Chiefs Alex Smith: Thank you, Kansas City

siberian khatru · 03-13-2018, 08:45 AM

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/al...ins-thank-you/

Quote:

Going into this past season, I pretty much knew.

I mean, I had to know, right? With everything I’ve experienced so far in my career, I probably understand the “business” of football as well as anyone. And trading up to take a quarterback in the draft isn’t exactly a subtle move as to the future of a franchise. It was pretty obvious what that meant for me.

But I still had a job to do.

So I put the blinders on and locked in, because I couldn’t let whatever might happen to me distract from the team’s goal of winning the Super Bowl.

After that, I don’t think I thought about my future again until after the playoff loss to the Titans. I woke up that next morning disappointed that our season was over and that we fell short of our ultimate goal. But I also woke up with the uncertainty about what the future might hold for my family and me.

Quote:

I’m going to miss pulling into Arrowhead and snaking through the thousands of tailgaters that make up Chiefs Kingdom.

As a quarterback, you arrive to the stadium pretty early on game day. And when I’d get to Arrowhead, the parking lot would already be full. Honestly, if you show up to tailgate in Kansas City at 8:30 a.m., you’re already late to the party.

And I can tell you that after 13 seasons and playing in nearly every NFL stadium, not every city is like that.

Just seeing how dedicated Chiefs fans are, it always instilled a sense of pride in me to put on that jersey and go out and play for them. I don’t think that’s always the case in pro sports, and I never took that for granted during my five years in Kansas City. I’m going to miss that.

Quote:

Coach Reid called me during Super Bowl week and told me that the trade process had started. There were several teams interested and a lot of different scenarios, but everything pointed to Washington being the team.

And once everything had been agreed upon and the news became public, that’s when it really set in.

That’s when it became real.