Whitlock - Don't laugh, your team may be next (stands up for us again)

[Hammock Parties]

Don't laugh, your team may be next

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/w...be-next-101512

Don’t ridicule Kansas City Chiefs fans. One day soon, you could be in their position, a punch line for uninformed, unsympathetic national media, reduced to begging ownership to act responsibly and fairly, the target of scorn from the very athletes you support, forced to finance your own public-relations campaign.

This is where professional sports are headed. The disconnect between local fans and the franchises they love is being powered and accelerated by multi-billion-dollar TV contracts and the billions of ancillary dollars generated by video games and whatnot.

The guy in the cheap seats never mattered. We’re getting to the point, especially in the NFL, where no one in the stadium matters. It’s virtually impossible for an NFL franchise to fail and/or lose money. Before anyone has purchased a season ticket, NFL teams are swimming in enough cash to feed most third-world countries.

That’s why Chiefs right tackle Eric Winston got away with slandering a loyal fan base. That’s why the national media delighted in Winston’s ridiculous exaggeration. And that’s why we opened Sunday morning with a news story that Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli had received a two-year contract extension despite a Matt Millen Lite, four-year run in Kansas City.

You remember Matt Millen, right? Many of you laughed at Detroit Lions fans and their Millen Man March to remove their in-over-their-head team president. Millen, despite his ineptitude, was a Supreme Court justice in Detroit. He led the Lions for eight years primarily because there’s nothing an NFL executive can do to financially damage a franchise.

Cincinnati owner Mike Brown has been trying to destroy the Bengals for two decades. He can’t do it.

At some point, Bengals fans will reach the level of frustration that motivated Lions fans to take to the streets and Chiefs fans to voice displeasure at Arrowhead Stadium.

Fans don’t have a voice in the mainstream media. That should be clear in the aftermath of the Eric Winston-Matt Cassel-Chiefs fans controversy. The mainstream media are in bed with ownership and athletes, the people media believe they need. Athletes and media believe fans are stupid and unworthy of genuine respect. We think it’s a waste of time to look at things from the perspective of the average sports fan.

Let’s apply the bogus logic Winston applied to fans to athletes. Winston claimed that if only a few hundred Chiefs fans cheered when Cassel got hurt that it was still too many and it was still sickening and disgusting. Basically, he’s saying if one percent of the fan base does something inappropriate, it’s worthy of passionate public rebuke and the vilification of an entire fan base.

So if one percent of professional football players run afoul of the law, should we vilify all NFL players? Or would that be an unfair generalization? What’s more dangerous, a few cheers when a hometown player gets his clock cleaned or an NFL player driving while drunk? One act leads to potential hurt feelings, the other leads to possible death.

The media and the ex-jocks pretending to be media on TV were having such a fun time beating up on fans that no one applied any critical thinking to Winston’s opportunistic stupidity.

Not only do fans not have a voice, they’re despised and abused.

Winston’s whiny, inaccurate rant about the alleged behavior of a handful of Chiefs fans became a national talking point. Well, the story is what has made this fan base this angry. It’s the lack of accountability for ownership and management throughout the NFL (and professional sports). As more and more television money pours into professional sports leagues the less power true sports fans have. We’re not changing the channel. Sports is the only TV product that is DVR-proof.

An NFL franchise is the perfect investment. It makes the owner and his front-office cronies the most powerful and important people in any city. They’re untouchable.

No player in NFL history had an eight-year run of incompetence that could rival Millen’s. Why would a $3-million-a-year executive face less performance pressure than a $500,000 special-teams player? How could the Chiefs even consider giving Scott Pioli a contract extension?

I’m aware the original report about Pioli’s extension was refuted later in the day Sunday. But I don’t believe Jason La Canfora of CBS reported sketchy information. I believe Tampa Bay’s 38-10 thumping of Kansas City made the Chiefs walk back the leaked information.

Clark Hunt isn’t stupid. Kansas City’s fan base is frustrated and motivated. A group of fans started a Twitter feed @saveourchiefs dedicated to getting Scott Pioli fired. In two weeks, the feed has amassed 73,000 followers. Last week the group flew a banner over Arrowhead Stadium demanding that Pioli be fired and Cassel be benched. They’re planning more activity for KC’s next home game on Oct. 28. (I donated $600 to their cause. I’m a Chiefs fan.)

Extending Pioli at this time would further motivate an already-active fan base. The fan base has taken to social media to educate local and national media about what has been going on with Chiefs football the last two decades and the lengthy list of errors Pioli has made in four years. They’re tired of reading the propaganda pumped out by Pioli’s partners in the mainstream media.

Don't laugh at their desperation. Don't harshly judge their missteps. You could be next.

[stevieray]

Thank you, Jason!

....money has ruined this game..remember when Jimmy raye predicted it would be gone in 20 years?

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

What are YOU doing to help change the situation? You're wonderful at back seat driving, that's for sure. Get off your ****ing high horse, "honey" and let us know what you're contributing.

Well, for starters I admitted there was NOTHING as a fan I could do to fix the Chiefs and if it truly makes me unhappy the one thing I can do is walk away. Make peace with knowing it's out of your control. Like I did with politics. This is actually an empowering admission. Then decide how you want to proceed. I walked away from politics. Completely.

You can find something that you enjoy about the hobby (which it is since few of us make a living participating) or you can walk away. I love watching NFL football, period. Even bad football is better than 95% of the other crap on tv out there. So watching the horrible Chiefs still brings me more enjoyment than say watching Honey PooPoo or the Kardashians.

I don't spend much money on the team anymore since I don't want the Hunt's pockets any deeper. We go to games if we get free tickets. I found a job on Sundays where I can listen to the game while I get paid. I buy gear severely discounted (see Amazon.com). I still enjoy sitting around the tv with my family, drinking beer, eating junk food, and watching a game. Sometimes it's the only time together we get for the week.

Does any of this help fix the Chiefs? Nope, but I go full circle back to my realization that NOTHING I CAN DO WILL FIX THE CHIEFS. Might as well make the best of the situation or walk away. Those are the choices.

[Iowanian]

...and interestingly enough you've essentially been gone from here and only show up with your snail trail of shame when the team stinks worse than seat of your 1985 Toyota.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

It was kind of a tough spot for Clark. The 3 options were:

1) Get rid of Pioli. Basically tear down everything after 3 years and begin anew. The Hunt family is very patient and that is something they likely wouldn't do.

2) Let Pioli completely clean house. He could have gone outside of RC and cleaned house but then you basically have to give Pioli another 3 years. You have to let the "new" HC have some time developing the team. If you are beginning to question the first 3 years of Pioli, giving him another 3 doesn't seem very wise.

3) Let Pioli continue to build the "new england model" that he originally came to KC with and let him promote RC who the players played hard for the last 3 games of the year. This option probably gives Pioli the shortest leash of all three because there is continuity with the staff and vision. IMO, it is easier to evaluate and get rid of SP in the shortest amount of time with this option.

I see what you are saying, but option three is repeating the same mistake again. It had been repeated before, now you are doing it again and expecting different results. Insanity.

He should have had him find another HC, and DC. RC shouldn't have been given the job, just for the fact that he gave them an ultimatum.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

...and interestingly enough you've essentially been gone from here and only show up with your snail trail of shame when the team stinks worse than seat of your 1985 Toyota.

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Well, for starters I admitted there was NOTHING as a fan I could do to fix the Chiefs and if it truly makes me unhappy the one thing I can do is walk away. Make peace with knowing it's out of your control. Like I did with politics. This is actually an empowering admission. Then decide how you want to proceed. I walked away from politics. Completely.

You can find something that you enjoy about the hobby (which it is since few of us make a living participating) or you can walk away. I love watching NFL football, period. Even bad football is better than 95% of the other crap on tv out there. So watching the horrible Chiefs still brings me more enjoyment than say watching Honey PooPoo or the Kardashians.

I don't spend much money on the team anymore since I don't want the Hunt's pockets any deeper. We go to games if we get free tickets. I found a job on Sundays where I can listen to the game while I get paid. I buy gear severely discounted (see Amazon.com). I still enjoy sitting around the tv with my family, drinking beer, eating junk food, and watching a game. Sometimes it's the only time together we get for the week.

Does any of this help fix the Chiefs? Nope, but I go full circle back to my realization that NOTHING I CAN DO WILL FIX THE CHIEFS. Might as well make the best of the situation or walk away. Those are the choices.

You walked away from the Chiefs years ago.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Well, for starters I admitted there was NOTHING as a fan I could do to fix the Chiefs and if it truly makes me unhappy the one thing I can do is walk away. Make peace with knowing it's out of your control. Like I did with politics. This is actually an empowering admission. Then decide how you want to proceed. I walked away from politics. Completely.

You can find something that you enjoy about the hobby (which it is since few of us make a living participating) or you can walk away. I love watching NFL football, period. Even bad football is better than 95% of the other crap on tv out there. So watching the horrible Chiefs still brings me more enjoyment than say watching Honey PooPoo or the Kardashians.

I don't spend much money on the team anymore since I don't want the Hunt's pockets any deeper. We go to games if we get free tickets. I found a job on Sundays where I can listen to the game while I get paid. I buy gear severely discounted (see Amazon.com). I still enjoy sitting around the tv with my family, drinking beer, eating junk food, and watching a game. Sometimes it's the only time together we get for the week.

Does any of this help fix the Chiefs? Nope, but I go full circle back to my realization that NOTHING I CAN DO WILL FIX THE CHIEFS. Might as well make the best of the situation or walk away. Those are the choices.

Enough of this shit. Welcome to ignore bitch!

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Oh honey, if I wanted to champion a cause I'd be savvy enough to not pick Jason Whitlock to do it.

I mean, how long until we get the Chiefs fan hair column or small peter twitter?

Everybody already knows you have a small penis, Denise. I'll bet it was frustrating for you listening to Ian Eagle talk yesterday because if he'd just shut up Rich Gannon could be speaking... You're a real cupcake. We can always depend on you to be anti-Chiefs fan no matter the cause.

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Everybody already knows you have a small penis, Denise. I'll bet it was frustrating for you listening to Ian Eagle talk yesterday because if he'd just shut up Rich Gannon could be speaking... You're a real cupcake. We can always depend on you to be anti-Chiefs fan no matter the cause.

Whatever, if teaming up with Jason Whitlock is what is needed to save the fan base or the Chiefs then this team is on an inconceivable plunge to hell. One that makes the Titanic look like a fender bender.

I think it's more productive and positive to speak for ourselves. Lose the national spokesperson who is best known for speaking up himself. Stay proud and keep this place on the list of desirable destinations for people who look around the franchise and see shit EVERYWHERE....

except the fan base. At least give potential players, coaches, and management something to build on. That doesn't mean shutting up and towing the line. That means refusing to let Jason Whitlock or Eric Winston, or anyone else define the fan base. Both of these men took negatives of which the fan base was beyond willing to accept and make them fact.

[KCDC]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Well, for starters I admitted there was NOTHING as a fan I could do to fix the Chiefs and if it truly makes me unhappy the one thing I can do is walk away. Make peace with knowing it's out of your control. Like I did with politics. This is actually an empowering admission. Then decide how you want to proceed. I walked away from politics. Completely.

You can find something that you enjoy about the hobby (which it is since few of us make a living participating) or you can walk away. I love watching NFL football, period. Even bad football is better than 95% of the other crap on tv out there. So watching the horrible Chiefs still brings me more enjoyment than say watching Honey PooPoo or the Kardashians.

I don't spend much money on the team anymore since I don't want the Hunt's pockets any deeper. We go to games if we get free tickets. I found a job on Sundays where I can listen to the game while I get paid. I buy gear severely discounted (see Amazon.com). I still enjoy sitting around the tv with my family, drinking beer, eating junk food, and watching a game. Sometimes it's the only time together we get for the week.

Does any of this help fix the Chiefs? Nope, but I go full circle back to my realization that NOTHING I CAN DO WILL FIX THE CHIEFS. Might as well make the best of the situation or walk away. Those are the choices.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." Thomas Jefferson

It is your choice to be quiet on politics and now sports. Then, do not criticize those who refuse to accept the tyranny of KC fan abuse. Do not dismiss their leaders and spokespersons because they have their own agendas to feed as well. Instead, applaud those with the courage to speak up in a world all too full with sheep willing to be led.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Everybody already knows you have a small penis, Denise. I'll bet it was frustrating for you listening to Ian Eagle talk yesterday because if he'd just shut up Rich Gannon could be speaking... You're a real cupcake. We can always depend on you to be anti-Chiefs fan no matter the cause.

The next time the authorities show up for them won't **** up the warrant...

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Guess I'm not a fan of setting ourselves on fire just to get noticed about how miserable, pathetic, and mistreated we supposedly are. Who wants that image out in the media? I prefer the misunderstood yet proud fan base.

Definitely not a fan of elevating Jason Whitlock to franchise/fan base savior.

You would rather be seen as the Cubs fans of the NFL than fans who actually get it and are taking a stand? The whole point of Whitlock's article is there's nothing fans can do (and the Chiefs are just one example... see the NHL lockout, NBA lockout, etc), and a big part of the saveourchiefs.com is to hit them where it hurt$, and that can't be done without a lot of media attention first.

It's not like we want to drive to St Louis to watch the Rams, much less find a gameday atmosphere in the country that beat Arrowhead in the 90s. We want it back.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by KCDC

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." Thomas Jefferson

It is your choice to be quiet on politics and now sports. Then, do not criticize those who refuse to accept the tyranny of KC fan abuse. Do not dismiss their leaders and spokespersons because they have their own agendas to feed as well. Instead, applaud those with the courage to speak up in a world all too full with sheep willing to be led.

There is no "ourselves" Denise. There are Chiefs fans and then there is you. You don't have to worry about getting lumped in with anything wearing a black #12 jersey around town.

[HemiEd]

I will be the first to admit, I have a history of not caring much for Jason's messages. But I like this one, and the way he is carrying it out.