A way to stop the insanity and lessen the pain: A reformed Chiefaholic's advice

[Yosef_Malkovitch]

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EDIT: I originally posted this after watching the Chiefs blow a 28-point lead in the latest playoff defeat. Given some of the sentiment I've seen on the board today, I thought this might be a good time for a bump.

Most people here don't know me, I've been around since day 1 (literally) of CP, but I almost always just lurk b/c I don't have much to add to the discussion. However, given how much pain this franchise caused me up until 2006, and given how much the advice below helped me live a much happier life during football season, I thought I might throw my 2 cents in.
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I was originally going to post this in one of the numerous “I’m so crushed I no longer care that much” threads, but I thought it might get lost there. I want to pass along some advice that was given to me on this very board many years ago, advice that really changed my life (at least from September through January).

A number of years ago a very wise poster on this board advised me to just turn down my level of caring. I wish I could remember who it was, but he said that if you do that, you can still enjoy the wins but the losses won't get you so much.

I did that over the course of about 8 years starting with the No Punt Game.

I have to say, it's really nice. If you can pull it off, then when the Chiefs win it's a nice bonus for your day but if they lose you just shrug and go on about your business.

Yesterday I spent the commercial breaks doing some work on my laptop and chatting with the guy sitting across from me in the McDonald's where we were watching it. At 38-10 he said, "Well I guess that's the game, huh?" and my response--one borne from years of pain at the hands of this franchise--was to say, "Not with the Chiefs. If anyone can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it's this team."

Then, when Smith fumbled and the Colts recovered, I just chuckled and told him, "I've seen this song and dance before." Every time Luck completed a pass to a receiver who had no KC player anywhere within 5 yards of him, I shook my head and wondered how some people keep their jobs, but I can't say I was ever really upset about it.

After Bowe was ruled out of bounds I didn't even have much of a reaction, honestly. I just turned back to my laptop and finished what I was working on.

It was nice to not be so vested in this team that the loss ruined my day. I remember many times (such as the 1995 playoff debacle) when I was in agony for days--WEEKS--afterwards. I remember one time punching the floor so hard that I damaged something in my hand and couldn't grip well for several weeks.

Not anymore. Whoever that wise poster was, he saved me from this franchise. I still lurk here all the time, and I listen to the games on the radio while I'm working in the yard or around the house, but I rarely dedicate an entire 3.5 hour block to sitting down and watching a game. The exception is the playoffs; I figure that’s still worth spending the time/effort to watch, although I will try to do something productive during commercials, etc. so I don’t feel like I’ve lost so much if (when) the Chiefs choke again.

I used to be one of the most avid fans. I knew every player’s history, strengths and weaknesses, etc. I kept up on all the details of all the games going on around the league that might in some small way affect the Chiefs. I analyzed every facet of upcoming games and could rattle off various statistics at the drop of a hat. And I was utterly and completely crushed when the Chiefs lost key games over and over again. Such devotion absolutely took a toll on me: the frustration, the anger, even the fights it would cause in my personal life after yet another showing of ineptitude by the Chiefs.

Gaz one time wrote about being speechless with rage. I was right there with him. And then, after the No Punt Game, I realized my life is so much more than just following a group of very wealthy athletes (many of whom I truly believe care less than the fans do) drop game after game, year after year.

The result is I've been able to enjoy the good times and just shake my head and chuckle at the truly awful times. The lack of stress has been wonderful, and I'm no longer so crushed by the latest disaster to come out of KC. I’m attached enough to enjoy the success, but I’m detached enough that the absolute failure doesn’t get to me that much.

Maybe it's time for some of us on this board to try to follow that poster's advice. Many already have, judging from what I've read the last 21 hours.

If you haven't done so already, maybe you should just sit back and consider where football really ranks in your life. Regardless of what happens on Sunday afternoon, it's not going to change your life that much. You’re not going to get a raise or a promotion if they win, and you’re not going to lose your job if they lose. It’s just a game, a way to pass a few hours on Sunday afternoons.

The outcome of a game won’t change your life one way or the other. After the game is over, go for a walk. Have a nice dinner with your family. Make love to your significant other. Read a book. Go to a movie. Play catch with the dog. Spend time with the kids. These are the important things in your life, and none of them are in the slightest bit affected by whether the Chiefs win or lose a game.

Of course I know some people will deride me as a heretic for suggesting that maybe KC Chiefs football isn’t and shouldn’t be the focal point of our lives, but hey, I’m just sharing what was shared with me many years ago. It really helped me. I still enjoy the wins but the losses don’t leave me feeling sick in the pit of my stomach like they used to.

Just a thought.



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TL;DR: I used to passionately follow the Chiefs until someone on the board suggested that I not care so much about it. Over several years I’ve slowly adjusted my level of caring and now I can still enjoy the wins but the losses don’t crush me the way they used to. Try it, if you can, it’s actually pretty enjoyable.
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[Iowanian]

Last night, wearing Red on Red, the Chiefs were so bad, instead of that stupid 7 Nation chant, the crowd should have sung the Rains of Castamere.

Red on Red Wedding.

[Boise_Chief]

I remember the thread, some of the best advice ever from Cp. I'm glad I am not the only person to take it to heart. Wish I could find the thread to give them their due. Wss it Jim?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Really? Honestly want to know why.

That was the Bills game, bro.

Seems like a year ago.

[Simply Red]

I like OP - but honestly I have no idea who you are or how you could have 2k plus posts.

Did you have a different user name at one point?

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Yosef_Malkovitch

Yep, I had (have) a young daughter who needed a place to play, and I wanted someplace I could get some work done at the same time so I needed wifi and electricity.

I learned long ago to at least try to do something productive during the games so if (when) there is an implosion I won't feel like it was a complete waste of time.

So your daughter doesn't have toys to play with at home? And you don't have wifi or electricity at your house?

[Boise_Chief]

Originally Posted by Simply Red

I like OP - but honestly I have no idea who you are or how you could have 2k plus posts.

Did you have a different user name at one point?

He is one of the Founding members that came over from the Star bb. He used to post more but like myself is content to sit back and lurk.

[Yosef_Malkovitch]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

So your daughter doesn't have toys to play with at home? And you don't have wifi or electricity at your house?

Of course she does. But she's an only child and she likes to play with other kids. so taking her to McDonalds for the play place has been my thing for about 5 years now. She gets to play with other kids & I get to get some work done.

[Yosef_Malkovitch]

Originally Posted by Boise_Chief

I remember the thread, some of the best advice ever from Cp. I'm glad I am not the only person to take it to heart. Wish I could find the thread to give them their due. Wss it Jim?

It may have been Jim/Logical. It sounds like something he would say, but I can't remember for sure who it was.

[Yosef_Malkovitch]

Originally Posted by Boise_Chief

He is one of the Founding members that came over from the Star bb. He used to post more but like myself is content to sit back and lurk.

Yep, I was the 8th person to register. Been hanging around (mostly lurking) ever since. I never changed my handle, I just don't post very much at all.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

This is a really nice thread.










Too bad I've already murdered my whole god damn family last night !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by stevieray

I went down to the lower bowl to hang with Arrowman..five minutes left in the game...

...and he was gone. dude never leaves early, until last night...

I remember flipping back to the game during a commercial break from a movie and seeing just how empty Arrowhead was in the 3rd... sad sad sad, I dont blame anyone for leaving early or turning the game off early.

It wasnt nearly as close as the score made it look.

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Yosef_Malkovitch

Yep, I was the 8th person to register. Been hanging around (mostly lurking) ever since. I never changed my handle, I just don't post very much at all.

Ok cool - nice to have met you. I'm Simply Red - Most of the OG's from the Star really like me.

[Simply Red]

& my football takes.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

It wasnt nearly as close as the score made it look.

I honestly believe Manning could have scored 40 on us every game the last two years if he had wanted to.

But our offense is threatless, so he just runs clock.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Count Alex's Wins

I honestly believe Manning could have scored 40 on us every game the last two years if he had wanted to.

But our offense is threatless, so he just runs clock.

I was genuinely surprised to find out they didnt get past 29 points, figured they'd wanna twist the knife a bit.

[Fairplay]

The Donks knew we sucked and flipped us the bird with that fake punt play, they had 4th and nine yards and they called that play, pretty ballsy call unless you're playing Chiefs.