Ten Things About Super Bowl LIV: KC 31 SF 20

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About our 2019 Super Bowl Championship Game: KC 31 SF 20

10. This morning I woke up after a particularly restless night. Tossing and turning and seeing Elway and Rapistburger and Five Head and Brady in my shadow dreams. Got up around sunrise, and got to my well established game day routine. Hot shower and shave. My Chiefs flag (around 30 years old now) flown from the front porch. Coffee in the lucky game day coffee cup I’ve had since 1980. Set up the DVR to record everything. At 10am while puttering around the house I recorded Bill Grigsby and Bruce Rice doing the Super Bowl IV broadcast. I took the trash out around noon. These two kids were playing in the back yard a couple of yards over. There was a girl about 10 years old and her little brother, probably 7 or 8 years old. The girl took the football, swept right and ran down the fence line to the end of the yard while her little brother chased her. She spiked the football and yelled “Touchdown…Kansas…City!!!” I just watched for awhile and smiled. See, I still live in the house I grew up in as a kid. I vividly remember the 1970 game 50 years ago. It was a very cold day, and I watched the game with my dad with a fire in the fireplace. He whooped and hollered and cheered after the game, I went down to the end of our block. There’s a little lake at the base of the hill, and I went down and played hockey under the streetlights and a bonfire somebody made by the lake side. Today I watched the game with the lovely Mrs. B, the next door neighbor -our families have lived next door to each other for more than 60 years- my best man Gary and good friend from high school Eric. And it was in the very same living room that I watched the 1970 game with my dad. 50 years in the making. 50 years.

9. In 1985, I had to work some voodoo like mojo to help the Royals rally to beat the Cardinals. One important thing was to put some Gates BBQ sauce in a little cup on the mantle before Game 7. Today I put a little in the same spot on the fireplace mantle, and also put Gates in the crock pot with the little meatballs. We also had some cheese dip and chips, and Jambalaya as a salute to our last win in New Orleans. I did several whiskey shots in the afternoon while getting all the food together, but quit drinking about an hour before game time because I wanted to be clear headed enough to process everything. During the course of the game, I was thinking to myself I wasn’t really enjoying this thing all that much. I know I told myself earlier in the week it was just great to be in the big game. But man, if we’re going to go this far, why not win the damn thing? I thought most of the commercials sucked. Halftime sucked. Third Quarter sucked. Then the Chiefs do what the Chiefs do and scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to sprint to victory. I’ll admit, when the Chiefs were only up by four, I was so nervous I had to go to the basement and do a load of laundry. Had to return to the basement again a few minutes later to not jinx them at the two minute warning. Then Fuller got his pick. When you have Chiefs PTSD like I do, you just have to do what you have to do. My dad did the same thing back in his day. He’d even walk around the block if need be. But the thing I’ve finally realized is with Mahomes you don’t have to watch scared anymore. This was not even close to his best effort, and he was still the Super Bowl MVP. I think Damien Williams actually deserved the honor, but I’m sure both of them would tell you winning is the only thing that mattered. An old saying is "Everybody Looks Good at the Starting Line."

8. Chiefs are the first team to come back from a ten point deficit in each of their playoff games to win an NFL Worlds Championship. That alone makes this team legendary. Another thing that came to my mind was this: This was the perfect FU to San Francisco for the 2014 World Series. We were 90 feet away from tying up game seven and Salvy Perez fouls out to third. Niners were one final quarter away from a Super Bowl Championship, up by two possessions, and got shut down 21 points to zip in the quarter that matters most. Paybacks are a bitch. Add this to another historic KC misery reversed and vanquished. Not to mention all the retread SF QBs we lived through...

7. The game itself, well, haven’t really processed it all just yet. Initial reactions: Pundits (I’m looking at YOU Trent Dilfer) said Niners rushing game would crush KC. Leading rusher in the Super Bowl? Damien Williams with 104 yards. Mostert held to 58 yards. Jimmy G threw for just over 200 yards but had two costly picks and a QBR of 40.6. Not good. He was especially bad in the fourth quarter. Mahomes played maybe his worst game of the season - had two picks, sacked four times and a QBR of 61.6. But the ability to rally the team and lead a furious comeback in the fourth quarter is what WORLD CHAMPION LEADERS DO. I don’t think I’ll be dreaming about those other ghosts tonight.

6. Kudos to Watkins during the playoffs for his clutch receiving. People bagged on him the last two years and deservedly so, for production related to paycheck. But without him we don’t bring home this Lombardi trophy. Hill had over 100 including a 44 yard grab that swung momentum, and Kelce had several big catches and a TD. Damien Williams…man, what can you say about that guy? I can’t imagine if Kareem Hunt would have stuck and not been an immature bone head, that he would have been any better than Williams in this game. He was clutch both rushing and receiving, and did to the Niners what they had done to all the teams they defeated to get to Miami. Always great to fight fire with fire.

5. One thing I noticed during this whole playoff run: Every team we played felt like they had to throw the kitchen sink at us. Every gadget play like flea flickers, halfback option passes, wildcat, crazy end around stuff, fake punts, etc. Just seemed to me like every team we played, played in fear of KCs quick strike capability. And they were afraid for good reason. It’s the real deal. Just amazing resiliency this year. Stuff of legend.

4. I heard from a lot of people how they were pulling for Andy Reid. I’m so happy Andy won this one. It’s the game Marty and Vermeil could never get us to. I think the stat I saw said Andy coached 21 years in the NFL before he finally won it all. I think about all the guys from the 1970 team that made it to Canton. I think Andy’s a lock now. I also think Mahomes, Kelce, Schwartz, Hill, Matthieu, Clark and Jones all have shots at someday making it, especially if we get on a roll and do this a few more times during this current window. I was joking with my friend Gary that we always said we hoped we’d live long enough to see this day. Now that this day is done, neither of us is in any hurry to die just yet. Our next goal is to become arrogant, entitled asshole fans. You know, like Patriot fans!

3. I heard one of the sports commentators say that they estimated the crowd was about 70% Chiefs fans. I’m so glad Twisted Chief was able to cap off this season by being there. He’s done so many nice things for others in the past years that nobody deserves being rewarded more. He’s going to be a new dad in a few weeks. What an awesome year. Just so happy for him. Life doesn’t get any better.

2. So, the schools are announcing closure for Wednesday when the big parade is going to happen. It may snow the night before and morning of. Initial estimates say that a million and a half people may show up. The ceremony will be in front of Union Station, just like the Royals World Series Victory Parade in 2015. Definite route won’t be announced until Tuesday, but it’s sure to be, well, a party the likes this city has never seen. And the one in 2015 was massive and magical. Cold and snow won't bother us. We're Chiefs fans!

1. I wish I had more eloquent words this evening, but I’m just awestruck and so happy and grateful. You know, I don’t believe in petitioning the Lord in prayer over sporting events, but I’ll admit I did say a little prayer at the beginning of the fourth quarter. My prayer was answered I think. Or it may have been assisted by the souls of those fans who escaped this mortal coil without getting to see this day on Earth. Maybe that’s crazy thinking, but I can’t help but think things happen for a reason. Faith is a real thing. Faith rewarded after 50 years is a magical thing. What a great day in the history of this city. Nobody deserves it more than we do.

Thank you all so much for your kindness, encouragement and your comments over the past years reading and reacting to the Ten Things. I may ride off into the sunset after this one. Haven’t made up my mind yet, but this would be a good place for me to step off. Not getting any younger, y'know...

Regardless, its been my pleasure sharing my thoughts, observations and rants with you all. Sincerest Congratulations to the Hunt Family, Andy Reid, our beloved players past and present and to all the awesome Fans of Chiefs Kingdom and the CP. It’s a day we’ll all remember forever.

[Bearcat]

It's so surreal.... and impossible to explain to people how freakin' improbable that comeback seemed.

24-0 to the Texans... meh, plenty of time left.

10-0 and 17-7 to the Titans... meh, it's the Titans.

They were working so freakin' hard last night for first downs into the 4th quarter, then another turnover.... then BOOM, 21 points.

It's right up there with Royals/Astros in 2015.... known for improbable comebacks, but holy shit.

It's hard to put into words.

[mlyonsd]

Head is clearing. Still can't believe it.

[Valiant]

Has there been in audio or interviews with the players on how the chiefs fans showed up. Sf was loud. But when you heard the chiefs come out it exploded another couple levels. Then the home of the chiefs was deafening on our tv.
Goose bumps.

[PHOG]

Great read! And may this be just the start of a Chiefs run!

[gblowfish]

This is so freakin' awesome. Fireworks in KC were so thick last night it showed up on weather radar!
https://www.kmbc.com/article/firewor...i3Jr6IOsgzt3kg

[Buehler445]

With some time to reflect, George, this is the Perfect 10 things. Absolutely perfect.

Sometimes a dive into the stat sheets is important, sometimes a look at the players on the sideline. Sometimes a study of coaching.

This one needed to be a wider look of taking it all in. There is so much. Between all the hogshit losses where we were the better team, all the down years, all the shit, all everything. A comprehensive review would make War and Peace look like a "Brown Bear Brown bear what do you see?" book.

As per usual, you find the appropriate perspective with which to view the game.

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Doesn't it feel great?! It will feel even better if you do it again.

It feels pretty damned good, BEP.

You know what though? My buddy texted me after the game, and said, "So this is what other teams feel like." I don't think they do. I can't think of another fan base that has blown it in as many creative and unique ways as the chiefs. From the no punt game to the Lin Elliot game (**** you bitches, the curse is broken), Grbac over Gannon, Indy Debacle, Forward Progress, Goddamned Dee Ford, and the list goes on and on. And that's just blowing it when we're the better team, that's not to talk about the Squirmin Herman Mother****ing Sack of **** Edwards and Scott Franchise Killer Pioli eras. (I wasn't around for the Steadman times). I'd bet a pretty sizable amount of money that it feels different for us than other franchises.

I mean, sure Cleveland has their troubles, but it's been so damned long since they've been relevant, that it's a different feeling.

Dallas sucks ass, but have you met their fans? They wouldn't feel it like we do.

Atlanta has had some bad luck, but at least they were winning playoff games in the last 20 years.

Detroit has considerable futility, but they didn't lose games they should have won. They should have lost most of those. And Barry Sanders single highhandedly won a bunch of game they shouldn't have won.

Jets are in a bad way, but they were in back to back AFCCG. They can **** right off.

A championship is a championship. And we have those feelings, but there are feelings here that I'm guessing other franchises don't have.

A second one would be awesome, but I'm guessing nowhere near this type of emotion.

[burt]

George,

This year I had a almost football sized tumor removed leaving a 20 inch scar on my left cheek. I wake up early 3 days a week to go to Cardio Rehab. They found 6 blockages in my arteries from 40% to 75%. They say I am too far gone for stints but I am "too young" to want to do bypass surgery, so using drugs, exercise and diet, we are trying to put off that eventuality. I know that many on our board have had bypass....but I heard, "Take care of yourself until you have a massive heart attack. If that doesn't kill you, we will do bypass then."

I will keep up drugs, diet and exercise.....IF YOU KEEP DOING 10 THINGS!

Thank you in advance!

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

This is so freakin' awesome. Fireworks in KC were so thick last night it showed up on weather radar!
https://www.kmbc.com/article/firewor...i3Jr6IOsgzt3kg

Awesome!

There were a few here, and naturally people were bitching about it on facebook.

[farmerchief]

Well done, George!

[Bwana]

Very well done George, they finally did it!

[Halfcan]

Great job. It feels like a curse has been lifted. I have never seen a QB like Mahomes, he fought to the end.

[gblowfish]

This Morning's KC Star:

[gblowfish]

Meanwhile, the Niner fans are crying in their beer. Before their wails reach KC, let me just say this:

• Kittle pushed off. It was a good call.

• Niners got away with several facemask penalties, including on Mahomes and on Tyreek Hill.

• Niners dropped a couple of pick opportunities.

• Niners had terrible clock management in the first half.

• Niners has a ten point lead with eight minutes left.

• Refs were letting both teams play. Penalty count for both teams was under 50 yards.

• When you don't tackle the running back, you lose. See Chiefs V Green Bay, Chiefs V Indy, Chiefs V Houston in the regular season.

• Jimmy G was awful in the fourth quarter. Missed a wide open guy in the end zone. That's a pass Mahomes hits.

• You have Dee Ford. You can't win with Dee Ford.

I don't hate the Niners. You know, when I was a kid I always hated Green Bay because they beat us in Super Bowl I. Now I realize you don't have a game without an opponent. Niners had a great year. Their future is bright. It just wasn't their time. It was OUR time.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

This is so freakin' awesome. Fireworks in KC were so thick last night it showed up on weather radar!
https://www.kmbc.com/article/firewor...i3Jr6IOsgzt3kg

Can confirm. Saw them at a distance, and was driving back up north, there was a fog-like smoke around the area.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

It's so surreal.... and impossible to explain to people how freakin' improbable that comeback seemed.

24-0 to the Texans... meh, plenty of time left.

10-0 and 17-7 to the Titans... meh, it's the Titans.

They were working so freakin' hard last night for first downs into the 4th quarter, then another turnover.... then BOOM, 21 points.

It's right up there with Royals/Astros in 2015.... known for improbable comebacks, but holy shit.

It's hard to put into words.

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, with a 20-10 lead and 7:17 left to play, the 49ers had a 96.1% chance to win the game.