Chiefs Why do we care so much? - Page 5

InChiefsHeaven · 01-10-2019, 10:33 AM

I've actually done a lot of thinking on this the last few years, and really the last few months.

I've been a Chiefs fan my whole life, though nobody in my family is. Back in the 70's my dad bought a poster for me and my brother's bedroom. It was a picture of an end zone pile up with the Chiefs and the Raiders. I guess I decided I liked the guys in Red, and I've never looked back.

I dealt with kids literally making fun of me in the 70s and 80s because the Chiefs sucked so bad. Then the 90s happened, and I guess it was redemption time, though it still ended in no championships.

I keep a schedule every year, I write the scores and my thoughts on the games. I just looked at the 2006 one where we lost to the...Colts...and read the final note I wrote: New Years Resolution...stop caring so much about the Chiefs...

...and for the most part, I have, a little anyway. I don't get nearly as involved in the draft as I used to, and I've actually had to miss a couple of games on TV because of other things going on...something that would have been unthinkable back in the day, when a loss meant literally 3 days of pissy-ness from me.

So I ask myself...why do I care so much? There is not one thing I can do to change how the Chiefs do play to play, game to game, season to season. And yet, I BLEED Chiefs red, hope reigns eternal every offseason and by the time the season rolls around, I'm feeling pretty good about our chances.

The question is...why oh why do we care so much about something that...at the end of the day, has no effect on our lives in any way shape or form, except the affect we allow it to have on our psyches.

This week, as I sit in anticipation of another Chiefs playoff game, and I think over in my head how great it will be if we win...I just wonder...why do I care so much?

Thoughts?

tooge · 01-10-2019, 06:47 PM

I think it’s a. Civic pride thing first and foremost. We’re not a big city. More like a big town. We are known for bbq, being friendly, midwestern values, etc. We want to be known as champions too. Toss in that it’s been so long since an NFL championship was in KC, and THAT is why we all care so much.

Mile High Mania · 01-10-2019, 07:32 PM

Well, I think we all have our own reasons as to why we cheer for and intensely follow a given team... there's a madness to it and it's taken to another level when you go to the extreme of posting on fan forums (even those not affilliated with your team of choice).

For me, Saturdays and Sundays were always me and my brother watching games with my dad. My dad is the greatest bandwagon fan of all-time and as he's approached 70 and all the BS of the last half decade, he's not as into the game.

We all had a mutual love for hating things related to Texas, thank you SWC days of college football and we loved watching the Steelers beat Dallas. I can't really point to 'the moment' when a 12 year old kid growing up in AR gravitated to the Broncos. They were typically the only option back in the 80s living in a Cowboys market. However it happened, I was hooked and after a few years - they have this fun QB and they're in SBs winning playoff games in grand fashion, albeit losing SBs in grander fashion.

Having gone through all that and going to college and being around fans of all other teams, it just became a thing. Every Sunday, we're watching games and giving guys shit for however their team did that week.

I think that's probably similar with most. Watching the game has either a deep family tie or a deep tie to friends. You watch these guys and you want to be them and some of us just become so addicted to being a fan, we end up following them relentlessly. I mean seriously... why in the hell do any of us park in front of a TV to watch the freaking draft?

As I've gotten older and the kids are more active... things aren't as extreme and I don't follow things like the draft, etc like I once did. However, that 12 year old kid is now a 48 year old father of 3 and there's still a rush with watching your team.

Late in HS and throughout college, I was that annoyingly loud fan that couldn't wait for my team to break the curse and win a title. Thankfully, they did and while I still get frustrated and crazy at times... and will post passive-aggressive antagonistic BS around here

... it's different.

I think a lot of you will be in the same boat very soon. You're going to have that SB winning itch scratched and things will be a bit calmer.

I think age has a lot to do with it too, as we all get older - you mellow out a bit and bullsh that drove us nuts in our late 20's and 30's doesn't mean as much (if anything at all) in our 40s. There's just too many other things going on.

But, at the end of the day - we're dudes (most of us) and becoming fanatical about our teams is what we do. Boards like this are our communal therapy sessions.

I continue to be impressed with those of you that buy season tickets, go the games regularly and buy all the gear... your years of fandom will pay off very soon. In the end, it's an escape from reality...

BlackOp · 01-10-2019, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CupidStunt

However, it also told me that the joy of winning does NOT equal or surpass the pain of losing, at least for me,

I've come to this conclusion also...it's borderline masochistic and has made me wonder why people partake in something where it really doesn't balance out.

Watching the guy in the Bears video was kind of frightening...just the full-on rage over losing a football game. Paying that much money for something that potentially evokes that level of unhappiness? Would he have been equally as happy if they had won...screaming for joy all the way to his car?

Winning a game makes you happy but not to that extreme. When KC finally won a WC by beating Houston it was cool...but nowhere near the opposite of losing a close playoff game.

I do think if KC wins the AFCCG....it will be a pretty damn exciting time but not nearly as depressing as will be losing it.

REDHOTGTO · 01-10-2019, 07:39 PM

funny, inchiefshell our lives seem very similar in many ways concerning the chiefs.
I lost a lot of care after letdown after letdown, I still cheer them on but I refuse to lose my mind if they lose in the playoffs, I just cant do it anymore.
so heres to a great game Saturday and havin a fun times with my buddies and if they lose well hopefully Sutton will get bitten by a black widow and die right after the game !!!!

**Bearcat** · 01-10-2019, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

And then Mahomes. Which creates hope like we've never had -- long-term hope. So I know if we lose Saturday, we'll still have Mahomes, maturing, for the next several years. He SHOULD make the difference, at some point.

But things aren't different until they're different. And I dread watching another playoff loss Saturday, knowing I probably have to go through this shit AGAIN next year.

Basically, I want to win Saturday just to put an end to this -- losing the first game, losing at home, losing to the Colts. Break the cycle.

Yeah, I was all but done with the Chiefs and the NFL until Mahomes got here.... and not like all the "I'm done" posts after every playoff loss, where people would basically sleep it off, but jaded as hell.

I'm at a crossroad of "it's different now!" because of Mahomes and like you said, long term hope..... and knowing that I've spent years here thinking and stating that mantra, it's not different until it's actually different, as in mid-late January victories.

So... while I still won't lose sleep if they lose, this is the most excited I've been about the Chiefs in a very long time.... like, 2003.

Graystoke · 01-10-2019, 08:21 PM

It’s who we were born to be.
Own it, you can’t change it.
Go ahead and tell yourself losses don’t effect you anymore, you know they do.
When you enter the Arena of being a Chiefs fan you inherently become vulnerable.

Chiefshrink · 01-10-2019, 09:23 PM

Because most people live vicariously instead of having "real lives".

GayFrogs · 01-10-2019, 09:46 PM

In other words, we're all reeruned.

PunkinDrublic · 01-11-2019, 01:44 AM

Rooting for the Chiefs and Royals has been one of the few consistent things in my life. People come in and out of your life, you move to different cities change jobs and lose family members as you grow older. When you grow up going to the K and Arrowhead and follow your teams into adulthood, it kind of gives you a sense of comfort.

I’m so shell shocked from our past playoff disappointments I’m bracing myself for it to happen again on Saturday. No matter how much I prepare for the disappointment, I still feel humiliated when we go one and done.

arrowheadnation · 01-11-2019, 03:36 AM

I used to get super tore up over Chiefs and KU losses, but 5 years ago my mom died and then it didn't seem to effect me near as much anymore. There are bigger things in life I guess. That being said, I will probably cry if they ever win a Super Bowl.

stevieray · 01-11-2019, 06:43 AM

Good question, and I found my self pondering this week as well.

I'll be 57 in a couple of months. I've followed the Chiefs for 50 years. That's crazy. I've bee dedicated to this team longer than anything else in my life.

For me, It's my home town, and my home town team. Plus I really love the game of football.

I'm proud to be from Kansas City. And proud to be a Chiefs fan.

I'm sure we tell ourselves we're due from all the misery and letdowns.

I really hope they can win tmrw. I want them to win this for all the Chiefs fans before us, and those who have passed.

...the fanbase is overdue

**notorious** · 01-11-2019, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

No matter how much I prepare for the disappointment, I still feel humiliated when we go one and done.

Don’t let these thing get you down, buddy. You have no control over it.

I will go through the entire emotional spectrum on Saturday during the game, but a few hours after I will be the same man as before win or lose.

InChiefsHeaven · 01-11-2019, 08:07 AM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has pondered this. It's funny, half of me believes there's no way we could lose this game, the other half thinks there's no way we will win. I have to keep in mind:

It's entertainment.
It doesn't affect my life, only my psyche, and only as much as I let it.
I do it because I like to be a part of something, even though I have no effect on what goes on.
God hates the Patriots. Heh.

GO CHIEFS!

Chiefs Pantalones · 01-11-2019, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Well, I think we all have our own reasons as to why we cheer for and intensely follow a given team... there's a madness to it and it's taken to another level when you go to the extreme of posting on fan forums (even those not affilliated with your team of choice).

For me, Saturdays and Sundays were always me and my brother watching games with my dad. My dad is the greatest bandwagon fan of all-time and as he's approached 70 and all the BS of the last half decade, he's not as into the game.

We all had a mutual love for hating things related to Texas, thank you SWC days of college football and we loved watching the Steelers beat Dallas. I can't really point to 'the moment' when a 12 year old kid growing up in AR gravitated to the Broncos. They were typically the only option back in the 80s living in a Cowboys market. However it happened, I was hooked and after a few years - they have this fun QB and they're in SBs winning playoff games in grand fashion, albeit losing SBs in grander fashion.

Having gone through all that and going to college and being around fans of all other teams, it just became a thing. Every Sunday, we're watching games and giving guys shit for however their team did that week.

I think that's probably similar with most. Watching the game has either a deep family tie or a deep tie to friends. You watch these guys and you want to be them and some of us just become so addicted to being a fan, we end up following them relentlessly. I mean seriously... why in the hell do any of us park in front of a TV to watch the freaking draft?

As I've gotten older and the kids are more active... things aren't as extreme and I don't follow things like the draft, etc like I once did. However, that 12 year old kid is now a 48 year old father of 3 and there's still a rush with watching your team.

Late in HS and throughout college, I was that annoyingly loud fan that couldn't wait for my team to break the curse and win a title. Thankfully, they did and while I still get frustrated and crazy at times... and will post passive-aggressive antagonistic BS around here

... it's different.

I think a lot of you will be in the same boat very soon. You're going to have that SB winning itch scratched and things will be a bit calmer.

I think age has a lot to do with it too, as we all get older - you mellow out a bit and bullsh that drove us nuts in our late 20's and 30's doesn't mean as much (if anything at all) in our 40s. There's just too many other things going on.

But, at the end of the day - we're dudes (most of us) and becoming fanatical about our teams is what we do. Boards like this are our communal therapy sessions.

I continue to be impressed with those of you that buy season tickets, go the games regularly and buy all the gear... your years of fandom will pay off very soon. In the end, it's an escape from reality...

Sorry, but if you’re not from the city, state or area your team is located in you can’t relate. Not saying you’re not a real fan, but it’s just different. 😁

MatriculatingHank · 01-11-2019, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs Pantalones

Sorry, but if you’re not from the city, state or area your team is located in you can’t relate. Not saying you’re not a real fan, but it’s just different. 😁

I'm 58 and have been a Chiefs fan since 1970. I live 9 hours away in North Mississippi.
Trust me..I RELATE.

01-10-2019, 10:33 AM
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3904937	Why do we care so much? I've actually done a lot of thinking on this the last few years, and really the last few months. I've been a Chiefs fan my whole life, though nobody in my family is. Back in the 70's my dad bought a poster for me and my brother's bedroom. It was a picture of an end zone pile up with the Chiefs and the Raiders. I guess I decided I liked the guys in Red, and I've never looked back. I dealt with kids literally making fun of me in the 70s and 80s because the Chiefs sucked so bad. Then the 90s happened, and I guess it was redemption time, though it still ended in no championships. I keep a schedule every year, I write the scores and my thoughts on the games. I just looked at the 2006 one where we lost to the...Colts...and read the final note I wrote: New Years Resolution...stop caring so much about the Chiefs... ...and for the most part, I have, a little anyway. I don't get nearly as involved in the draft as I used to, and I've actually had to miss a couple of games on TV because of other things going on...something that would have been unthinkable back in the day, when a loss meant literally 3 days of pissy-ness from me. So I ask myself...why do I care so much? There is not one thing I can do to change how the Chiefs do play to play, game to game, season to season. And yet, I BLEED Chiefs red, hope reigns eternal every offseason and by the time the season rolls around, I'm feeling pretty good about our chances. The question is...why oh why do we care so much about something that...at the end of the day, has no effect on our lives in any way shape or form, except the affect we allow it to have on our psyches. This week, as I sit in anticipation of another Chiefs playoff game, and I think over in my head how great it will be if we win...I just wonder...why do I care so much? Thoughts?
Posts: 25,716

01-10-2019, 06:47 PM	#61
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $3974112	I think it’s a. Civic pride thing first and foremost. We’re not a big city. More like a big town. We are known for bbq, being friendly, midwestern values, etc. We want to be known as champions too. Toss in that it’s been so long since an NFL championship was in KC, and THAT is why we all care so much.
Posts: 14,976

01-10-2019, 07:32 PM	#62
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3707229	Well, I think we all have our own reasons as to why we cheer for and intensely follow a given team... there's a madness to it and it's taken to another level when you go to the extreme of posting on fan forums (even those not affilliated with your team of choice). For me, Saturdays and Sundays were always me and my brother watching games with my dad. My dad is the greatest bandwagon fan of all-time and as he's approached 70 and all the BS of the last half decade, he's not as into the game. We all had a mutual love for hating things related to Texas, thank you SWC days of college football and we loved watching the Steelers beat Dallas. I can't really point to 'the moment' when a 12 year old kid growing up in AR gravitated to the Broncos. They were typically the only option back in the 80s living in a Cowboys market. However it happened, I was hooked and after a few years - they have this fun QB and they're in SBs winning playoff games in grand fashion, albeit losing SBs in grander fashion. Having gone through all that and going to college and being around fans of all other teams, it just became a thing. Every Sunday, we're watching games and giving guys shit for however their team did that week. I think that's probably similar with most. Watching the game has either a deep family tie or a deep tie to friends. You watch these guys and you want to be them and some of us just become so addicted to being a fan, we end up following them relentlessly. I mean seriously... why in the hell do any of us park in front of a TV to watch the freaking draft? As I've gotten older and the kids are more active... things aren't as extreme and I don't follow things like the draft, etc like I once did. However, that 12 year old kid is now a 48 year old father of 3 and there's still a rush with watching your team. Late in HS and throughout college, I was that annoyingly loud fan that couldn't wait for my team to break the curse and win a title. Thankfully, they did and while I still get frustrated and crazy at times... and will post passive-aggressive antagonistic BS around here ... it's different. I think a lot of you will be in the same boat very soon. You're going to have that SB winning itch scratched and things will be a bit calmer. I think age has a lot to do with it too, as we all get older - you mellow out a bit and bullsh that drove us nuts in our late 20's and 30's doesn't mean as much (if anything at all) in our 40s. There's just too many other things going on. But, at the end of the day - we're dudes (most of us) and becoming fanatical about our teams is what we do. Boards like this are our communal therapy sessions. I continue to be impressed with those of you that buy season tickets, go the games regularly and buy all the gear... your years of fandom will pay off very soon. In the end, it's an escape from reality... __________________
Posts: 30,258

01-10-2019, 07:39 PM	#64
REDHOTGTO Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: INDEPENDENCE,KANSAS Casino cash: $7278961	funny, inchiefshell our lives seem very similar in many ways concerning the chiefs. I lost a lot of care after letdown after letdown, I still cheer them on but I refuse to lose my mind if they lose in the playoffs, I just cant do it anymore. so heres to a great game Saturday and havin a fun times with my buddies and if they lose well hopefully Sutton will get bitten by a black widow and die right after the game !!!!
Posts: 1,913

01-10-2019, 08:21 PM	#66
Graystoke MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Driftless Region Casino cash: $955564	It’s who we were born to be. Own it, you can’t change it. Go ahead and tell yourself losses don’t effect you anymore, you know they do. When you enter the Arena of being a Chiefs fan you inherently become vulnerable.
Posts: 8,693

01-10-2019, 09:46 PM	#68
GayFrogs Veteran Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shawnee Casino cash: $10008705	In other words, we're all reeruned.
Posts: 1,403

01-11-2019, 01:44 AM	#69
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $6450670	Rooting for the Chiefs and Royals has been one of the few consistent things in my life. People come in and out of your life, you move to different cities change jobs and lose family members as you grow older. When you grow up going to the K and Arrowhead and follow your teams into adulthood, it kind of gives you a sense of comfort. I’m so shell shocked from our past playoff disappointments I’m bracing myself for it to happen again on Saturday. No matter how much I prepare for the disappointment, I still feel humiliated when we go one and done. __________________ Disappointing my parents since 1976 Last edited by PunkinDrublic; 01-11-2019 at 01:51 AM..
Posts: 9,151

01-11-2019, 03:36 AM	#70
arrowheadnation MONTANA #19 Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $6267357	I used to get super tore up over Chiefs and KU losses, but 5 years ago my mom died and then it didn't seem to effect me near as much anymore. There are bigger things in life I guess. That being said, I will probably cry if they ever win a Super Bowl. __________________ Things I need to happen in order to die happy.... KU wins a National Championship....Check! The Royals win a World Series....Check! The Chiefs win a Super Bowl....FINALLY!!!
Posts: 4,212

01-11-2019, 06:43 AM	#71
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2615273	Good question, and I found my self pondering this week as well. I'll be 57 in a couple of months. I've followed the Chiefs for 50 years. That's crazy. I've bee dedicated to this team longer than anything else in my life. For me, It's my home town, and my home town team. Plus I really love the game of football. I'm proud to be from Kansas City. And proud to be a Chiefs fan. I'm sure we tell ourselves we're due from all the misery and letdowns. I really hope they can win tmrw. I want them to win this for all the Chiefs fans before us, and those who have passed. ...the fanbase is overdue
Posts: 71,171

01-11-2019, 08:07 AM	#73
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3904937	I'm glad I'm not the only one who has pondered this. It's funny, half of me believes there's no way we could lose this game, the other half thinks there's no way we will win. I have to keep in mind: It's entertainment. It doesn't affect my life, only my psyche, and only as much as I let it. I do it because I like to be a part of something, even though I have no effect on what goes on. God hates the Patriots. Heh. GO CHIEFS! __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,716