Game Day Photos at the Bottom.

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From an article in the Kansas City Star:
"Even as it becomes more faint by the year, it bears fresh mention that back in The Before Times, pre-Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs fans were stranded where Bills fans continue to languish: in a sense of constant dread that replenished itself with each wretched turn.

The stark point of contrast — between then and now for the Chiefs and their fans, between their flourishing experiences today and the tortured times for the Bills and their faithful — is cause for one last pause to appreciate this marvel before the Chiefs travel to Baltimore to play in their sixth straight AFC Championship Game. It wasn’t always like this. It won’t always be like this. Just the same, ascending to this stage has become a perennial truth of the Mahomes generation, which grows more astonishing all the time. Not so long ago, that sense of futility and relative despair and perceived villains were a way of life for millions of Chiefs fans. That tends to hover from nearly two generations of piercing or hollow endings — games so excruciating."

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I personally remember those days very well myself. However, Chiefs fans always remained loyal and devotedly hung in there. They didn't abandon their team during the lean years. Although loud and proud, they also didn't blame the team's opponents for any of the hometown team's shortcomings. They did not act out their frustrations on visiting teams nor on other fans. They just stuck together as fans who loved their team and got pleasure out of watching their team play the game. Through the 50 years between Super Bowl wins, Chiefs fans "painted the town red" each year. However, winning wasn't everything. The Chiefs gave their fans much more. Although fans longed to see a win, they were happy and proud to just have the Chiefs. It's hard to explain, but that's Chiefs Kingdom. Chiefs Kingdom knows no boundaries, and it is their belief that no Chiefs enthusiast should ever feel isolated when celebrating game day. Positive and respectful representation of the Kingdom has always been expected from their fans.

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"Although many now seem to view the Chiefs as a Bills nemesis, the Chiefs over the years have shared a lot in common with the Bills. Chief fans (before Mahome arrived on the scene) saw the Chiefs come close to winning it all, but then, at the last moment things would again and again slip away. The Chiefs' journey to greatness began with their first Super Bowl victory in 1970, known as Super Bowl IV. The Chiefs secured their inaugural Super Bowl title, marking a significant milestone in the team's history. Yet, after this triumph, the Chiefs experienced a prolonged Super Bowl drought that lasted for 50 years. In total, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in their 64-year history: two have been in the last 4 years with Patrick Mahomes."

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One shouldn't look at the Chiefs' current success as something that makes them villainous. They shouldn't be hated; like I'm now hearing more and more and more as this team continues to do well. Instead, remember the Chiefs' struggles and the loyalty of their fans during ALL the lean years. This means that anything is possible for any team in the league. Like the Bills, the Chiefs know what it's like to have the brass ring out of reach. Fifty lean years was a whole lot of time. The Bills "dry spell" has been a whole lot shorter. But now that the Chiefs are doing well, no one seems to want to remember that.

"NFL fans outside of the Chiefs Kingdom are already tired of the Mahomes era. They want nothing more than to see the Chiefs lose again. Of course, they won’t give the Kansas City team credit. Of course, they will try to make Chiefs fans feel like they don’t deserve it. What else do they have to do at this point? Chiefs fans have to tune them out" & enjoy their beloved team. Giving in to others' hatred is letting hate win. That is not the kind of win this world needs. As the Kelce brothers showed after the Super Bowl last year, love is better than hate. Football is just a game. Some things are bigger than winning or losing a game.

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Although I haven't known the Chiefs for as long as many fans, I've had a standing joke that if the Chiefs ever won the Conference title during my time as a fan, I'd buy a new T-shirt. That was back in the lean years. They often came quite close but then things slipped away. I jokingly said that if they ever won the Super Bowl (which in 2018 I NEVER imaged would happen again) that I'd buy two. I now have several T-shirts that commemorate their successes since 2019.

Today's game was just a game.
I could say that of all games. Despite some wins being more prestigious than others,
the boost that these games give to community and the good feelings of fan spirit means more.

Of course, Chiefs fans are proud of "their" team and are now savoring the team's current good times. Will the Chiefs win next week? Time will tell. Maybe. Maybe not. It would be great for their fans if they did. But they are the underdogs. Nevertheless, a true fan remains a fan in both good times and bad. Not all games can be won. And sometimes surprises happen. I have a seen a lot of the bad times for this team. So, I am not ashamed to be enjoying their current good times. That's the way it should be. This doesn't take anything away from anyone else. There were a whole lot of years in between Len Dawson and Patrick Mahomes in which the Chiefs struggled. Their fans still loved them. The difference between then-and-now is that not everyone else seemed to feel a need to hate the Chiefs during their lean years as they do now. So, what's with the hatred for winning?

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The years have shown that - no matter which team is the current ruling king - moments in sports may be fleeting. A team is more than any one single individual and team dynamics are constantly in flux. I can cite the Kansas City Royals as proof of that. There will eventually a new king (in football or baseball or whatever) and the sport continues on. Loyalty to the team of your choice - combined with GOOD SPORTMANSHIP (no matter what) - should be a true fan's goal during both the good times and in the bad. Devotion is what really makes things fun and truly worthwhile. Winning (which is one thing that every team and their fans would like) is not the end all. Winning is merely the cherry on top of something bigger.

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Most of the photos in this gallery were taken late in the game and celebrations. I was too busy before then with enjoying the game on TV with friends. Come on, Bills fans. Put those snowballs away. It's just a game. In the past, I've felt your kind of disappointment myself. But good sportsmanship (win or lose) is part of what makes both a really great team and great fans. No matter how this season ends, next year will be another season for all.

The Chiefs current success proves that dreams can come true, even after years and years of heartbreak. The Chiefs are not alone in this.
Today's game was just a game. Each team and their fan base should be proud of themselves no matter what the score. If the Chiefs win or lose next weekend, I will continue to feel the same way. Tonight, we celebrate how the Chiefs have brought our community together by just playing the game. IMHO, that is as important - if not more so - than the win.