Why am I a Kansas City Chiefs Fan?

I am pretty open with the fact that I am a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, and that is saying something considering they have been dreadful for the past two decades.  People often ask though how somebody that didn't grow up in Kansas City and has never even visited Kansas City could become a fan of the Chiefs.  Well to answer that question I am going to have to take you back to Colombia Elementary School.

It was a cold rainy day outside and as a child in elementary school this was seriously bad news!  This meant no recess!  Instead, during recess time we were trapped inside like lab rats, left to play the same old board games which were missing half their pieces.  Looking back on it now I realize that the teachers must have dreaded inside recess as much as we kids did.   I still remember Ms. Durrant telling us our options and how much fun we could still have inside. Ms. Durrant was my 2nd grade crush.  I was certain the two of us would have beautiful children someday.  I didn't quite realize she would be like 50 by the time I was marriage ready. So Ms. Durrant if you are still out there and available, I am not taken.....

Even as a child I was fascinated by random facts and learning about things nobody else seemed to care about.  During this particular indoor recess I sat down with a torn copy of the Guinness Book of World Records.  I read through its pages excitedly as if someone had just spouted divine wisdom from the heavens.  The world's fattest man, the largest pizza, and so on.  Eventually I came across the sports section of the book where it listed the records in each of the sports.  I remember reading the stat, "Most Sacks in an NFL Game: Derrick Thomas 7 sacks vs. Seattle".  I thought that was amazing even though my knowledge of the game was very limited at the time.  In my mind Derrick Thomas who was an outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs (R.I.P) suddenly became superman!  I began to watch Chiefs games to see him play.  When he died in 2000 at the age of 33 following a car crash which he caused, I remember being so confused why people are taken way too early.  Following his death I was already hooked on the Chiefs and continued to watch and cheer for them.  To almost an unhealthy level at this stage in life.  haha!

So that is how an indoor recess period turned a love struck 2nd grader into a raving Chiefs fan. :)  Feel free to leave comment and tell me how you became a fan of your favorite team regardless of sport.  Thanks for reading!