The most dominant teams in the league over the past six decades have typically been located in major cities like Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, Miami, and Boston, as well as the six New England states. Pittsburgh’s success in the 1970s was a rare exception. However, Terry Bradshaw was not a quarterback of Patrick Mahomes’ caliber and did not play during the era of modern media. It would be a stretch to believe that the NFL intentionally chose Kansas City, a small media market, as their hub of activity instead of cities like Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, or New York. Last year, Kansas City’s most well-known fan was a fugitive who wore a wolf costume and robbed banks to support his Chiefs fandom.
The only athlete who comes close to matching the revered status of recently retired Tom Brady is Mahomes. In a culture that is increasingly fragmented, Mahomes has made Kansas City the center of the sports world and has even transcended borders. While Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have also contributed to the Chiefs’ success, Mahomes would not have gained the attention of a Grammy-winning artist if his quarterback had been Alex Smith.
Mahomes’ pursuit of Brady is set to dominate NFL discussions for the next decade. Although they are equally talented, they have each made history in their own unique ways. Mahomes is like Michael Jordan in clutch moments and Michael Jackson when it comes to his creativity and footwork on the field. Brady, on the other hand, is comparable to Paul McCartney in terms of his consistent success. While Brady may not have Mahomes’ agility, we are approaching a future where Brady will be providing commentary on Super Bowls while Mahomes erases their championship gap. It’s pointless to compare them or their influence. Brady shared Massachusetts with other sports icons and celebrities, while Kansas City belongs to Mahomes.
If Mahomes and Travis Kelce win their third Super Bowl in Kansas City, it would be the equivalent of LeBron James winning three titles in Cleveland instead of taking his talents to Miami. Just a few years ago, even Donald Trump congratulated Kansas after the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory. Without Mahomes and Kelce, we wouldn’t have memorable moments like Jason Kelce introducing himself to Ice Spice before getting too drunk to remember her name. As the Chiefs chase a third consecutive title, their cultural impact will only continue to grow.
However, with all the attention and opportunities outside of football, there is a risk of inflated egos and loss of focus. The rest of the league hopes that this will be what derails Kansas City. Kelce has already expressed interest in pursuing comedic roles in movies, but this could potentially interfere with his football commitments. How long will it be until Mahomes and his wife Brittany are represented by a top talent agency and she becomes a co-host on a popular talk show? Every dynasty needs its diva-like figures, and the Chiefs have players like L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie. Coach Andy Reid may need to make some changes, such as adopting a keto diet, changing his appearance, and publishing a book on leadership and Chief Culture.
Now that the Chiefs are officially a dynasty, their celebrity fan base is likely to expand beyond just Taylor Swift fans. Celebrities from St. Louis, who were left without a football team when the Rams moved, are now free agents in search of a new team to support. Kansas City International Airport can expect an influx of private jets on game days. Ticket prices at Arrowhead Stadium will continue to rise, potentially even pricing out famous fans like Paul Rudd.
All eyes will be on Kansas City and Mahomes for the foreseeable future. The Chiefs have become the NFL’s premier franchise of the decade, and they are taking the state of Missouri along for the ride, for better or worse.
According to the Source deadspin.com