Kansas City, 13-14 September - Go Ch-Ch-Ch-Chiefs!

After a nine hour drive from Chicago, crossing our fingers that nothing would go wrong, we finally made it to my mecca of football, Kansas City. Ever since I (Daniel) was little I've loved the Kansas City Chiefs. I can remember watching the Nigerian Nightmare, Christian Okoye, just dominate and knock-out defenders; then Marcus Allen, Derrick Thomas, Priest Holmes, and Trent Green were greats to watch. After all those years watching on the television, I finally got to see the Chiefs play in Arrowhead stadium. We'd planned part of our trip to make sure we arrived at the right time. New stadium, new coach, new team...and hopefully new Chiefs. Last season hurt with a record of 4-12. I knew (well, hoped) this season would be different. I'm already shouting playoffs in the hopes I don't jinx the team, but hey, with their record last year I'm not sure I can jinx them. If they win five games they've beat last season's wins. Ok, ok, we finally got to the stadium about an hour before the game. Parking was not too bad; getting there reminded me a bit of the 405 in Los Angeles on a busy day. Seats were great on the upper level around the 40-yard line. Things were going great. Below is a shot of the field:

And then Emma and I pre-game. A nice Chiefs fan offered to take our picture.

Everything was going great. Old Achy Breaky Heart Billy Ray Cyrus sung the national anthem and two beautiful navy choppers flew over and hugged the stadium. Even after 8 years in the Air Force I still get excited to see aircraft (jets or helicopters) zoom overhead. But wait...there's more. Now, I can't say Emma jinxed us, but I'm going to say she did because it makes the story better. Someone (Emma) had to say, "Wow, it's a great night for football. Easy parking, nice warm weather, Billy Ray Cyrus (ok, artistic license there), and Monday Night Football in Arrowhead Stadium." Well, thanks babe. Things got a little electric after that...literally. It started raining and lighting poured around us in the middle of the first quarter; we thought it wouldn't last too long so we braved it out...and braved it out...and braved it out. Finally at halftime we had enough and went down to the concourse with everyone else. Hey, the weather guy said it wouldn't rain until the 4th quarter (what the heck!). So we braved it out in the concourse like two sewer rats soaked to the bone. Many other fans decided to hang around but tons decided to leave. We were there to see the Chiefs and I was going to see it to the end, even though it continued to piss down with rain. Halftime...rain. Third quarter....rain. Fourth quarter...rain, up until the last few minutes of the game. We'd come this far so we went back out into the seats and braved it.

And what happened...San Diego drove down the field in the last minute of the game. They had four downs within the 10-yardline to score a touchdown. Recollections of last year turned my stomach; I knew that the Chiefs would have a hard chance winning if they took it to overtime. First and second downs played out unsuccessfully. Third down...Philip Rivers rolled out, setup and passed. Incomplete. Fourth down and goal with around 20 seconds left. A lot of nervous fans left in the stadium, including myself. Security didn't really care if folks moved down; I think they figured that if you had braved it out you had deserved a better seat. Ok, where was I? Fourth down, twenty some seconds left. Philip Rivers rolls out again; feels like forever for a Chiefs fan. He sets up, finds the receiver, throws and...incomplete! The stadium erupts all at once with the loudest cheer. Fans go wild doing the Indian chop and it truly was exhilarating. We had braved the elements and the team came through. I was so excited that my only game in Arrowhead Stadium was going to be a win. Super bowl champs for sure. Well, I'd be happy with a good season and anything will be better than 4-12.

We drove home in the rain, both shivering and frozen, but I have to say it was terribly worth it. Had a terrible migraine the next day, of which I chalk up to the long drive, tiredness and constantly chattering teeth, but I couldn't have been happier and it was a wonderful experience. Would I do it again? Heck yeah! Except next time we'd take some rain jackets and maybe a bit warmer clothes. But it's too late and I wouldn't change it for the world. Something I've always wanted to do and it was a wonderful experience. And I think Em had a good time too, though I'm pretty sure she only braved it out for me. Isn't she great!