“Patrick Mahomes! That boy’s got spunk!” – There’s little doubt that Chiefs Kingdom has grown exponentially since this same time last year. Growth is inevitable when a team finishes a season where:

A team’s quarterback is the league MVP in his first year, A team posts a 12-4 record and wins their division, A player from the team is both the league MVP in his first year and on the cover of Madden, A team is but a coin toss/bad call/penalty (pick one) away from making the Super Bowl.



However, the pace at which the Chiefs have grown in popularity this past year is nothing less than astounding.

I've been to 23 countries… hitting 44 US states. Me: "I am from St. Joesph. It's in Missouri." Stranger: "Where's Missouri?" Me:😐 "KC". Person: "Oh the midwest! The Chiefs!" KC is more popular than 'Missouri'. Fun fact: Seville, Spain is KC's sister city. https://t.co/FZBCK57CIm pic.twitter.com/b4Tm5JurE4 — Patrick Shuman (@Coach_Shuman) June 15, 2019

Facebook group KC Chiefs Die Hards 4Life {Kc> has an admin named John Frailey who reports that as of June 2018, the group had 40,000 members and has added over 10,000 since then.

“… in June of 2018 the group had 40,000+ members… Today the group now sits at over 51,200 members.”

Frailey sees further future growth,

“I imagine we will see an increase in membership when the season begins and they start winning games.”

So, what is the catalyst for that growth? Is it all because of our MVP quarterback, Patrick Mahomes?

Redditor IIHURRICANEII, a moderator of the Chiefs subreddit, /r/kansascitychiefs, on reddit.com reports that the Chiefs subreddit’s membership has grown by over 38,000 in the past year.

“One year to the month we have grown from 20k subscribers to 58k subscribers. The Chiefs subreddit has been around for years upon years, so this growth is kinda shocking, but, at the same time, I think shows just what Mahomes has done for the Chiefs Kingdom.” – /u/IIHURRICANEII, Chiefs subreddit moderator

The reddit moderator is not alone in crediting Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes II for the growth.

Says Josh Cowdin, a Chiefs fan since 2001, “I 100% attribute the rise in popularity of the Chiefs to Patrick Mahomes.” Tammy Whitson Power, a thirty-plus year Chiefs fan who lives in St. Joseph, MO, credits Mahomes, as well, “Patrick is DEFINITELY the reason! Have you seen the number of jerseys worn with his number? Me included!” However, is the growth really all just because of Mahomes?

By popular request from @shaggyshanekc, your fantasy Mahomes/Charles TD call pic.twitter.com/z26uzmzAFo — 50 Sent (@ClayWendler) May 1, 2019

Randy Maple of southeast Kansas is a longtime Chiefs fan and credits more than just Mahomes,

“Been a Chiefs fan since the beginning. Someone said you know you’re old if you remember the Chiefs in a Super Bowl, we’ll I remember both games… I think the new fans started with Andy and Alex, but I believe Mahomes has brought an entirely new group. His talent and knowledge of the game make him a real threat to any defense out there. This is a new Chiefs team looking to complete and finish the season and bring that trophy back to K.C.”

It hasn't always been popular, but it's clear that the Kansas City #Chiefs have been building a Super Bowl contender for years. @thesportsskribe takes a look at the Chiefs' building blocks and how we've gotten to where the team is today.https://t.co/aUMhxe9C49 — Pro Football Network (@PFN365) May 31, 2019

A Chiefs fan since kindergarten in 1973, Jason Lasley agrees,

“I think we can say Mahomes is a big factor in the rise of fans. But I would say Alex Smith had a lot to do with getting most of us very excited about our team.”

Lori “Badger” Smith, a true Chiefs fan for over 30 years is like-minded,

“I think Mahomes has been a super factor for all the new fans coming in but think a lot starts with Alex Smith and all the winning the last 3-4 years.”

Adds an original Dallas Texans fan, Michael J. Donigan,

“The majority of attribution in the sudden rise is pretty obvious… PM15. Also, the weapons around him, Reid’s offensive ingenuity and a defensive makeover play roles as well.”

I found 25-year-long Chiefs fan Jeff Bohnenblust’s take on the rise in popularity most interesting and prophetic,

“I attribute the rise in popularity to Patrick Mahomes, however, I feel it has had a trickle-down effect. His own singular popularity combined with the chemistry he has with our team has increased attention to our other players, which has increased our overall popularity.”

When I reached out to Chiefs fans, longtime fans were all too willing to elaborate on their Chiefs fandom. However, new Chiefs fans were not as forthcoming. I had to go local for that.

I reached out to Annie of Alton, Illinois, who became a Chiefs fan just last season when she watched Patrick Mahomes lead the Chiefs in the seasoner opener. In the 38-28 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. All Mahomes did during the game was to run for 21 yards and throw for 256 more and four touchdowns… in his first game as a starter!

When asked if that was why she became a Chiefs fan, she lit up and looked at me if I were stupid, “Yeah! Patrick Mahomes! That boy’s got spunk!’

Thus, a Chiefs fan was born.

What about the new Chiefs fans? How are they being welcomed in Chiefs Kingdom? Opinions seem varied.

Some, like Russell Harris, who can remember the likes of Len Dawson, Otis Taylor, and Willie Lanier have mixed feelings,

“I think there’s a lack of respect for those of us that have been through some bad years along the way, but I’m happy to see the Chiefs getting a bigger following.”

Or Tammy, “I’m torn between the “new” fans——if you weren’t a fan when we were losing, why are you a fan NOW? I bleed red & gold till the day I’m dead & cold!”

Others, like Miss “Badger” Smith, are loving the new Chiefs fans, “I really like all the new fans coming in. I have even had family members to change to being Chiefs fans. It’s great!”

Josh could not agree more, “New Chiefs fans make me happy. It means people from out of the KC area are recognizing that we are a team to be feared in the NFL.”

Jeff opines,

“I’m perfectly fine with the influx of new fans. Kansas City has never really been a popular city to root for in the grand scheme of things… I was there when we were 2-14, so I’m happy to celebrate with others when we were as close to the Super Bowl as we were last year.”

Peggy Sears, a “Ride or Die” Chiefs fan for over 50 years contributes,

“Good and bad I ride. As far as new fans, the more the merrier. I’m ok with them. I feel that Patrick Mahomes is what is bringing in the newbies. He is so exciting to watch and the energy he brings is amazing.”

Unfortunately, I ran into the occasional veteran Chiefs fan who found the new fans “annoying.”

Regardless if like Annie, you’ve been a Chiefs fan for less than a year… or since the Dallas Texans days… like Michael, I think we can all agree on a few things:

The 2019 Kansas City Chiefs will be something special, Chiefs Kingdom is a special place and a great tribe of fans, and The Broncos and Raiders suck… always!



Notes of thanks: Thanks to Reddit /r/kansascitychiefs moderator /u/IIHURRICANEII for taking the time to contribute. Also, thanks to KC Chiefs Die Hards 4Life {Kc> admin John Frailey for not only contributing but also allowing me to reach out to his group’s members for input. Last, and most important of all, thanks to KC Chiefs Die Hards 4Life {Kc> members who responded and our savvy and faithful arrowheadone.com readers. GO CHIEFS!

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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