Kansas City! You’re Giving Poor Kansas City A Bad Name!

There’s something about being a sports fan in the state of Missouri that gives you a deep appreciation for the stench of failure.  Maybe I’m being mildly melodramatic, but it is true.  That is, unless you’re a Cardinals fan; more power to you all.  Now, if you had the misfortune of growing up as a Chiefs or Royals fan, then I’m sorry for pointing out the obvious.  The thing about Kansas City sports fans is that there’s always a pure, innocent idea that things will get better.  That’s what enables us as fans to return each and every year.  We’re all awaiting our so-called “Miracle on Ice.”  Unfortunately, like the years preceding it, 2012 has not been a kind year to be a sports fan in fair Cowtown.

2012 started out with the passionate rivalry between the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks reaching a fever pitch.  While the rivalry had always been there, circumstances intensified things this year.  Missouri had announced that they would be leaving the Big 12 Conference to move to the SEC for the 2012-2013 academic year and so on.  In addition, both Mizzou and KU were embroiled in a battle for supremacy over the Big 12 and in the national rankings as well.  KU would take the Big 12 Conference Championship and Mizzou would win the Big 12 Tournament Championship which led to bragging rights for both schools.  In addition, both schools were able to win on their home courts against their bitter rivals for the final time.  The fans tended to take the hate a little far this time with Kansas fans expressing bitterness at Missouri for leaving the Big 12 and Missouri fans being angry at Kansas for refusing to continue the traditional rivalry game between the two schools.  Throughout the winter months, Kansas City was very divided between the two camps.

In the summer of 2012, Kansas City and the Royals would play host to the Major League Baseball All*Star Game.  The event would definitely bring national attention to Kansas City throughout the week leading up to the game on July 10.  With the Royals already off to a bad start as far as their record for the season went, the All*Star Game was really the biggest remaining event for the baseball season.  Through the weekend leading up to the Game, Kansas City received nothing but positive responses for the the way that the city hosted the FanFest and other festivities.  Starting with the Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday, KU basketball head coach, Bill Self and Chiefs quarterback, Matt Cassel were booed during the course of the game.  Also leading up to the Home Run Derby, Sports Radio 810 started a public campaign to boo New York Yankees second baseman, Robinson Cano for leaving local favorite Billy Butler off the American League's Home Run Derby team.  Beginning with the Derby, Cano was booed non-stop from start to finish.  The only ceasing was when Butler was shown on CrownVision and when Cano struck out for the final time without hitting a home run.  While Sports Radio 810 encouraged fans to cheer for Cano the following night for being a good sports, fans continued to boo hysterically whenever Cano entered the game.  This reception cast an unnecessary pall over the proceedings and dominated the ESPN and FOX coverage of the game.

Recently, Kansas City has been in the news again for less than positive reasons.  With frustrations building for Chiefs fans after a 1 - 3 start, Kansas City fans were beginning to call for changes.  Most of the upset feelings for fans could be traced to two sources: Matt Cassel and Chiefs General Manager, Scott Pioli.  In fact, fans paid for a banner to fly over Arrowhead Stadium proclaiming “We Deserve Better! Fire Pioli – Bench Cassel."  During the course of the Chiefs' game against the Baltimore Ravens, Matt Cassel was injured with a concussion.  When fans saw backup QB Brady Quinn enter the game, cheers erupted in the stadium.  While the cheers weren't directed at Cassel's injury, the gesture still made national news after comments from offensive tackle, Eric Winston.  Winston publicly called out Chiefs fans for what he saw as a negative response to Cassel's injury.  ESPN and other media outlets picked up the story and ran with it.  

People nationwide are quickly beginning to lose respect for Kansas City fans as a whole after the events of the past year.  While this city has always been regarded as having a great attitude of Midwestern hospitality, fans need to step back and take a look at their actions as of late.  It is important for the future of our fair city to take a look at sportsmanship.  If not for us, then for the next generation.  Without respect, really we are no better than Raider fans.  Who wants that?