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Kansas City’s charm, years of misfortune make Chiefs a feel-good Super Bowl story

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2 years ago

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Kansas City’s charm, years of misfortune make Chiefs a feel-good Super Bowl story


This was a random Tuesday afternoon in early January 1998, and the person on the opposite facet of the lunch desk was smiling impishly. Throughout us, eyes have been lasered at our desk. It was unsettling on my facet of it. On the opposite?

“Individuals have checked out me this fashion for 35 years on this metropolis,” Len Dawson stated cheerfully.

I requested, “Isn’t that a bit of …”

“Bizarre?” Dawson stated, laughing. “At first. However the factor about this metropolis is, they simply need you to know they keep in mind you. What they need greater than something is to say thanks. You realize, I’ve had dinner with Joe Namath in New York and Bob Griese in Miami and that’s a complete totally different factor. Individuals don’t simply stare, they strategy. In waves. Till you both have to depart or ask the proprietor for a non-public room.”

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He waved his arms across the Houston’s within the coronary heart of the Nation Membership Plaza district.

“This,” he stated, “is Kansas Metropolis.”

It had been 28 years since Dawson had led the Chiefs to their first Tremendous Bowl win, 23-7 over the Vikings in Tremendous Bowl IV. It might be 22 extra years earlier than the Chiefs would add a second. Dawson had been round all of it, first as a participant, later as an area TV newscaster and community commentator and at last because the native analyst on radio.

Chiefs’ quarterback Len Dawson within the Tremendous Bowl I in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Darryl Norenberg/WireImage.com

The Chiefs have been dreadful in numerous these years, and once they weren’t they have been one thing even worse: a tease, a big-game disappointment, as soon as shedding three straight house video games as a No. 1 seed within the playoffs.

“That’s the factor with the followers round right here,” Dawson stated that day, which was two days after the Chiefs had stumbled as a 1 seed, shedding 14-10 to the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium, sending the whole metropolis into everlasting midnight for a couple of mournful weeks. “They present their loyalties even fiercer when occasions are dangerous than once they’re good.”

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It’s why I can vouch for the next: In case you don’t have a canine within the hunt every week from Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.; if you’re a fan of neither the Chiefs nor the Eagles; if you’re not a gambler; if the happiness of your day received’t be dictated by field swimming pools … you possibly can be ok with rooting for the Chiefs.


A fan holds up an indication throughout the first quarter within the AFC Championship at GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium.
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kc
A Chiefs fan poses for a photograph earlier than the AFC Championship between the Chiefs and the Bengals
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As a result of the Chiefs are the product of a metropolis that has withstood years — generally many years — of slapstick with its two main tenants, the Chiefs and Royals, and but nonetheless put on the gear, nonetheless fret over the little issues, even in summers when the Royals flirt with 100 losses (as they did this summer time) and autumns when the Chiefs go 2-14 (which that occurred as lately as 2012).

A couple of months after lunch with Dawson I spent the morning of the Royals’ house opener trailing George Brett from his house to an look downtown to the primary occasion at Kauffman Stadium, a 1:05 begin in opposition to the Orioles. And it was the identical factor: each eye, in each café, in each parking zone, in each section of the stadium, was mounted on him.

It was just like the President strolling across the individuals, solely there weren’t Secret Service males maintaining the individuals at bay, simply their very own strict codes of Midwestern decorum. Every time he shook a hand the fan froze, as if in a thrall; however the ones who didn’t get handshakes didn’t spew envy. They have been — sincere — simply completely satisfied to be there.

“I’m a California child, OK?” Brett informed me later, as he sipped a pregame beer. “I really like the solar. And but I dwell, year-round, on this metropolis the place it will get to be about 90 beneath in January. Perhaps now you see why I do that.”

Look, each metropolis has pleasure in its groups. Most, in actual fact, aren’t as fickle as New York or Boston or Philly, locations the place killing the native 9 (or 5, or 11) isn’t only a lifestyle, however a rule of order. St. Louis has some KC in it. Pittsburgh, too. Cleveland? They do love their groups in Cleveland.

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Followers pose for an image previous to a recreation between the Bengals and Chiefs within the AFC Championship.
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NFL
Patrick Mahomes
USA TODAY Sports activities

However I lived in Kansas Metropolis for a 12 months. It was totally different there. Purer. Regardless of the best way it’s appeared the final 5 years, it hasn’t all the time been straightforward to be a Chiefs fan. That January in 1998 I noticed real despair in scores of saloons and VFW halls and highschool basketball gyms. It’s why I felt so good when the Chiefs received Tremendous Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, 2020.

Typically as a sports activities fan you surprise if there’ll ever be a payoff for all of the devotion. There was that day. There was, in Kansas Metropolis, on day-after-day since Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid began dueting. Good for that metropolis. Good for its followers. And good for you, when you select to undertake them the subsequent 11 days. You’ll be able to be ok with that decide. I promise.



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Iowa State vs. Kansas State Prediction, Odds, Picks – November 30, 2024

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6 hours ago

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November 28, 2024

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Iowa State vs. Kansas State Prediction, Odds, Picks – November 30, 2024


Data Skrive

Oddsmakers expect a competitive game between Big 12 rivals when the No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (9-2) host the Kansas State Wildcats (8-3) on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Jack Trice Stadium. Kansas State is a 2.5-point underdogs. The game has a 51.5-point over/under.

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The Cyclones won against the Utah Utes in their last game, 31-28. Last time out, the Wildcats defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats, with 41-15 being the final score.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

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Iowa State vs. Kansas State Game Information & Odds

  • When: Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa
  • TV: FOX
  • Live Box Score on FOX Sports

More College Football Predictions

Iowa State vs Kansas State Betting Information updated as of November 28, 2024, 2:45 a.m. ET.
Favorite Spread (Odds) Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Total Over Moneyline Under Moneyline
Iowa State -2.5 (-110) -130 +108 51.5 -110 -110

Iowa State vs. Kansas State Prediction

  • Pick ATS:

    Iowa State (-2.5)

  • Pick OU: Over (51.5)
  • Prediction: Iowa State 29, Kansas State 24

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Iowa State Cyclones vs. the Kansas State Wildcats game on FOX Sports!

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Iowa State vs. Kansas State Betting Insights

  • Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Cyclones 27, Wildcats 24.
  • The Cyclones have a 56.5% chance to collect the win in this game based on the moneyline’s implied probability. The Wildcats have a 48.1% implied probability.
  • Iowa State has covered six times in 10 matchups with a spread this season.
  • Kansas State has won four games against the spread this year, failing to cover seven times.

Iowa State vs. Kansas State: Head-to-Head

  • In their last three head-to-head bouts, Iowa State has taken down Kansas State two times.
  • In those games versus Kansas State, the Cyclones have covered two times with one push while outpacing the total on two occasions.
  • In their last three head-to-head matchups, Iowa State has racked up 84 points against Kansas State, while surrendering only 65 points.

Iowa State vs. Kansas State: 2024 Stats Comparison

Iowa State Kansas State
Off. Points per Game (Rank) 31.4 (43) 30.5 (48)
Def. Points per Game (Rank) 19.5 (19) 21.3 (33)
Turnovers Allowed (Rank) 12 (33) 13 (40)
Turnovers Forced (Rank) 19 (23) 14 (76)

Iowa State 2024 Key Players

Kansas State 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Avery Johnson QB 2,297 YDS (60.5%) / 19 TD / 9 INT
484 RUSH YDS / 6 RUSH TD / 44.0 RUSH YPG
DJ Giddens RB 1,271 YDS / 7 TD / 115.5 YPG / 6.7 YPC
21 REC / 258 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 23.5 REC YPG
Jayce Brown WR 39 REC / 657 YDS / 3 TD / 59.7 YPG
Dylan Edwards RB 345 YDS / 3 TD / 34.5 YPG / 6.5 YPC
17 REC / 106 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 11.8 REC YPG
Austin Romaine LB 72 TKL / 4.0 TFL / 2.0 SACK
Brendan Mott DL 37 TKL / 7.0 TFL / 8.5 SACK / 1 INT
Desmond Purnell LB 35 TKL / 7.0 TFL / 3.5 SACK
Marques Sigle DB 42 TKL / 4.0 TFL / 3 INT / 3 PD

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Nets Prospect Watch: Breaking Down Cooper Flagg’s Game vs. Kansas

Published

14 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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Nets Prospect Watch: Breaking Down Cooper Flagg’s Game vs. Kansas


The Brooklyn Nets, along with the rest of the teams expected to be rebuilding this NBA season, have kept a keen eye out for Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. The projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has been a force for Duke, averaging 17.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks.

Last night, No. 11 Duke faced off against No. 1 Kansas in the Terry’s Chocolate Vegas Showdown. All eyes were on how Flagg and the Blue Devils would fare against Hunter Dickinson and the top-ranked Jayhawks.

Dickinson was ejected in the second half for a flagrant two foul Duke’s Maliq Brown, which opened up the doors for the Blue Devils to win the game. Unfortunately, they lost 75-72.

A big concern for Flagg has been his late-game turnovers. The freshman had two in a row in the final possessions of the State Farm Champions Classic against Kentucky.

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Last night, Flagg tried to attempt the same spin move against Kansas that cost Duke the late-game possession against Kentucky. Flagg spun into traffic and lost the handle, giving the Jayhawks the ball back while being up one with less than a minute to play.

This trend aside, Flagg was still efficient, putting up 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists while shooting 5-for-9 from the field and hitting his only three-point attempt.

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A big part of Flagg’s offensive game last night was the ability to play off of the pick-and-roll well. The 6-foot-10 forward was able to seal defenders when needed, but could also explode off of the screen to get past the switch on defense.

Flagg is a smooth finisher and demonstrated that with his athleticism last night. He could also knock down a jumper when needed but didn’t really do so against Kansas. Overall, it was a solid night given how many shots Flagg took.

The biggest question is how he can perform in the clutch. This is the third time Flagg has turned the ball over in a one-possession game with under a minute to play. It’s worth noting that he’s only 17, and still has plenty of time to develop, but the late-game IQ has to improve for the hype to continue.

Want to join the discussion? Like Nets on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Nets news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.





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Troopers from both Kansas and Missouri hosting holiday toy drive

Published

21 hours ago

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November 27, 2024

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Troopers from both Kansas and Missouri hosting holiday toy drive


KANSAS CITY, Mo — State troopers from both Kansas and Missouri are asking for your help this holiday season to help children who won’t have the chance to celebrate the holiday season at home.

“Many of our troopers are parents, and seeing these kids in the hospital, this time of year is devastating,” said Corporal Justin Ewing, Missouri State Highway Patrol. “This is our ability as parents, as fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, to bring some joy to these kids, but it is also a great opportunity for us as the law enforcement world to step into the people that we serve and be able to meet some of these needs and to bridge that gap between the communities we serve our own agency.”

Daniela Leon | KSHB

Corporal Justin Ewing – Mo. Highway Patrol

From now through December 9th, troopers are collecting new, unused toys for children of all ages for the annual Trooper Michael Newton Toy Drive.

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Troopers have been handing out toys to children at KU Medical Center Pediatrics and the Ronald McDonald House for the past 22 years.

The toy drive was started as a way to honor fallen trooper Michael Newton with Missouri State Highway Patrol who died in the line of duty in 2003.

Newton was the 23rd member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to lose his life in the line of duty and was survived by his wife and two young sons.

“His family knew that he was a great influence in the community, and so this was just a chance to bring joy to the community through some of our most precious citizens, and that’s our children,” said CPL Ewing.

Over the years, troopers estimate thousands of children have benefited from the their toy drive. You can take your new, unwrapped, toy donations to the following locations:

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Missouri State Highway
Patrol – Troop A
504 S.E. Blue Pkwy Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
(816) 622-0800

Kansas Highway Patrol -Troop A
1220 S. Enterprise St. Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 782-8100

Murphy – Hoffman
11120 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy Leawood, KS 66211
(888) 642-8782

Pediatric Partners
7450 W. 135th St.Overland Park, KS 66223
(913) 888-4567

Pediatric Partners
2111 E. Kansas City Rd.Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 888-4567

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They want these donations to benefit children of all ages, so you can bring books, puzzles, Legos, electronic devices and games.
They also have anAmazon Wish List.

KSHB 41 anchor/reporter Daniela Leon covers transportation-related issues in Kansas City. Share your story idea with Daniela.





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