Forget NFL officiating conspiracy theories, Chiefs playoff captain reminds fans of what's truly important ahead of AFC title game
The discourse leading up to the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills has been overrun by bad-faith arguments about NFL officiating, even though there is plenty of factual, non-biased evidence to refute them (see: Scott Kacsmar, Josh Dubow, and others). It all distracts from what should be the focus leading up to the […]
The discourse leading up to the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills has been overrun by bad-faith arguments about NFL officiating, even though there is plenty of factual, non-biased evidence to refute them (see: Scott Kacsmar, Josh Dubow, and others).
It all distracts from what should be the focus leading up to the game, which is two great NFL teams meeting, both with a shot at a historic postseason. It also detracts from what Chiefs fans should be reveling in ahead of the game. This success wasn't given to Kansas City through some conspiracy, but it was earned through years and years of futility and the hard work of those in the building to correct the team's failures.
Speaking to 810 Sports Radio earlier this week, Chiefs playoff captain James Winchester sought to remind people what it was like when he first arrived in Kansas City and the journey since.
"The guys that we have on a roster. Obviously, we've had a good run here, and we have a lot of Super Bowl experience," Winchester said. "But it wasn't so long ago that, 2015-2016, my first year was 2015, and 2015, 2016, 2017, we hadn't made it past the divisional round. I tell people all the time during my first year here in 2015, we had the opportunity to win a playoff game against Houston. It was the first time in 26 years that the franchise had won a playoff game. And, you know, just to see the emotions in the locker room after that game and just the joy to be going on at the divisional round. And then, you know, only a few short years later, you know, making the AFC Championship, falling short against the Patriots, and then having the opportunity to go the next year, win against Tennessee, and go on to win Super Bowl 54. It has been incredibly special. And since then, this run that we've been on has just been amazing, and I'm blessed to be a part of it."
Ahead of the AFC title game on Sunday, fans should be proud of their team. This run of success this team is on right now should be appreciated, no matter how many outsiders seek to discredit it. They can't comprehend the level of success this team has seen for the same reason that we should champion it and wear it as a badge of honor. It wasn't long ago that the Chiefs celebrated their first playoff win in over 26 years. It wasn't long ago that they won their first Super Bowl title after waiting a half-century to get back to the game, let alone win it.
This shit isn't easy. Just ask everyone who entered the doors at One Arrowhead Drive in those 50 years between Lombardi Trophies. This particular Chiefs team has made winning the norm when, for decades, it was the opposite. From the top to the bottom of the organization, they've sacrificed countless hours to normalize winning in a league where parity has become the norm. People don't get to take that away from the franchise just because they're tired of seeing Kansas City succeed where their teams fall short.
So, forget the haters who try to disparage this team by citing something entirely out of their control. Enjoy the work this organization has put in and cherish the opportunity to see this team compete at the highest levels. At one point, not too long ago, it was all only ever a sparkle in the eyes of a dreamer.
Final predictions for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills AFC Championship Game showdown on Sunday
The A to Z Sports Staff has submitted their final predictions for the AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
