As a city full of culture, pride and strong sense of community, it would only make sense that Kansas Citys’ sports teams are filled with the same. KC’s baseball team ‘the Royals’ and football team ‘the Chiefs’ have brought a lot of attention to the city, mainly because of the traditions that stem from them.
For generations, game days have been one of the most exciting days in the KC metro area. This is mainly because of the joy and connection that is brought from them. People love to sit in the parking lots and tailgate before the games or even just stay at home and have a barbeque with their family. Game days allow people to connect with each other and share a passion for KC sports.
“For my family Sundays are some of the most fun days because we always gather together in my living room to watch the Chiefs play together,” senior Abby Wendte said. “After a long week or weekend I know I always have something to look forward to.”
The beginning of Chiefs’ games are extremely extravagant. Fire blows out of the players entrance and military planes fly across the stadium. A special nominee, who is usually a former Chiefs’ player, also bangs a large red drum during the pre-game ceremony.
“The first time I saw it in person I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen in my life,” junior Ava Johnson said. “I was sitting with my sister, who is 5 years younger than me, and she talked about how cool it was for weeks. To this day it is my favorite part of the game.”
Starting in 1991, Chiefs’ fans also routinely perform the infamous ‘Tomahawk Chop’. This gesture is done during the banging of the red drum and after touchdowns. Kansas Citians also like to do this at the end of the national anthem, finishing the song off with “.. home of the Chiefs.”
“It honestly has just become a habit for me at this point,” junior Merrill Patt said. “I think it is so funny, and I love seeing peoples’ faces light up when they say it. It’s such a Kansas City thing.”
The traditions don’t stop at music. Kansas City has a tradition of ‘Red Fridays’, where everyone wears their Chiefs’ gear throughout the day. Occasionally, there are some superstitious people out there who have a winning shirt they wear every red Friday.
“It’s such a nice break from purple,” Patt said. “I just feel like since I wear purple every single day it’s really nice to have a break and see a flash of a different color. It’s like a breath of fresh air.”
With red being a prominent color in the city, there has been an abundant amount of it the past two years at the Super Bowl parades. Thanks to one of the quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowl trophies in the past five years. Kansas City has hosted a parade each time, where the players gather at Union Station, and all of Kansas City gathers around them to see them on their path there.
“Last year was probably my favorite one because me and all my friends got to gather together on the sidewalk,” Wendte said. “It was freezing out so we all had to snuggle together under blankets and had so much fun watching them all pass.”
While the Chiefs capture a large percentage of Kansas City’s attention, so does their baseball team. While the Royals haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2015, they recently recruited shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. which has significantly improved the Royals’ track record.
“My family loves the Royals and we try to go to every game,” Johnson says. “It’s so refreshing to see them doing better and not being in such a bad mood leaving the stadium.”
Even when the Royals were losing, their traditions and spirit still made the games memorable and entertaining to attend. For children, they have an area called the ‘Outfield Experience’ where kids can show off their baseball skills and enjoy activities like a carousel and mini golf.
“I remember going there a couple times when I was younger,” Wendte said. “I just got a new baby sister, so when she is older it would be so fun to take her there one day.”
Children also love the Royals’ mascot Slugger. He is mainly located on the field to bring energy to the fanclub, but occasionally he will make laps for photographs and greetings.
“When I was little it was so terrifying,” Patt said. “I don’t know why but I had this horrible fear of mascots and every time I saw Slugger I ran to my mom crying.”
There are also exciting traditions for adults and parents as well. The Royals have Price Chop Mondays which is a special where reserved tickets are $10 for every Monday home game. There is also the traditional “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” song that plays in the 7th inning.
“I honestly don’t even remember learning that song,” Johnson said. “I just have always known it, and I like how it’s almost nostalgic. It helps that it’s the same words over and over again.”
Both the Chiefs and Royals have similarities in their traditions that fans carry from game to game. For example, tailgating is a huge part of the game day experience. Kansas City’s tailgating culture is known for its barbecue, friendly competition and large crowds. Tailgates for Chiefs games start more or less four hours before kickoff and are a rite of passage for Kansas City residents.
“This summer, me and my friends went to so many Royals games, but my favorite part was always tailgating with our families,” Wendte said. “We would all eat the best food and talk for hours. I am ready for summer again.”
All in all, Kansas City is a place filled with a lot of tradition and culture when it comes to their sacred sports teams. These traditions instill a sense of connection and belonging between citizens, and that is what makes these traditions so valued.
“I love Kansas City, wow,” Patt said.
