Move over Denver Broncos. KC Chiefs fans should replace you as “the team to hate.”
They should replace you with…………….The Las Vegas Raiders!
Even the name sounds…oh…so…Darth Vaderish.
Actually, the Raiders are simply taking their place at the head of the class as the most hated rival of Chiefs fans. They occupied that spot in Chiefdom until John Elway and the Broncos became relevant.
Otis Sistrunk, John Madden, Kenny Stabler and Lyle Alzado – the Raiders’ “Evil Empire” produced villainous acts against the beloved Chiefs to sear into the memory banks of Chiefs fans that no good could come from a Raider.
Now the Raiders have moved to Las Vegas.
How appropriate. Sin City. The gambling and corruption capital of the USA.
The only thing that could make that scenario better would be if the evil Al Davis was still the owner of the Raiders.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
You could not have scripted this better if it was written in Hollywood.
Now couple all of this with the fact that John Gruden coaches those despicable Raiders and you have got the perfect enemy.
The perfect villain! Gruden is the “Freddy” from “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
That smirk on his face on the sidelines just begs to be wiped away by a Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass.
In week 2 of the NFL season the Raiders will host Monday Night Football. That could/will launch the Raiders back into a place of prominence in AFL West football.
As good as the Chiefs?
Maybe no, but certainly a lot closer than they’ve been in a decade or two. Allegiant Stadium in Vegas will be rocking as Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints come visiting. How appropriate that the two towns most known for partying will meet early in the season for a Monday Night Party.
Chiefs fans need to get their “hate on” before this season begins. Look for the Raiders to be legit.
They will be vastly improved over the Raiders that the Chiefs have dominated in recent years. The Raiders don’t have the offensive weapons that the Chiefs have, BUT they will be close enough to be a problem and close enough to make the Chiefs’ Nation uncomfortable.
As squirrely as Gruden acts, he can evaluate talent and coach.
In a new stadium and in a new city, Gruden’s swagger will be taken to a new level and it will infect the players on his team.
So, all of you Chiefs fans, forget those Denver Ponies. Your new most hated rival should be the Las Vegas Raiders. You don’t have to be at one of those Roulette tables to bet on it.
CHALK TALK…..If you think the coronavirus has changed the sports world, just wait until the full effect of the new rulings that allow college athletes to profit from their “image and likeness.”
TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said, “The bill worries me a lot. It could potentially destroy everything we know and love about college sports.”.....................Former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian once sarcastically said, “The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky it will probably slap another two years probation on Cleveland State.”
If that is true, then Savannah State had better watch out because the NCAA is really mad at Kansas!..............................................Former NY Yankee manager Casey Stengel once opined, “The secret of successful managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the four guys who haven’t made up their minds!”
