Kansas City Chiefs fans are facing disappointment as Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the city would skip the traditional Super Bowl rally this year following last year’s shooting.
On Jan. 31, Mayor Lucas revealed that in the event of the Chiefs winning the upcoming Super Bowl, there would be no rally due to safety concerns. The parade would remain the same.
“We continue to do the good work to make sure people are safe. Safe from not just shootings or cars that used violently but also avoiding stampedes,” Mayor Lucas told KMBC 9.
While the city’s safety measures are a top priority, fans were eager to come together and celebrate the team and now are voicing frustrations.
“My feelings are mixed,” said Professor Cody Tapp, host of “Cody & Gold” on 96.5 The Fan. “I understand we can’t do the same thing as last year, I think a lot of fans will be bummed.”
Tapp, who is no stranger to Kansas City sports fans, acknowledges the challenges of balancing safety with fan expectations.
“People are disappointed, they view this as their reward for being a fan for this whole year,” said Tapp. “Some people can’t afford to go to a game, most people can’t afford to go to a Super Bowl, but a rally is free.”
Other fans seem shocked that the city couldn’t find another way to hold the event.
“Even at events like the KC Irish Festival, when you go in, you have a security check,” said psychology major Kaylee Riley.
A popular idea for an alternative celebration is to hold the rally at Arrowhead Stadium for better crowd control.
“Arrowhead does it, but it only holds 70,000. So it limits the audience regardless.” said Tapp.
Or even just having a televised event that fans could enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.
“There’s a rumor, they might televise what would be a private ceremony. It would theoretically include all the normal festivities including speeches from Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt and Star Quarterback Patrick Mahomes,” said Tapp.
Despite fan outcry, at the end of the day only one fact remains.
“When you are talking about hundreds of thousands of people, I genuinely do not think you can guarantee safety to everyone,” said Tapp.
