Fan(ning) The Flame … Christmas Eve Cup O’Chiefs
It was about two hours after last Sunday’s Chiefs-Browns game had ended. Todd Haley was finally getting out of the building, joining his family that was waiting for him and piling into the car to head home.
It was dark outside and it was dark in the Chiefs Nation as the team has fallen to Cleveland, making it four defeats in a row and cementing a 3-11 record on the season.
But as he got into his car, Haley noticed a group of fans standing outside the fence that rings the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot where the team leaves their cars for home games.
“I was blown away,” Haley said of the group that stood in the darkness. “We just got beat in a very disappointing manner and there’s 30 people, women, men, children, standing by that fence in the construction (area) and it’s two hours after the game. I was blown away.”
Haley got out of his car and went over and spoke to the fans. He signed autographs; he accepted words of encouragement and energy that those fans still had despite the game’s ugly outcome.
“That’s what I grew up a part of being in Pittsburgh,” said Haley. “I just know you’ve got to stay the course, you’ve got to fight through these rough times to get to the Promised Land. There is a Promised Land and you have to believe and know you are going to get there.”
There’s at least one Chiefs fan running around saying he had a very different encounter with Haley last Sunday.
Calling himself a long-time season ticket holder, this fan contacted a local television station to say that as Haley came off the field at the end of the game, the head coach made an obscene gesture to him, i.e. he flipped him the bird, the one finger peace sign, the unholy digit.
Haley said it didn’t happen.
“That’s not how I behave,” Haley said. “I have five children that I have to be a role model for and it’s not something I would do.”
These are tough times for the Chiefs. There are some who believe the franchise has hit the lowest point in its Kansas City history. The team is 9-37 over the last three seasons, with two games left to play in the ‘09 season. There has been no other time in team history where they have won so few games in a three-year span. Before now, the worst time was 1976-78, when they were 11-33.
In the middle of this losing is Haley. GM Scott Pioli is seldom seen. Team chairman Clark Hunt is not visible. The man that Hunt and Pioli have pushed out in front to take all the bullets and arrows is Haley.
So right now, the wrath of the fans and media types lands on the head coach. Over the last nine months, he has done a fairly good job handling the glare of the constant spotlight and the negativity that comes from the stands, from the talk show callers, from the columnists and from the hairdos on television.
Make no mistake Haley hears the displeasure when he’s at the stadium. His infrequent personal tasting of the Kansas City media have shown him enough to know that it’s better to have angry fans, than it is to have quiet followers. The only thing that trumps anger is apathy.
Haley has worked hard to not allow the tornado swirling around him to push him off course. Some would call that being stupid. Others would call it being stubborn. But the only thing Haley has shown everyone so far is that he sticks to what he believes in and the “process” to get where he wants to go.
“To get the job done you can’t be distracted,” Haley said. “If I get distracted by everything that’s said or went on. I have strict rules even at the house. I’ve cut my wife off from listening. My daughter told me there was a Todd Haley fan site on Facebook. I said what are there two people signed up? If I get distracted or caught up in worrying then I’ll be affected in some way.
“I’ve been a part of what has to be done. I’m in a learning process for myself. This is my first time being the head coach but I’d like to feel like I’ve been around the right people and have the right mentality and thought process to get it done. Now, is it going to be easy? No. Is it easy right now? No. These are rough waters and you got to have the mindset to stay the course and that’s what these players have to have. They cannot get distracted. If you get distracted it’s a cycle that goes on and on and on.”
That’s happened before with the Chiefs. Lamar Hunt, Jack Steadman, Jim Schaaf and their coaches got distracted by empty seats, fan discontent and sometimes even player discontent (see firing of John Mackovic). That’s what created a cycle where for 18 years, there was but one trip to the playoffs and five seasons with a winning record.
It took two very strong-willed, stubborn and talented men to stop the cycle and move the Chiefs into a different pattern. Their names were Carl Peterson and Marty Schottenheimer. They didn’t do everything right. All their personnel decisions did not work out. But under Peterson-Schottenheimer a foundation was laid, winning was taught and team success followed for a decade.
The world of pro football is a different place 20 years after Carl/Marty took over. Instant results are demanded by the fans and the media. To make that happen it’s going to take another pair of strong, stubborn and talented men. They will need to ignore the screaming fans, the babbling talk show types and the gilded columnists that live in a never-never land that’s filled with unaccountability and personal agendas.
Is Pioli the man? Hard to say; we sure haven’t seen much of him yet. Is Haley capable? Might be, might not, but 14 games isn’t enough of a sampling to make an education decision.
“I’m very appreciative of the people who are willing to hang tough through these tough times,” said Haley.
SIGNINGS, HONORS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
- AFC – named Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger offensive player of the week, Ravens CB Dominique Foxworthy defensive player of the week and Browns returner Joshua Cribbs special teams player of the week.
- NFC – named Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart offensive player of the week, Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware defensive player of the week and Cardinals punter Ben Graham special teams player of the week.
- BILLS – placed S Jairus Byrd on the injured-reserve list (groin); signed LB Josh Stamer.
- BUCCANEERS – claimed WR Mark Bradley on waivers (Chiefs).
- 49ERS – signed P Ricky Schmitt.
- LIONS – QB Drew Stanton will start on Sunday against
- RAIDERS – said Charlie Frye will be the starting quarterback against the Browns on Sunday.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On December 24, 1989, the Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 at Joe Robbie Stadium. In the final game of the first season of the Peterson-Schottenheimer Era, the Chiefs held off a late Dolphins rally and got the victory with a 41-yard FG from Nick Lowery. The Chiefs had a big second quarter when they scored three touchdowns, topped by a 20yard TD throw from Steve DeBerg to Stephone Paige. James Saxon scored o n a six-yard run and Christian Okoye (right) banged it in from a yard away. Lowery added a 19-yard FG with his game winner. Miami QB Dan Marino threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Chiefs. It was the second victory of that season for Kansas City over Miami; at that time the two fifth place teams from the divisions with five teams were scheduled to face each other in home-and-home games. The victory left the Chiefs with an 8-7-1 record for the season.
On December 24, 1994, the Chiefs beat the Raiders 19-9 in a Saturday afternoon game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Chiefs rode the legs of RB Marcus Allen (left) to the victory that qualified them for the playoffs. Allen ran 33 times for 132 yards, as the Chiefs racked up 420 yards in total offense. QB Joe Montana found WR Willie Davis for a 47-yard touchdown pass. The defense contributed with a 78-yard interception return for a score by Mark Collins. The Chiefs also got a field goal from Lin Elliott and a safety, when Raiders OT Don Mosebar was penalized for tripping in the end zone. The KC defenses also got two sacks, one each from LB Derrick Thomas and DE Darren Mickell.
On December 24, 1995, the Chiefs beat the Seattle Seahawks 26-3 at Arrowhead Stadium. A Christmas Eve crowd of 75,784 watched the Chiefs defense throttle the Seahawks, giving up just 89 yards in total offense, a number that remains a franchise record for the KC defense. Seattle had 26 rushing yards on 17 carries and 63 net passing yards. Seahawks QB John Friesz and Rick Mirer were sacked four times, all coming from KC defensive linemen: Neil Smith, Darren Mickell, Joe Phillips and Dan Saleaumua. The Chiefs got four FGs from K Lin Elliott and WR Tamarick Vanover (right) had a pair of touchdowns. First he returned the game’s opening kickoff 89 yards for a score and in the second quarter caught a nine-yard TD pass from QB Steve Bono. RB Greg Hill ran for 113 yards on 21 carries. The victory allowed the Chiefs to finish the regular season with a 13-3 record, the best in the AFC.
On December 24, 2000, the Chiefs lost to the Atlanta Falcons 29-13 at the Georgia Dome. In the final game of the season, the Chiefs got behind early and were unable to catch the home team. A 21-yard touchdown pass from QB Elvis Grbac to TE Tony Gonzalez tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter. But Atlanta scored the next 22 points, with five field goals from K Morten Andersen. The Chiefs only other TD came late in the game when RB Frank Moreau scored on a one-yard run. The Falcons defense held the Chiefs offense to 49 rushing yards and 259 yards in total offense. The loss left the Chiefs 7-9 on the season.
On December 24, 2005, the Chiefs beat the San Diego Chargers 20-7 in a Saturday afternoon game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs led 20-7 at half-time and road that to a victory, as RB Larry Johnson scored two touchdowns and ran 32 times for 131 yards. QB Trent Green threw a pair of TD passes, 28 yards to Johnson and 42 yards to WR Samie Parker. The KC defense had a Patrick Surtain (left) interception of San Diego QB Drew Brees and a sack by DE Jared Allen.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on December 24, 1976 in Omaha, Nebraska was OL Chris Bober. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Chiefs in 2004, after playing three seasons with the Giants. Bober spent three seasons (2004-06) playing with the Chiefs, appearing in 45 games, with seven starts. He spent the ‘07 season with the Chiefs but did not play because of injury.
Bob, do the Chiefs have cameras (for security or coaching purposes) in areas that would have caught this alleged encounter between Haley and the fan?
I simply cannot imagine Haley (or anyone) would be foolish enough to lie about something like this considering today’s technology. Haley would have no idea if, for example, a fan was aiming a cell phone camera at him while he left the field.
Going on that assumption, I would love to see the team release a tape to both settle the issue and put this guy and Jack Harry in their place.
If you bother to read the fan’s full account of Sunday’s game, he actually brags about heckling a Chiefs’ rookie throughout the game, and subsequently brags about arguments he’s started with coaches and figure-gestures he’s received from different players over the years because of things he’s said to them.
Being a long-time season ticket holder doesn’t absolve someone from also being a loud-mouthed jerk. And if he is a liar, he deserves to exposed as such.
In the spirit of Christmas…
No, that’s a copout. I’d like to give Haley the benefit of the doubt but the team under his leadership has gotten worse from last year, when certainly some positive indicators or results should be seen by now. Before the season began, I thought, realistically, a 6-10 W-L record for these 2009 Chiefs would be a good indicator of upward progress.
That won’t happen and now we hear stories of the players tuning Haley out if not being totally apathetic and this latest tempest in a teapot of the fan claiming to be birded by Haley. Let’s leave all that on the sideboard.
I’m wondering why Pioli and Hunt haven’t gotten out in front of this downturn, taken the heat on and re-affirmed their plan for getting the Chiefs out of this current funk and back to a winning franchise again? It’s sort of like a politician having his opponent run negative ads and ignoring them. If the ads aren’t answered, the voters have to conclude they’re true.
My point is that the Chiefs are sending out all these negative ads, (Play on the field, Haley’s alleged demeanor with fans, apathy growing in the ranks etc) to their fans and the top leadership is electing to not answer as well. I do agree with a statement made by Bob in this article: These are the darkest days I’ve experienced as a Chief’s fan
The last few months have been instructive: Kansas City sports media are shallow and not very bright. The questions in Haley’s press conferences range from painful to laughable. They focus more on Haley’s mood than any player’s performance. There is more concern about a rumor of a player grumbling than the observable fact of a WR dropping pass after pass. That, too, is now Haley’s fault—- because he’s angry about the dropped passes. Of course, Herm patting Bowe on the butt after dropped passes hasn’t proven to be a winning coaching method.
I have just as much interest in passion for the Chiefs as I ever had. And because of that, I rarely listen to the BUFFOONS on talk radio or read columnists named Whitlock.
Bob, I really appreciate your web site. You have never avoided criticism of the Chiefs and have always provided insight and facts on what’s going on in games and practices.
I wouldn’t call it “balance.” I think you just report what you see and think. You don’t bend to popular sentiment and you aren’t affected by peer pressure.
Hope you are being rewarded with much web traffic. You are a better writer, analyst and reporter than anyone in the media who covers the Chiefs.
Keep up the great work. It is much appreciated.
I second Tenand6’s sentiments. Great site and great writing by Gretz and it is very much appreciated.
Good and acurate post Tenand6, I could not add one more thing, Merry christmas and Happy New year to all!
Tenand6 is spot on. It’s often amusing to watch a Chiefs game on Sunday and then check out the various accounts in the KC football media.
I frequently wonder if these football “journalists” saw the same game most of the rest of us did.
I cant add much from the posts already
Bob GREAT article. I have to say haley is more a man than me. I dont know if I could handle all the stuff that he has had to deal with this season.
IN PIOLI/HALEY IN TRUST
Merry Christmas everyone
see ya next week
Agree with Tenand6. Had to listen to WIBW yesterday because 610 and 810 treated this as if it were a real story. (Live outside of area, so don’t get to listen to much local sportstalk.) Come on Harry, calling Haley a wus? That’s pathetic.
Hunt is the owner; he hires people to face the media for him. And yes, that’s part of Haley’s job, to face the media. For some reason people on radio wanted to debate that. Let’s move on to what this team needs to do to become competitive. And yes, it would be nice to see Pioli’s face once in a while.
These sports writers ,coaches , and players ,plus management and owners are far from perfect …
Bob Gretz is the closest thing to being perfect ———-and me . almost forgot , plus there was something else and it slips my mind , later .
sorry,
IN PIOLI/HALEY I TRUST
Well said Tenand6. This is the only site I go to daily to see what’s going on with my favorite football team. I find a clarity and directness here that I don’t find elsewhere.
I can empathize with Haley. 12 years ago I went through a similar situation at work. Major screw up came to light right after I reported as senior supervisor. Seemed like for the next 6 months nothing went right. Persevered, got through it and made it a successful period in my working life.
I try to keep this in mind when I get flat out disgusted with a game like last week. Hopefully we can turn the corner this off season and see some decided improvement next year.
Go Chiefs and Merry Christmas to all.
Hey Bob, as always great work. And happy holidays to Chiefs Nation!
“Instant results are demanded by the fans and the media.”
Not sure that this applies to the Chiefs current situation. While Pioli/Haley are in Year 1, Chiefs fans are in Year 3. That’s not instant and it needs to turn quickly.
The fans need a couple of things while rebuilding. Effort, fundamentals, budding talent. Haven’t seen Fundamentals all season long; blocking, tackling, catching. The Effort is not consistent; the defense hasn’t played the last couple of weeks and the offense didn’t play hard early. Budding talent is scarce; Charles, Flowers and Succop are the few draft choices performing.
This off season has got to be a big one for Pioli/Haley who have to get us back to .500. Familiar? That was this year’s expectation.
[...] Chiefs News Chiefs Update | Chiefs Football at BobGretz.comBut as he got into his car, Haley noticed a group of fans standing outside the fence that rings the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot where the team leaves their cars for home games. "I was blown away," Haley said of the group that stood in the darkness. "We just got beat in a very disappointing manner and there’s 30 people, women, men, children, standing by that fence in the construction (area) and it’s two hours after the game. I was blown away." [...]
Good stuff from all, especially 10 and 6. Bob, thanks for a great site for Chiefs fans and the insight and experience you bring to your craft. I suppose your view depends upon your perspective. I would encourage others not to give up or make your minds up too quickly. Change is unsettling for most and typically takes time. That is true in this example as well, as painful as it is for all of us who anticipate and hope for better results. But I remain hopeful better times will follow and the sea of red will return to Arrowhead. In the meantime happy holidays to all Chiefs fans.
[...] Chiefs News Chiefs Update | Chiefs Football at BobGretz.comBut as he got into his car, Haley noticed a group of fans standing outside the fence that rings the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot where the team leaves their cars for home games. "I was blown away," Haley said of the group that stood in the darkness. "We just got beat in a very disappointing manner and there’s 30 people, women, men, children, standing by that fence in the construction (area) and it’s two hours after the game. I was blown away." [...]
I find the real story that Bob was telling was the part where Todd Haley greeted those fans at the fence. Even while his wife & kids were in the car waiting for him. Imagine young, sure to be cranky kids waiting several hours after a game & then waiting in the car for daddy to take them home. Todd Haley is a good man & probably a better father. I’m sure he explained to his kids on the way home, why he took the time out to thank & mingle briefly with the devoted fans. That is a good story. Thanks Bob
On the other half of the story. “Cry me a river”. I’m not buying it.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Go Chiefs.
Merry Christmas to all. This story is fluff and unimportant, either way. Next year Pioli/Haley will not be given the grace period they have this year. A rebuild must take the first step, successful first step, and while that was not apparent this year, will be in the forefront in 2010. So I want everyone to have a HAPPY HOLIDAY and a GREAT START TO 2010. Looking forward to the first day of free agency.
Chiefs fans are not looking for a “good man” to lead their team. They want a good coach. The guy could flip the bird on a regular occasion and nobody would care if we were winning.
Haley is no master mind. He is coaching based on how he was taught. I believe he has the will to stay the course, unfortunately he may fall on his face if he can’t put his own fingerprint on his coaching style. Does he have anything unique to add to the mix? Is he inventive enough to add something that maybe hasn’t been seen before? Or is he just a guy that can take highly talented players and help them to focus better.
Do not care a fig about Haley, today. It is Christmas Eve and got 5 granddaughters to watch destroy wrapping paper and see what they got. It is a great day no matter what the Chiefs do. Have a good holiday and happy new year (Mad Chief and ED of course included).
Bob, thanks once again for the dose of class. Watching my local news on NBC and heard the report of Todd’s “Digital Greeting”.
They never report on the Chiefs but this story grew legs fast.
Merry Christmas to all.
Hopefully, next year at this time we’ll be having some different duscussions…after a more successful season.
Well it just goes to show how much work these guys have to do. Everyone knows that this team is the worst in the AFC. Pioli it is time to roll your sleeves up after the next two weeks and try to stop the laughter that echoes throughout this organization. Happy Holidays to all the CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFFFFFFFFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This “fan” is a real d**che who is obviously trying to start a controversy because he is mad about the losing. I highly doubt Haley flipped anyone off on Sunday, but you don’t hear the fan saying what he HIMSELF was doing or saying to draw such a gesture. If you get flipped off, in the world I live in, it’s because YOU did something to instigate it. Not that that makes it right, that’s just the way it is. I believe Haley is innocent and this “fan” is a big, fat, royal, D**CHE looking for attention.
It was probably Rin.
I will always support you coach haley.
also appreciate you not throwing gansz under the bus in there….wasnt his fault that he was a special teams coach thrown into the HC position in a strike year.
also agreed ten, at first I thought Bob had gone negative a few months back, now I dont see it that way…he brings both sides in a fair way…and I agree far too much focus is on haley’s mood, or ONE fan claiming haley flicked him off…Did I say Haley told me Im starting on Sunday? Wonder if Jack is interested in that story. Obviously he would. Then of course he would send a rep the next day instead of facing haley…further making haley out like a blow hard….when he would have just brushed the guy aside and probably would have said little to nothing.
I want some focus on our D, is Pendergast going to be on the staff in a different capacity…who are our best OC candidates? QB Coach? Romeo Crennel for our D? Will Wilfork be willing to come to KC and will be be willing to finally spend the money to bring in a top end free agent in his prime…Logan Mankins would be in there as well. Also, what happens if KC lands Suh? By losing to cleveland, KC helped themselves come draft time.
also who will stay this offseason? who is worthy of a starting spot besides flowers/carr/charles/albertguard)ocallghan/Cassel/Hali/
Seasons greetings to all. I think we should make merry this weekend. Would not hurt if the Chiefs were able to win sunday, just a Christmas wish.
Suh is a stud, but does he fit in a pro 3-4? Chiefs are finding out the hard way about adapting to a 3-4 with the wrong people.
Haley deserves another year, but he also needs to get an OC he can live with. Gailey is a great coach, but did not have the same philosophy as Haley. Too bad this wasn’t diagnosed before the season.
Hopefully next year we are examining how our favorite team is fighting for a playoff spot. Bob, thanks for the excellent site. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all and there have been some wonderful points made especially by Bob. A lot of KC media has been upset because of the way the Chiefs hierarchy has not let them have the access to info like the past. This has actually made some people have to work like reporters did back in the old days to get their stories. Harry wants to be the first to crack a story but doesn’t check out his leads. Hopefully Pioli, Haley, and Hunt have started talking about who’s available in FA and the 2010 draft. Also, lets get Weis and Crennel in here immediately some at this time next year we can talk about the playoffs instead of all the bad that’s happenned this year.
El Cid
Looks like the perfect storm for the Chiefs to win ,then Cin. is going to blame Big Larry for screwing their chances in the playoff .
Every one is here except Brad C. ane Pope might be a good fill in .
This really is a HUGE game !
Bob–Thanks for the article, and for your continued efforts to bring balanced, thoughtful reporting to the table. I have to admit I was devoted to this site for awhile…and got driven away by some off-task commenters…but this article, and the useful discussion afterward might draw me back in.
Merry Christmas everyone–and GO CHIEFS.