It may not make the cover of GQ or COSMO, but its become the fashion statement of the 2007 Chiefs training camp.
A fashion statement of caring and unity! There are times when I'm especially proud to be assoicated with the Chiefs. July 26-29 was one of those time periods.
The hot new item is the Greensburg Ranger hats being worn in River Falls by coaches, players, front office personnel and the rest of the training camp contingent. Most know the story by now. On May 4, 2007 at 9:45pm, one of the strongest EF 5 tornadoes ever recorded struck the town of Greensburg, Kansas. The town was essentially wiped out. The Greensburg community is determined to rebuild, including a rebirth of community spirit. That's where the Kansas City Chiefs become involved.
The Chiefs family is raising money to help the Greensburg Ranger football team get back on the field in 2007. President/General Manager/CEO of the Chiefs Carl Peterson has been on a personal mission to raise funds from a variety of sources, including the NFL. He has been joined in the crusade by Chiefs Head Coach Herm Edwards. A presentation was made by Peterson and Edwards to the Chiefs team on July 26 showing the devastation of the Greensburg tornado. The following night at a team meeting, Edwards passed out the hats which display the letter "G" on the front of the hat and a small Chiefs arrowhead on the back. In a single evening, the team members of the Chiefs pledged thousands of dollars to help buy equipment for the Ranger football team and cheerleader squad.
The hat is a way to raise awareness of the challenge facing the residents of Greensburg and to unite everyone in the Chiefs Kingdom to help a community that was literally blown off the Kansas map. There are other Chiefs heroes in this cause. Director of Community Relations, Brenda Snizek has spent many hours on the project working on fundraising and logistics to make the cause become a reality. Equipment manager Mike Davidson has worked closely with equipment vendors to help supply the Ranger requests.
The Ranger football team is scheduled to be the guests of the franchise for the New Orleans preseason game August 23rd. Its a team that wasn't sure if they would ever play football again. They lost their homes, some lost loved ones and they thought they lost their team. Yet, the Rangers will be back on the field if the Chiefs have anything to do with it.
The hats have become a conversation piece with fans in River Falls. Moreover, the hats have become a strong symbol. A symbol of a town trying to rebound from a horrible natural disaster. A symbol of caring by the Kansas City Chiefs. A symbol of unity for an entire football franchise and family.
