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.
posted by KC Chiefs Radio #
1:54 PM
If one listens closely, they will hear the "bootup tone" instead of the
Tomahawk Chop song at One Arrowhead Drive.
That sound is the "rebooting" of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Herm Edwards Era has NOW officially begun, and there is an internal excitment among players, coaches and front office personnel. Edwards used his first year to evaluate everything in the football operation of the Chiefs. Now, as he begins his second season as head coach, he will do so with 5 probable new offensive starters, 6 probable new defensive starters and new special teams
contributors. All told, there are 37 new faces on the roster, a roster where 49 of the 87 players in training camp have less than three years experience in the NFL.
There is uncertainty with this Chiefs team, but the excitement of the fresh approach by Edwards has overshadowed any reservation about the former. This is not your big brother's Kansas City Chiefs. This is a Chiefs team that is following a recipe of the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts.
It's also a team that will be creative with a more athletic, faster squad.
Watch Gunther Cunningham use an athletic front defensive seven to create havoc. In addition, watch how he and defensive back coach David Gibbs use their nickel and dime packages to take the defensive initiative and to cover weaknesses and lack of depth. New defenders; Turk McBride, Tank Tyler,
Napoleon Harris, Donnie Edwards (welcome back) Jon McGraw and young safeties
Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard all will have key roles.
Most expect a boring approach by the "new" offense. Conversly, there will be an attempt to spread the field and get opportunities for the playmakers in
"space". This will allow plays like Larry Johnson's catch and run for 78 yards last year @ Arizona. It was the longest offensive play in four years for the Chiefs and it was a simple screen pass. There may be less shifting and tricks involved than recent years past, but look for an approach to accentuate individuals playmaking ability. It reduces the margin of error for quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard and takes pressure off a less experienced offensive line.
Yes, I'm as excited as I've ever been as the Voice of the Chiefs Radio Network. Why? I've seen the computer "rebooted"...
