reasons 11 and 10

I separated the two, even though they're joined at the hip.

Reason 11, is the loyal Chiefs fanbase.

Reason 10, is the tailgating we Chiefs fans know how to enjoy.

The fanbase for the Chiefs has certainly taken a beating the last few years. When I first moved into section 132 9 years ago, the face value on my ticket was $49 / game. I currently pay $84 / game. 9 years, $35 additional dollars, for what? Two postseason appearances, one division title, zero playoff wins.

I'm sure many other Chiefs fans feel the same as I do. Frustrated. Irritated. Sick and tired of being taken advantage of by a GM who doesn't give a crap about the fanbase. (Oh, wait. We got rid of that guy. Scratch that last point).

Its been 15 years and counting since the Chiefs last won a playoff game. Let's put this into perspective. I was a junior in HIGH SCHOOL when the Chiefs last won a playoff game. The only NFL teams who have gone longer without a playoff win than the Chiefs? The expansion Houston Texans, the Detroit Lions, and the Cincinnati Bengals. We are in lofty company, let me tell you.

And yet, in the 154 home games played since that win in Houston (31 preseason, 120 regular season, 3 postseason), one thing has been constant.

Sold Out.

Granted, preseason games always need help from TV5 to sell out, and we had some close calls the last couple Decembers. But the tickets eventually move. Because no matter how bad this team is, we're always just a little short at most of avoiding a local blackout.

That's a loyal fanbase. That's us. Diehards who show up, rain or shine, hot or cold, sun or no sun, to root on the only thing this city has to offer that's actually worth rooting for. You, me, us, we're reason 11.

Because what we do is reason 10.

I've been to a few NFL stadiums in my day. Of all the ones I have visited, nothing compares to Arrowhead on GameDay. (Full disclosure: I have never been to Lambeau. I suspect that would compare very favorably).

Where else do you see a 6 to 7 row, 6 car deep line to get in just one gate ... at 7am, 90 minutes before the gates open? Where else do you find folks who show up without a ticket, with no desire to purchase one, who show up just to tailgate and watch the game on the TV at the bus? (A tradition apparently getting revived in our tailgating group this fall. I like it. Its been a couple years, but I like the return of this. If only because it means we don't have to break everything down and pack it up before heading in, that buys us another 15-20 minutes of boozing).

The smoke, the smell, in the parking lot on GameDay, as great as it gets. Not good. Great.

When I began this great part of life known as being a "Chiefs Season Ticket Holder", we had a nice, small, compact tailgating group that was in the same spot every game. Lot N, at the crosswalk, next to the port-a-potties. Sadly, people come and go, good friends pass on, and times change. But change is a good thing. Its led to even more incredible tailgating. Some of the group have migrated down to the Grigsby tailgate in front of Lot G.

And yes, it is that Grigsby clan. As in Boomer Grigsby. How awesome, how unbelievable awesome, was it to tailgate for three years with a NFL player's family? (I'll tell you: it was un-f*cking-believable). The postgame exits were always the best. You never knew what to expect. The long stretch convertible with the longhorn steer headpiece. "Stalker Lady". Good times.

The rest of us migrated to "The Bus" crowd in the back of Lot G. The group has changed over the last few years, as again, some fans have moved on, some have passed on, and some simply don't come anymore. But for every loss, there's a victory. You lose Joe and Robert, you gain Will and Tyler (hooray!). You lose Beth and Debbie, you gain Dusty and Kellie (hooray!) You lose Vessie, you gain Katie (hooray!) Hell, even C to the Neeck has made multiple appearances the last few years. We might have to start rolling out the "Smokers Welcome!" mat if we keep adding to the "smoker population"!

Reason 10 is the tailgating. Anyone who's ever done it at Arrowhead, knows how great it is. And I believe our best days are in front of us. So if you're coming Saturday, we'll be in our usual spot. Lot G, northwest grassy lot, across from what used to be the G30 sign, only said sign isn't there anymore. Any reader of mine always has a spot to live the Arrowhead Experience.