AP

‘Our own dynasty’: Kansas City fetes latest Super Bowl win

Feb 14, 2023, 8:12 AM | Updated: Feb 15, 2023, 2:25 pm

Kansas CIty Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt brings out the new Super Bowl trophy to join the fir...

Kansas CIty Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt brings out the new Super Bowl trophy to join the first two during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)


              Kansas CIty Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt brings out the new Super Bowl trophy to join the first two during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker meets with fans during the NFL team's victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Fans wait in front of the Union Station before the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Fans celebrate during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              A couple of young Chiefs fans make the most of the morning waiting for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans pose for a photo during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray celebrates with fans during the NFL football team's victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs players celebrate during the Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans dance to the music during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              The Kansas City Chiefs' parade arrives for their victory rally in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              A fan waves a sign with Patrick Mahomes' photo on it during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Travis Kelce takes part in the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is showered with confetti by Carlos Dunlap as Patrick Mahomes, right, watches during the Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, is cheered on by Patrick Mahomes, back right, while giving a speech during the Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Patrick Mahomes takes part in the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, second left, and head coach Andy Reid, right, take part in the NFL football team's victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and teammates react to the crowd during the Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans celebrate during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              A couple of young Chiefs fans make the most of the morning waiting for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans pose for a photo during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans wait in front of the Union Station before the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Fans dance to the music during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans celebrate during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans gather for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)
            
              Fans arrive in front of the Union Station before the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              A couple of young Chiefs fans make the most of the morning waiting for the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans pose for a photo during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Fans wait in front of the Union Station before the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, following the Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Fans dance to the music during the Kansas City Chiefs' victory celebration and parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.  The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate their team's win at the end of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at a watch party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate their team's win as they watch the end of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at a party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate their team's win as they watch the end of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at a party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate their team's win at the end of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles during a watch party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, top, sits next to the Vince Lombardi Trophy as Travis Kelce, bottom, gets on a bus after returning home a day after winning the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, hands off the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, right, after the team returned home a day after winning the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones walks to a waiting bus as he and teammates return home a day after winning the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, walks to a bus after he and teammates returned home a day after winning the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Members of the Kansas City Chiefs deplane after arriving back home a day after winning the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate their team's win at the end of the NFL Super Bowl 57  football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at a watch party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate their team's win at the end of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles during a watch party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
            
              A Philadelphia Eagles fan, left, reacts as Kansas City fans celebrate a Chiefs touchdown during the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game at a watch party in the Power and Light entertainment district in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce promised thousands of fans celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl championship Wednesday that the team will be back for more.

During a boisterous victory rally at downtown’s Union Station after a parade, Mahomes and Kelce joked about “experts” who predicted the just-concluded NFL season would be a rebuilding year for the Chiefs, who defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 on Sunday.

“We’re back again, we’re back again,” Mahomes, the NFL’s regular season and Super Bowl MVP, told thousands of cheering fans clad in the Chiefs’ red and gold team colors.

“When we started this season the AFC West said we were rebuilding,” Mahomes said. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know what rebuilding means. In our rebuilding year, we’re world champs, we’re world champs.”

Kelce noted that some “haters” predicted the Chiefs wouldn’t even make the playoffs.

“In all reality, this was this best season of my life,” Kelce said. “I owe it to (the fans), I owe it to the guys on this stage, I owe it to everybody in Chiefs Kingdom and the organization we’ve been able to create.”

Celebrating his second Super Bowl win with the Chiefs, coach Andy Reid told the crowd that “there’s no place you’d rather be, and no greater place to be than right here, baby. … Not very often are you able to say you’re the greatest team in the world, you have the greatest players in the world, have the greatest organization in the world and, most of all, the greatest fans in the world.”

The rally festivites wrapped up a day that began with some fans who slept overnight — and others arriving before sunrise –to get a prime spot downtown to celebrate the Chiefs’ second Super Bowl championship in four NFL seasons.

Players, coaches, team officials, family members and others rode double-decker buses past legions of fans, sometimes standing up to 10 people deep, as the parade rolled down a main downtown street on the way to the Union Station rally.

Many players got off the buses to dance, sign autographs, take selfies and occasionally hand out beers to supporters along the route. Some lucky fans were able to touch the Lombardi Trophy, which denoted the Chiefs’ win.

Most schools, many businesses and some government offices in the Kansas City metro area were closed to allow fans to enjoy the festivities. Most were in good spirits while waiting in long lines for food trucks, merchandise trucks and, of course, portable toilets. Police did not immediately report any major problems during the event.

After decades of championship drought, the city is gaining experience with victory parades. Four seasons ago, the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers for the team’s first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. That followed the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015, the city’s first baseball championship in 30 years.

Shellie Diehl, 46, of Kansas City, was seated about a block from Union Station, joined by her 8-year-old daughter, Skyler; 16-year-old daughter, Taylor; and a friend. Diehl said she came to the Chiefs parade in 2020 and decided to have mother-daughter time on Wednesday while celebrating Skyler’s first parade.

“The last one was so much fun, we decided we had to come to this one,” Diehl said. “We’re big Chiefs fans, and we wanted to celebrate a great day with the community.”

Some fans admitted that Kansas City might be getting a little spoiled.

“Kind of getting used to it, but that’s OK,” said Liz Barber, 50, of Shawnee, Kansas. “It is good.”

“We had a 50-year-drought, so it’s about time we had our own dynasty,” said David Cordray, 38, of Kansas City.

Some 25 Chiefs fans who arrived about 6 a.m. cooked up a breakfast feast, complete with corn on the cob, bacon and potatoes and all the trimmings — and they had steaks ready for later in the day. Dominic Zamora, 18, said the group of friends were continuing a tailgating tradition at Chiefs games.

“With Mahomes, there’s more to come,” Zamora said. “It’s going to be fun, and I’m excited to show up.”

Manuel Palacio, 48, was dressed in a cow’s suit in a tribute to Kansas City’s “Cowtown” nickname. He said he was a longtime Buffalo Bills fan who converted to the Chiefs after losing a bet with a Chiefs fan.

“I had to convert,” Palacio said. “It’s like being an Oakland Raiders fan; at some point you have to cheer for the team who keeps winning,” he said, laughing.

Officials began planning the parade weeks before the Chiefs defeated the Eagles on a field goal with 8 seconds remaining in the game. Kansas City police said about 675 law enforcement officers from more than 20 agencies, along with fire departments and transportation officials, were deployed for Wednesday’s event.

The City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earmarked $750,000 for parade-related expenses, while Mayor Quinton Lucas estimated overtime costs for police and firefighters would total more than $1.5 million. The Kansas City Sports Commission was expected to contribute another $1 million in private donations for parade expenses and sponsorships, and the Jackson County Legislature voted to add $75,000.

——

Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City contributed to this story.

___

This story has been updated to correct that it’s Kansas City’s second championship in four seasons, not in two years.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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