Chiefs Travis Kelce Embracing Ridiculous Fan Narrative

The second storyline has risen from, of course, jealousy. But also from K.C.'s remarkable 17-game winning streak in one-score games in which they have had their share of good fortune. Were there questionable calls along the way? Sure. But for three consecutive seasons? Wholly irrational.

Still, to some the perceived favorable officiating has led the Chiefs to suddenly being the villains. This despite a popular quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, popular head coach in Andy Reid and mega-popular No. 1 fan in Taylor Swift.

"I love it," Kelce said of playing the role of villain on this week's episode of the New Heights podcast with brother, Jason. "At one point in time, it wasn't that. I was the 'do you feel bad for 'em guys.' I'm enjoying doing this with the guys together. The guys that we have in there because it just makes us even more of a family. You just circle the wagons."

The first storyline - "Chiefs fatigue" - comes with the territory of running a dynasty. In the 1970s NFL fans were tired of the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the 1990s they'd seen enough of the Dallas Cowboys and since the turn of the century we can all barely stomach Tom Brady.

But if America is truly sick of watching the Chiefs win, the numbers don't show it. TV ratings for K.C. games are setting all-time records and oddsmakers have established them as 2-point favorites against the Philadelphia Eagles Feb. 9.

FS1 First Things First analyst Chris Broussard brought up proof that the "fatigue" is just a myth, saying fans voluntarily missed a clear exit ramp if they wanted off the Chiefs' bandwagon.

In September, Brittany Mahomes, liked a post from Donald Trump on Instagram. After internet sleuths noticed, the former and current president thanked her in a subsequent post. Politics is usually polarizing.

“We know we live in a completely polarized society as far as politics,” Broussard said. “When Mahomes’ family, his wife, supported Trump, that was a reason half the country could have really jumped on Mahomes and Kansas City … and gone at them. I didn’t see that happen for the most part. That was a reason that a lot of people could have been like, ‘see that’s why I hate the Chiefs.’ And you didn’t get that. I think you didn’t get it because Mahomes is so great that people let him go.”