The Chiefs have a plan for The Chop, and it’s ... subtle

[xen 1,010,220]

let's see if we can have a reasonable discussion on this. 

The Chiefs have a plan for The Chop, and it’s ... subtle. Here’s what’s in store Thursday

BY SAM MELLINGER

SEPTEMBER 09, 2020 04:15 PM , UPDATED SEPTEMBER 09, 2020 04:23 PM

After months of conversation and much internal debate, the Kansas City Chiefs’ strategy with Native American imagery will be subtle. Some fans probably won’t notice it.

But here’s what will happen at Arrowhead Stadium Thursday, before the Chiefs and Houston Texans kick off in what will be the country’s most watched game since the Super Bowl:

Native Americans will bless the big ceremonial drum like always, and before the drumbeat starts an announcement will be made that incorporating the drum into the game-day experience is a “privilege” and that fans are invited to join as they beat the drum.

The cheerleaders will then do the same chop motion, but with a closed fist instead of open palm. You know, signaling the beating of the drum.

“Admittedly it’s a subtle change,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said. “But it’s a step, and it’s a change.”

This is in addition to other previously announced changes for this season, including the elimination of Warpaint the horse, headdresses, and face-paint that references Native American culture.

Donovan cited conversations with what the club has called its “working group” of Native Americans from regional tribes, as well as the National Congress of American Indians. Both offered support for the organization’s subtle alterations, Donovan said, with the understanding that these are steps in a bigger process.

“For us, it’s trying to find that balance,” Donovan said. “Knowing our fans are going to do this, no matter what we do. If we can change it into the beating of the drum, we think that’s better than the chop.”

Again, these changes are small. The drumbeat song will still be played, and Donovan said there will be no direction given to play it more or less often. They’ll still call it the Arrowhead Chop. Most fans, Donovan knows, will still call it the tomahawk chop.

He characterized it this way: Some fans won’t notice, some won’t care and “others will appreciate that it’s a change in the right direction.”

Some analysis. The Chiefs are essentially splitting the middle here. The organization has had ongoing conversations with various Native American groups for six years. They’ve heard different perspectives, though they’ve never had formal talks with any who want the name of the team or stadium changed.

They can be fairly criticized for that, but they also have a constituency to consider. The Chop has become a beloved part of the game-day experience at Arrowhead for many. Once, in the 1990s, the team announced it would no longer do The Chop.

So many fans wrote and called in that the decision was almost immediately reversed.

That history echoes here, now. The team has been shown that radical change to these elements won’t work, so it’s hoping to find a middle ground that can be satisfactory enough.

Some will view this as a non-stance, and the Chiefs will likely be criticized on both sides — for not doing enough to stop appropriation culture from one, and for too much capitulating to activists on the other.

The truth is that the Chiefs have made real efforts toward education and provide a platform that’s only growing to do more.

The truth is also that the team would prefer the debate simply go away.

“This is a process,” Donovan said. “This is years. We’re going to do this, and hopefully it’s well received and we’ll continue to do more.”

[West 6,713]

It's too funny...

Somehow, I think fans will do what fans will do.

God Bless America and the Panties She wears.

w

[reesebobby 5,662]

 

[oldtimer 8,686]

ok the Drum still gets Blessed..so much for the outrage. I really dont give  rats rectum..fans gonna do what fans gonna do and its ingrained into the Chiefs Kingdom now.. they can say or do what hey want it aint gonna change nothing.

[reesebobby 5,662]

[Troyofoc 361]

There will always be people who will bitch about something. During game time us fans just want football. To be entertained and enjoy ourselves rooting and some complaining about are team.

[Balto 723]

I wonder if it would be different if one of these "Native American Named" professional sports teams was bought by a Native American tribe?  Lord knows some of the tribes out there have some Casino money and can flip the bill.

 

[AFCWEST 1,238]

Should Ceasars Palace be allowed? Seems that guy was not so nice?

[AFCWEST 1,238]

1 hour ago, Balto said:

I wonder if it would be different if one of these "Native American Named" professional sports teams was bought by a Native American tribe?  Lord knows some of the tribes out there have some Casino money and can flip the bill.

 

Watch it. Someone may get the idea and some dumb ass politician force a Chiefs team sale? Ha Ha Ha

[Burpo The Mad Clown 5,555]

[reesebobby 5,662]

1 hour ago, Balto said:

I wonder if it would be different if one of these "Native American Named" professional sports teams was bought by a Native American tribe?  Lord knows some of the tribes out there have some Casino money and can flip the bill.

 

They could change the name to the Kansas City White Dudes. 

[DieHard 2,061]

We managed to make it look even sillier. City of fountains, can’t we just spit beer in the air?

[jetlord 10,209]

So an open hand is a tomahawk chop (bad) and a closed fist is beating an Indian drum (good)?  Insanity.  Guess which the majority of fans will do. 

[Balto 723]

8 minutes ago, jetlord said:

So an open hand is a tomahawk chop (bad) and a closed fist is beating an Indian drum (good)?  Insanity.  Guess which the majority of fans will do. 

I'm sitting here trying both ways and it just feels sooooo weird with a closed fist vs open hand.

[jetlord 10,209]

2 minutes ago, Balto said:

I'm sitting here trying both ways and it just feels sooooo weird with a closed fist vs open hand.

Yeah, the closed fist seems like a more aggressive gesture to me, especially without a real tomahawk. 

[azchief21 5,278]

Don't give a rip about any of it. Just wanna see Mahomes flinging the pigskin. The Shark smelling the blood. The blur of Tyreek. Andy being Andy

[kkuenn 3,597]

4 minutes ago, azchief21 said:

Don't give a rip about any of it. Just wanna see Mahomes flinging the pigskin. The Shark smelling the blood. The blur of Tyreek. Andy being Andy

And rent being paid

[Chiefmanzada 466]

Of course drunk chiefs fans will be tolerate 

[Troyofoc 361]

37 minutes ago, azchief21 said:

Don't give a rip about any of it. Just wanna see Mahomes flinging the pigskin. The Shark smelling the blood. The blur of Tyreek. Andy being Andy

Agree but less time management goofs the better.

Just warming up my bitching for the game.😎

[sith13 1,746]

Is there even an outrage from the Native Americans or are the Chiefs just following suit with the weird sensitive mood in pro sports? 

[oldtimer 8,686]

2 minutes ago, sith13 said:

Is there even an outrage from the Native Americans or are the Chiefs just following suit with the weird sensitive mood in pro sports? 

well since there will be a medicine  man or men blessing the drum on the field....  your guess is as good as mine

[sith13 1,746]

9 minutes ago, oldtimer said:

well since there will be a medicine  man or men blessing the drum on the field....  your guess is as good as mine

This is going to be one weird season 🙄

[SEMO 6,811]

2 hours ago, Balto said:

I'm sitting here trying both ways and it just feels sooooo weird with a closed fist vs open hand.

Try some lube.

[kkuenn 3,597]

34 minutes ago, SEMO said:

Try some lube.

Makes sense since i have to chop from the top of my head all the way down to my waist. Some men are bigger than others.

[mex 65,581]

9 hours ago, reesebobby said:

I remember that commercial

then I actually visited some reservations... it was apparent litter is not much of a concern