Watching football has become a "Sunday Funday" standing tradition for the Justin and Alana Alt family! This past Sunday was especially exciting since their team, the Kansas City Chiefs, played in the big game for the second year in a row. But his dedication to this team began long before they were Champions, or Patrick Mahomes was behind the ball.
Justin’s love for the Kansas City Chiefs football team stems back to when he was just a young boy, spending time with his uncle, Greg Thompson. He looked up to his uncle. One of the things they enjoyed doing together was watching Sunday afternoon football. Greg was a Chiefs fan…and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now that he’s all grown up, Justin has converted his wife, Alana, and his children into fans as well…but Alana admits she wasn’t always a Chief’s fan.
“I've never really had a ‘team.’ I always cheered for whichever team I liked the jerseys or colors of,” Alana said with a chuckle. “(Justin) converted me (to being a Chief’s fan), but I also still cheer for the team most of my family loves – the Steelers.”
Their daughter, Jayda, is a big KC fan too, despite the fact that she's not even in kindergarten yet.
“When Mahomes got hurt in the playoff game, Jayda said, ‘This game is making our feelings hurt,’ explained her mom. “It was so cute how much she could ‘feel’ what was happening in the game.”
On Super Bowl Sunday, the Alt family gathered in their garage with family and a few friends, which is where they watch all of the football games during the season – and not just the Chiefs. The Alts watch all of the football games because Justin has also participated in a Fantasy Football league for the past two years. While all the guests in attendance last Sunday were cheering for the Chiefs, there were a couple of friends and family watching the game at their own houses who had a friendly little competition cheering against them, hoping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would win.
“My brother Josh cheered for (the Bucs) because he always cheers against us,” Alana said light-heartedly. “In addition, Justin's co-worker and Jevan's wrestling coach, Aaron Schafer, was cheering for them.”
What made it extra fun was the Alt family got all decked out in their KC gear. In fact, Jevan even got his hair permed and cut so he could be just like Mahomes for the Super Bowl game. All the kids got new shirts to represent the fearsome threesome (Hill, Kelce, and Mahomes), but Justin and Alana kept to tradition.
“I wear the same shirt every game,” said Alana. “Justin – he never wears Chiefs shirts during the game because when he has, they have lost. He's a little superstitious.”
Not only do they cheer for the team as a whole, but the Alt’s each have their favorite players as well.
Jevan’s favorite is Tyreek Hill.
“He loves how fast he is! He wants to be just like him,” explained Alana. “He knows every player on the team and their number. He watches replays on YouTube and enjoys watching the other videos about the players.
Alana’s favorite players are:
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Patrick Mahomes – “He’s amazing – his athleticism, "realness", and support for his team stand out as qualities we like. He's unbelievable.”
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Darrel Williams – “Strong running back – fun to watch.”
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Travis Kelce – “A talented tight end.”
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Some of Justin’s favorites have already lived their glory days with the Chiefs. They include:
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Derrick Thomas – linebacker and defensive end
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Joe Montana – quarterback
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Tony Gonzalez – tight end
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For the Alts, there are many fun reasons they watch football, and are such big fans of the Chiefs. But they said by far their favorite part of it all is simply watching the excitement of the kids.
“But Justin also gets pretty worked up during the games and it's fun to watch him,” said Alana.
Being able to enjoy all of these aspects of the game last Sunday will undoubtedly give them memories that will last a lifetime. The fact that they got to watch their Chiefs play in back-to-back Super Bowls made it even better.
“It's super fun. They are an amazing team led by an amazing coach. It's especially great this year after not knowing what would happen with the NFL and COVID. And it's always fun to have someone else in the Super Bowl besides the Patriots,” said Alana.
In addition to two Super Bowls in two years, the Alts are also grateful to have had another super memory of their favorite football team. In 2017, they got to see them play in person against the Steelers (who remember, is another of Alana’s favorite teams).
“We had a blast and the environment and thrill of being at the game was great. It definitely is as loud as they say it is,” Alana said.
The Alts enjoy sharing the excitement of the game and the pride of the Chiefs with their kids and it appears as though they are following in their parents’ footsteps, especially Jevan. He has almost all of the trading cards for the Chiefs players, KC football gloves, a KC football, KC stocking hat, and lanyard.
“He's a little obsessed with everything about it! He even created a large football out of 100 tiny paper footballs for his 100th day of school project! Jevan has been DYING to have an NFL football party since last year (COVID hit and he couldn't have a 6th bday party) He wrote invitations to Tyreek, Travis, Mahomes, and Andy Reid asking them if they could come to his birthday party!!!! It was so cute. We sent them the cards virtually and unfortunately got no response,” Alana said.
However, his mom found another way to spread Chief joy to Jevan AND his dad.
“I got two Beckett witnessed-signed jerseys, oneof Mahomes, and one of Tyreek Hill. I gifted them to Justin and Jevan after the Chiefs won the playoff game and were headed to the Super Bowl,” said Alt.
And if you’re talking about the Kansas City Chiefs, you can’t forget about one of their other most famous team members – KC Wolf. Justin and Alana got to meet him when they were just kids attending Eagle Grove Elementary. KC Wolf came and did a little presentation for the school.
“It was pretty neat,” said Alana.
