KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fans in Chiefs Kingdom got everything they wanted — a Chiefs win and a Patriots loss. But it's not often that fans also root for another team to win.
"Thank you, Miami," said Mayor Quinton Lucas after the game.
Lucas and thousands of other fans thought it was only right to say a big, 'Thank you,' to the Miami Dolphins after they beat the Patriots, giving the Chiefs the No. 2 two seed in the AFC, a bye week in the playoffs and the home field advantage.
So Kansas City will show gratitude the only way it knows how.
"It’s funny because a lot of people tweeted at me after I said I will send something to Mayor Suarez, they said make sure you do something nice for Ryan Fitzpatrick as well," Lucas said.
The mayor plans to send lots of barbecue straight to Miami's Mayor Francis Suarez and the Miami Dolphins.
"I’ve already talked to a few different barbecue establishments in Kansas City that are interested in sending Mayor Suarez some stuff," Lucas said. "He may get a sampler of different Kansas City barbecues as it turns out. We won't make him pick just one."
Mayor Suarez played along and sent 41 Action News a video.
"We just want to say you are very, very welcome," Suarez said. "Can't wait to see what Mayor Lucas and the entire city sends our way as a form of gratitude. And I can't wait to meet each and every one of you in the beautiful, sunny city of Miami for the next Super Bowl this February. Hope to see you soon."
So, who's he choosing to represent KC?
"Well, you know, that's a funny question," Lucas said, "and that's the hardest question in Kansas City politics, really."
He's sending a variety, including Jack Stack Barbecue, who already threw their name in the hat on Twitter.
"There's something special about Kansas City and when our teams are winning, the victory food is barbecue," said Jon Browning, manager at Jack Stack's Freight House location.
Browning said they want to be a part of the fun because barbecue is synonymous with Kansas City. Plus, it brings back memories of the World Series when Kansas City's mayor and the Royals competing city's mayors would challenge each other to fun bets. If Kansas City ever lost, we'd send barbecue.
The Chiefs going to Miami for the Super Bowl would certainly be the best outcome, but for now Lucas is hoping a little barbecue might give us some good luck.
"I feel good. I mean, I will never jinx anything, but I think sometimes you make your own luck and this team has certainly done it for a while," Lucas said.
Sunday's game day outcome means the Chiefs have a bye and will return to Arrowhead in two weeks.
