KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite an early morning for many, the atmosphere was warm and buzzing with excitement at the Kansas City International Airport Thursday morning.
Chiefs fans from around Kansas City arrived decked out in their best Chiefs Kingdom gear to board flights to Tampa, Florida, to watch the Chiefs take on the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
Among the excited fans was the 41 Action News team, boarding their own flight to potentially see the Chiefs repeat as champions.
Members of the team met with fans and chronicled the excitement underway as flights got underway.
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas was on the same flight as the team and adapted his mayoral responsibilities to cover pumping up the passengers.
Who’s pumping up #ChiefsKingdom on our flight to Tampa? None other than @QuintonLucasKC! @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/6ID2qSxV2A
— Taylor Hemness (@taylorhemness) February 4, 2021
Fans also took it upon themselves to start their own cheers for the Chiefs.
Chiefs fanfare in full effect!#chiefskingdom#Runitback#SBLV pic.twitter.com/WR2Ui8AR6M
— Charlie Keegan (@CharlieKeegan41) February 4, 2021
Some of the people boarding planes to Tamp were no strangers to Super Bowl fanfare.
One fan displayed past Super Bowl rings and said he hoped for another to add to his collection.
I ran into a fan who with the @Chiefs organization who has two #SuperBowl rings and hoping to add a third. https://t.co/1SnG9ZFPrk pic.twitter.com/6do8wSIkEP
— Bryant Maddrick (@BryantOnTV) February 4, 2021
Even the flight crew was in on the action, displaying a Patrick Mahomes jersey on the jetway and playing the song "Run it Back" over the plane intercom.
Headed to Tampa for #Sblv and @SouthwestAir has this @PatrickMahomes jersey hanging in the jetway and @blanehoward’s “run it back” is playing in the speakers. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/81WMOMnWsr
— Charlie Keegan (@CharlieKeegan41) February 4, 2021
And, there was no shortage of red and gold when the team landed in Tampa.
A taste of what it’s like arriving at the Tampa airport. pic.twitter.com/VCefrhxC0q
— Mick Shaffer (@mickshaffer) February 4, 2021
For more fan action while in Tampa, be sure to follow along with 41 Action News and Mick Shaffer, Dia Wall, Taylor Hemness and Charlie Keegan who will be with a phenomenal team of photographers capturing all of the action and sharing Super Bowl stories.
Squad activated‼️
Your @41actionnews Tampa crew is accounted for & ready to bring you the best @Chiefs action from the #RunItBack tour ❤️💛🏈💛❤️
Tell me #ChiefsKingdom what do you want to see❓ pic.twitter.com/BCzXTv708x
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) February 4, 2021
Here’s the team‼️
You headed to Tampa? Having fun? See something we should share?
Get @ us! 👇🏽@taylorhemness
Me 💁🏽♀️@mickshaffer@CharlieKeegan41We’re here for YOU‼️ #ChiefsKingdom #RunItBack pic.twitter.com/W5qPdCVkeP
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) February 4, 2021