TAMPA, Fla. — Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas was on board a commercial flight full of Chiefs fans heading to Tampa on Thursday morning.
The mayor is visiting the Sunshine State to watch the Chiefs compete against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV on Sunday evening.
A crew from 41 Action News was on board the flight with Lucas. Toward the end of the direct flight, Lucas walked down the aisle passing out Charlie Hustle-branded lapel pins to fans. Then he took over the intercom to lead the plane in a chant of “let’s go Chiefs,” much like coach Andy Reid.
In Tampa, Lucas answered questions from 41 Action News anchor Dia Wall, prepared a gift basket for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and participated in a press conference in the airport, where he announced a wager with Castor. Each mayor pledged to give the other specialty items from their respective cities should their team lose.
Lucas maintained confidence the Chiefs will win the game.
“We’ll have Patrick Mahomes and the NFL’s best offense here in just a little while,” he told the crowd of reporters.
One of the “ambassadors” that a Tampa tourism agency coordinated to greet Lucas and others agreed with KC’s mayor. Tess Lee is a Chiefs fan who moved to Tampa about one year ago. She predicts a Chiefs victory.
“I just enjoy watching the team,” Lee said. “They’re really exciting; there’s never a dull moment with them.”
Lucas plans to spend the next few days soaking up the Super Bowl experience and exploring what Tampa has to offer. It is his first trip to the city.