What’s the deal with ‘The Chop?’ These are the debates to know if you’re a new Chiefs fan

The Kansas City Chiefs are good. They’re so good that they’ll be hosting a fourth-straight conference championship game at home, something that’s never happened in their conference, the AFC.

It’s an exciting time to be a Chiefs fan and if you’re scared or afraid of joining in on the fun, don’t be.

We made a quick guide with what newcomers need to know about the team and while it’s great to celebrate the good, new fans also need to know about the controversies surrounding the team.

WHAT ARE THE CONTROVERSIES WITH CHIEFS FANDOM?

Native American-led groups have protested the team’s name itself, and some of the fan traditions that draw on Native American imagery such as the “tomahawk chop” and the corresponding chant and drumming, for more than 15 years. Those who continue to protest say the imagery is harmful because it trivializes and mocks Native culture.

As seen at any game, not all fans agree.

The debate around the Chiefs name, cheer and imagery have been ongoing, but it came back in the spotlight after the Washington Football Team changed its name in 2020, with a new name coming on Feb. 2.

In recent years, the Chiefs have taken steps to work directly with some Native American groups to shift their practices to be less offensive and to celebrate Native communities, but people still have concerns.

We’ll get into more of those concerns in a moment, but first…

WHAT IS “THE CHOP”?

The PA system at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium plays a song as someone, usually a former Chiefs player, bangs the mallet on the drum. The banging is followed by the crowd chanting and fans using their arms in a “chopping” motion. While the Chiefs have instructed fans to use a closed fist, many don’t follow it.

Here’s a video of Chiefs legend Neil Smith participating in the banging of the drum before the game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. You can see fans “chopping” along as the camera pans.

Before “The Chop”, the Chiefs invite members of Native American tribes into the drum deck, which was built in 2019, to bless the drum. Before then, they were on the field before the chosen smasher rallies the crowd.

WHY ARE THEY CALLED THE CHIEFS?

The name comes from former Kansas City mayor Harold R. Bartle, who played a large role in getting a football team to the city. His nickname was “The Chief” due to his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America and his founding of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

“Chief” itself isn’t a racial slur towards Native Americans, but the traditions are tied to the Native American imagery, notably with the combination of the name and logo. The arrowhead replaced the old logo depicting a man wearing a headdress and holding a tomahawk, but the Native American ties are clear to see.

Since 2014, the team has partnered with the American Indian Community Working Group in trying to honor, educate and create awareness for Native American culture within the fandom. They stopped using Warpaint, the team’s real-life horse mascot, and banned fans from wearing headdresses and Native American-style face paint at the stadium.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Different people have different takes.

Some American Indians have no issues with the name, like John Learned. A member of Cheyenne and Arapho tribes, he told The Star in 2020 that he’s been a fan since he heard the name, as he and his mother developed an attachment.

“If it didn’t bother me then, why should it bother me now? If it didn’t bother my elders, why should it bother me?” Learned asked. “What’s racist about it? Seriously. What’s racist about it?”

It’s important to note that one person’s views don’t represent an entire community, as Gaylene Crouser, the executive director of the Kansas City Indian Center, said it’s dehumanizing and perpetuates the stereotypes that people have.

The Kansas City Indian Center isn’t a part of the group working with the Chiefs, and she doesn’t anticipate the team reaching out, given the organization’s stance on the name. The Center has a petition with more than 11,000 signatures requesting the team change its name.

“It’s propaganda for them to say we have this great relationship with Native Americans in the area when they don’t with us, and our organization has been serving the Kansas City metropolitan area for 51 years,” Crouser said. “None of us think that this is an honor in any way.”

There’s no sign the team is going to change the name anytime soon, but she hopes to see it happen, like how the Washington Football Team changed its name and how Cleveland’s baseball team switched their name to the Guardians.

Will it change? Do you want it to change? Tell us why at kcq@kcstar.com.