Do you remember when the Kansas City Chiefs burst onto the scene with a young quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, who enamored everyone?
Do you remember when everyone was excited that the Patriots dynasty was over and a new team had emerged as the best?
Do you remember when everyone was cheering for Andy Reid to win his first Super Bowl?
Well, now the Chiefs are setting out to win their third straight Super Bowl and are heading to the big game for the fifth time in six years. They have added bandwagon fans along the way, but at this point, it appears they have also become the "villain," as non-die-hard Chiefs fans have had enough of their success.
NFL fans have developed "sports hate" toward the Chiefs and would rather see them lose. They are tired of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes and how the Chiefs always find ways to win.
They don't like how the Chiefs have so much joy, peace, and excitement on their way to another Super Bowl. They also believe the Chiefs get too much favor from the refs.
Ultimately, fans have historically developed a "sports hate" for dynasties. The Chiefs are the latest team fans are jealous of, as they have had three Super Bowl victories since 2020.
They envy their continued dominance and ability to show that they know what it takes to win over and over again. The Chiefs figured out the answer to sustained success, but those on the outside don't like it.
Although the Chiefs have plenty of supporters, the players recognize their role as a "villain" and the sports hate that others have toward them. However, Travis Kelce and his teammates embrace it.
As he said on his podcast, "When people are saying whatever they want, you just band together, and it makes you appreciate more of what you have because people want what you have."
Mike Jones of TheAthletic.com wrote an article titled, "Hate 'Em if You Want, But Chiefs Make No Apologies While Continuing Pursuit of History."
In it, he wrote, "They're also not bristling at all the hate. Instead, Mahomes and his teammates find it amusing. They embrace the role of the villain and continue their pursuit of history, which — sorry to break it to you — given the fact that Mahomes hasn't even turned 30, could extend much longer."
To some, it doesn't make sense to hate the Chiefs' greatness and winning ways but to appreciate how they play. However, not everyone likes who the Chiefs are or what they represent. Yet, we shouldn't be surprised because many winning teams have experienced the same thing before them.
The truth is, there is a similar sentiment from many people on the outside who don't love God and choose not to surrender their lives to Jesus as they often hate Him and His followers. They don't like who we are and what we represent.
Jesus tells us in John 15:18-19 (ESV), "‘If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.’"
1 John 3:13 (AMP) says, "Do not be surprised, believers, if the world hates you."
Hopefully, this doesn't discourage us but reminds us to continue doing the right things as we follow Jesus, endure whatever persecution comes our way, and experience His blessings.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV), "'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'"
The Chiefs will continue to pursue Super Bowls and seek to remain victorious despite the hate some harbor toward them. Likewise, we must continue to pursue Jesus and our victorious life in Him regardless of what others say about us.
Let's declare what Paul did in Galatians 1:10 (NLT), "Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant."
Today, let's challenge ourselves to lean on Jesus to help us overcome the difficulties of being hated and persecuted.
Also, just like Kelce said about Chiefs haters, "People want what you have," so let's lovingly and humbly remember that this is true for us as followers of Jesus.
"The haters" are people looking for and desiring the answer to experiencing victory and "sustained success." They are jealous and want the lasting joy, hope, peace, and favor of God that we have, so we must let them know it's also available for them through Jesus.
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm so thankful for the joy, peace, and victory I have in Christ. Please help me to continue to endure any hatred or persecution that comes my way and point people to the hope and answer they are looking for. Teach me to show them love, grace, and humility. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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