1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Thank you, Danage. On the day when you get opportunity 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 1: to day they can play. Hell, I'll do what touchdown 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: Kansas City. The Chiefs all right in the thick of it, baby. 4 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: Hello once again everyone, and welcome to this edition, a 5 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 1: special edition, if you will, of Defending the Kingdom. Mitch 6 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: hold us with your voice and the Chiefs along the 7 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: senior team Reporter Matt McMullan aka the Mad stat Yes, 8 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 1: we have just completed mandatory mini camp and now the 9 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 1: closest thing the NFL has to a plant shutdown happens 10 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: over the next couple of weeks and then before we 11 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: know it'll be Saint Joe Missouri and the Chiefs will 12 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,480 Speaker 1: be on the field for training camp of twenty twenty two. 13 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: We want a special episode of Defending the Kingdom. For 14 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: this show, we will focus on the Juneteenth Holiday, a 15 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: national holiday now, and talk about how the Chiefs and 16 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: the Chief's Kingdom relates to the Juneteenth Holiday. But before 17 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: we do that, Matt, it's our tradition now that we 18 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: go around the world, so thirteen names in places as 19 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: always now, of course, in honor of thirteen seconds. I 20 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: can't forget that. So we have Raymond in Leadville, Colorado. 21 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:14,680 Speaker 1: Bob in Sydney, Australia. He'll be here this upcoming season 22 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:16,959 Speaker 1: for the Titans game. It's making the truck from Sydney. 23 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: So looking forward to seeing you. Bob. We've got Lyle 24 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: at table Rock Lake, Missouri. Have you ever been there? 25 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 1: I have incredible Yeah, let's say pilgrimage in the summertime 26 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: for many folks and fans of the Chiefs King. Never 27 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 1: been there before, but I want to go. I wish 28 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: the beautiful Folco's just opened up an invitation. If you 29 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 1: want matched at LA to go to table Rock Lake, 30 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:39,680 Speaker 1: send us your invitation. You'll have one hundred by the 31 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: end of the episode. My in laws always talk about it. 32 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: They want to go there too. It's beautiful. Yeah, gotta 33 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: go see Lyle at table Rock Lake. Mark and Glasgow, 34 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: Montana is listening. He declared Glasgow, Montana as Chiefs Kingdom North. 35 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: This is a cool one. We have Piom in Tehran 36 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: in the Middle East. Yeah, listening to DTK, Dust and Taylor, Texas, 37 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: Gary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dennis in New Hampshire, 38 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: Derek and Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. Troy in Shingle, House, Pennsylvania. 39 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: I think we hear from Troy every single week, thanks 40 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 1: for listening. Troy Daniel declared Hollister, California as Central Coast 41 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,679 Speaker 1: Chiefs Kingdom, Tyler in Atlanta as listening to d t K. 42 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 1: And lastly we've got Nicki. They declared Hannibal, Missouri as 43 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: Kingdom on the River. Mark Twain was a huge Chiefs fan. 44 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 1: There you go. He existed before the Dallas Texans and 45 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: Chiefs existed. But we just go ahead and claim Samuel 46 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:35,359 Speaker 1: Cleman's ak Mark Twain Hannibal Missouri as a Chiefs fan. 47 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: You want to go to Lake of the I'm sorry, 48 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,519 Speaker 1: you want to go to Table Rock Lake, which is phenomenal. 49 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 1: I think I want to go to Shingle House, Pennsylvania. Yeah, 50 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 1: and see Troy. Yeah, just hang out. I just want 51 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: to see Shingle House, Pennsylvania. I'm just so I'm just 52 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 1: so intrigued. Yeah, by Shingle House. We have so many 53 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: Pennsylvania people on the chief staff, like Brett veach Coat, 54 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 1: Treed Well and you just in the sixty five TPT staff. Yeah, 55 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 1: Joe Baker going on people Danes in there. He's pretty 56 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: close to Shingle House. I think, in fact, that's my 57 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 1: new nickname for him, all right, A shingle House, of course, 58 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:11,239 Speaker 1: or the franchise lead producer the franchise. He's fantastic there. 59 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 1: But this episode, whether you're from Single House, Pennsylvania, or 60 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: Table Rock Lake, California, Rhode Island, or Washington, we mentioned 61 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 1: at the outset of the podcast to talk about Juneteenth, 62 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 1: and that is the national holiday observed this year on 63 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 1: the twentieth of June. Because the Juneteenth Day, June nineteenth, 64 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: is on a Sunday, but it is now a national holiday. 65 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: Dates back to eighteen sixty five in Galveston, Texas. It's 66 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: also been called Freedom Day Jubilee Day. Union Army General 67 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: Gordon Granger had Order number three, which made it a celebration, 68 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 1: if you will, announced national holiday, but it celebrates, of 69 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: course the freedom of African Americans, Black Americans. At that time, 70 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: we thought we would tie in the Chief's Kingdom to 71 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: Juneteenth in the holiday. Yeah. So last year I had 72 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: the great pleasure of sitting down with Bobby Bell and 73 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 1: kind of just learning about what his experience was like 74 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 1: when he was a young player in the AFL and 75 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 1: later the NFL. And Bobby wrote an incredible article for 76 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,480 Speaker 1: our website that you can find on Chiefs dot com 77 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: detailing how difficult things were for him, and I think 78 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,719 Speaker 1: through his words you can kind of learn not only 79 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 1: how difficult things were for African American athletes back then, 80 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 1: but also how the Chiefs and the AFL played such 81 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 1: a role in kind of changing that a bit. And 82 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 1: it's really interesting stuff. Bobby was, interestfully to interrupt you. 83 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 1: It's one of my favorite stories about Chief's kingdom history. Yeah, 84 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 1: and it's it's not been told enough from a standpoint 85 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 1: of the National Football League or US sports history. In 86 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 1: my opinion, absolutely, people just really don't know about it. 87 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:01,280 Speaker 1: And that's why I thought it was so great that 88 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: Bobby took the time to really kind of put this 89 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: all together. Bobby finished third in Heisman Trophy voting his 90 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: final year at Minnesota. He was an All American, but 91 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 1: yet he talked about how he didn't think he'd play 92 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:18,279 Speaker 1: in the NFL because the NFL just wasn't recruiting black 93 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 1: players and when black players were in the NFL, they 94 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: weren't given a real opportunity to really thrive and lead well. 95 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: The Vikings drafted him in the second round, but they 96 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,919 Speaker 1: wouldn't guarantee his contract. He's like, Wow, would I go 97 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 1: play for you if you're not going to guarantee my contract. 98 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: I was third in Heisman Trophy voting. Are you kidding me? 99 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 1: And one of the best players in the nation. Well, 100 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:39,720 Speaker 1: the cool thing about the story is Lamar Hunt, who 101 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: was still kind of getting the AFL off the ground. 102 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: He traveled to Minnesota to go talk to Bobby and 103 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: he said that he would guarantee his contract, like no problem, 104 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: And Bobby came to the Chiefs and the rest is history. 105 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 1: But think about that nineteen sixty nine team, that Super 106 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: Bowl team for the Chiefs, all the different players that 107 00:05:56,600 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: were from HBCUs. So Bobby wasn't but the and he 108 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: thought that Chiefs were so great during this time as 109 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 1: they were giving black players an opportunity and at the 110 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: time NFL teams were not recruiting from HBCUs at all. 111 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 1: So listen to all these players. Willy Lanier at Pro 112 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 1: Football Hall of Famer from Morgan State, Otis Taylor from 113 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: Prairie View, A and m ODIs Taylor should be in 114 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame. Buck Buchanan, Grambling State, Robert Holmes 115 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 1: Southern University, Frank Pitt's Southern University, Jim Kearney, Praye View 116 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: A and m Emme at Tanas Pro Football Hall of Famer, 117 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: Bishop College, Glocester Richardson, Jackson State, Nolan Smith Tennessee State, 118 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,040 Speaker 1: Goldie Sellers, Grambling State, and Willie Mitchell Tennessee State. I'm 119 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: sure there's several more. It's just so interesting to see 120 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: how the Chiefs were recruiting from these HBCUs giving black 121 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: athletes an opportunity and not just an opportunity to play, 122 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: but to lead. Because Willy Lanier is a great example 123 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 1: of this. He was the middle linebacker for one of 124 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 1: the greatest defenses of all time. And this really laid 125 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: the framework in the example for NFL teams in the 126 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 1: years to follow that black athletes deserved to be in 127 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: the NFL, and the Chiefs really were where that started, 128 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 1: and it's a thing that this franchise should be proud of. 129 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,840 Speaker 1: There was a quota. There was some outstanding black athletes 130 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 1: in the Mlyn Tunnel of the Giants, Marion Motley of 131 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Browns, but it was almost like there was 132 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: a feeling of an unofficial quota. The Chiefs broke through 133 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: that barrier and then it opened the door. When you 134 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 1: talk about Willy Lanier, he has become an outstanding civic 135 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: leader in Richmond, Virginia down through the years. So he 136 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: took his Pro Football Hall of Fame career from Morgan 137 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: State and became a civic leader. We know what Bobby 138 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: Bell has done in this community. Gives me chills to 139 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 1: talk about it. And don't you think the Vikings when 140 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: Joe Capp was harassed in that Super Bowl victory by 141 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: the Chiefs and Super Bowl four and Bobby Bell's all 142 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: over the field along with Willy Lanier and you just 143 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 1: mentioned so many players that were HBCUs on that Super 144 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:51,679 Speaker 1: Bowl championship team, don't you think the Vikings were going Wow, 145 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: I think we screwed up here. We should have guaranteed 146 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 1: Bobby Bell's contract, But the Chiefs really Lamar Hunt in 147 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: so many ways opened the door for opportunities for African 148 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: American athletes, specifically HBCU athletes. Yeah, it's just a really 149 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: cool thing that this franchise was a part of. And 150 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: when you look back at the history of it, we 151 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: think about how the Chiefs beating the Vikings in that 152 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: game was great for the AFLs legitimacy like it made 153 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: the AFL everyone knew, Okay, this league is for real. 154 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: But also I think for showing that this is the 155 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: way you should be doing things. We should be inclusive 156 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: and including all athletes in our league. And the NFL 157 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: followed suit from the AFL, and I'd recommend again just 158 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: reading the piece that Bobby wrote one dot com last year. 159 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: You can easily find it. It just really says a 160 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 1: lot about all the things that he had to go 161 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: through back then, but how this franchise and how Lamar 162 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 1: helped change things for the better. I'm also going to 163 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,680 Speaker 1: give you some ideas here when you come to gha 164 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: field at Arrowhead Stadium, or you visit training camp in 165 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 1: Saint Joseph, or whenever you make the pilgrimage here to 166 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 1: the center of the Chief's Kingdom, if you will, for 167 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: our round the world listeners and viewers and those who 168 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 1: make the trips like our friend and from Sydney, Australia, 169 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: there's some suggestions I want to give you as it 170 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: pertains here to the Juneteenth celebration, and I'm gonna give 171 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: three of them. I'll space these out, but one is 172 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: the Buffalo Soldiers monument. It's at Fort Leavenworth on Post 173 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: forty five to fifty minutes from where we're setting here 174 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 1: at Arrowhead Stadium at the practice facility. It was dedicated 175 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: in nineteen ninety two, but it was for the ninth 176 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,360 Speaker 1: and tenth Cavalry Regiments, which were an all black cavalry 177 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 1: regiment that was mustered in and organized in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 178 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: September the twenty first, eighteen sixty six. They were involved 179 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 1: all the way up to World War two, the Philippine 180 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,679 Speaker 1: Insurrection involved also at the War with Spain. I mean, 181 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 1: if you look at the history of the ninth and 182 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: tenth Calvary, there's still re enactors that live here in 183 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 1: the Chiefs Kingdom that's part of the Buffalo Soldiers Monument. 184 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: It is a must when you come here to visit 185 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:01,199 Speaker 1: the Chiefs Kingdom. I got two, but we'll spread these 186 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:05,559 Speaker 1: out in this episode. Another one, and it's very interesting, 187 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,080 Speaker 1: is the Negro Leagues Museum at the eighteenth and Vine 188 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 1: part of Kansas City, which also includes the Jazz Museum. 189 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: The Blue Room one of my favorite places to go 190 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: for jazz, particularly when it's like the night when they 191 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: show up and they're just doing the jam sessions. But 192 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: even our own Chiefs players have been able to discover 193 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: something is cool as the Negro Leagues Museum. Yeah, two 194 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: of our newest players, so Justin Reid and Trent McDuffie, 195 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: earlier this month had an opportunity to go to the 196 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 1: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum alongside about a dozen high school 197 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 1: football players from Lincoln College Prep, which is so close 198 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:43,480 Speaker 1: to the old side of Municipal Stadium where the Chiefs 199 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 1: first played, of course, and Bobby Bell played his first 200 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 1: games for the Chiefs. A really, really cool visit because 201 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 1: Bob Kendrick is the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum, 202 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 1: and the guy's like a walking encyclopedia. I mean, he's 203 00:10:55,600 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: absolutely incredible, and he explained to these guys just how 204 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 1: the Negro Leagues in so many ways were the precursor 205 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: for positive change in America all over the place. So 206 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 1: if you think about it, major League Baseball reintegrated. So 207 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in nineteen forty seven. 208 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: In nineteen forty eight, that's when the military integrated. In 209 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: nineteen fifty four, that's when public schools integrated and the 210 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 1: Civil Rights Act was passed in nineteen sixty four, Baseball 211 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 1: was ahead of all this stuff. Football actually was as well, 212 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 1: because in nineteen forty six football reintegrated the NFL did 213 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: so sports always find out way to lead the way 214 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 1: I feel like in society, society follows sports lead. But 215 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 1: this was really the case with the Negro Leagues. And 216 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 1: Bob Kendrick talks about how if you're any minority athlete, 217 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: your history begins with the Negro Leagues, and it's such 218 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:48,439 Speaker 1: a cool thing. So he gave a tour to Trent 219 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: mcduffee and Justin Reid, and afterward I had a chance 220 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 1: to catch up with Trent about the visit and what 221 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: Juneteenth means to him. All Right, I'm joined here by 222 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: Trent mcduffee on the hollow ground of the Negro League's 223 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: Baseball Museum, or on the hymend right here, Trent, and 224 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 1: he said, a chance to walk through this amazing place. 225 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: Your brand new to Kansas City, and this is one 226 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: of the things you really have to see when you 227 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: move here. What do you think of the museum here today? Honestly, 228 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: this is probably one of like the dopest places I've 229 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 1: ever seen, And that's saying a lot, because I've seen 230 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 1: a lot of cool stuff, but be able to like 231 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 1: sit here with life size statues and learn the names 232 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: of all these Hall of famers that honestly you won't 233 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 1: hear because they're just not in the books, and so 234 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 1: coming here and learn about their history and what they've 235 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 1: done for us way back in the past that's kind 236 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 1: of been overlooked is special to see and to learn 237 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,679 Speaker 1: about and definitely something that I can now go teach 238 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: others because I feel like this experience was super cool 239 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 1: to me and something very valuable. So Bob Kendrick is 240 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 1: the president of this great place, and it does an 241 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: amazing job giving tours. The guy's like living history. And 242 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 1: one thing that he said that kind of stuck with 243 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 1: me is that we remember the people that crossed the bridge, 244 00:12:57,520 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 1: but not those that build it. And the athletes in 245 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 1: the need leagues really built the bridge for in so 246 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 1: many ways, for not just baseball but professional sports. For you, 247 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 1: was there anything when you were walking through here that 248 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: you learned that you didn't know before that kind of 249 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:11,440 Speaker 1: stuck with you? Yeah, I mean, shoot, the list probably 250 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: goes on forever, but on this wall, actually I remember 251 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,319 Speaker 1: he was talking about how the fans at the New 252 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: League Baseball games they weren't segregated, And for me, that 253 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: was shocking because I've always just known segregation, segregation, like 254 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:29,080 Speaker 1: there was no in between. So when you told me 255 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: about how this league was able to create an atmosphere 256 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: like that just goes to show how special it was 257 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 1: and goes to show the impact I had on our 258 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: society way back then before we even knew it. Yeah, 259 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:41,560 Speaker 1: it's cool. Our sports are kind of that bridge in 260 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:44,640 Speaker 1: a lot of ways. So we're celebrating Juneteenth this month, 261 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: and our visit here is part of celebrating Juneteenth. When 262 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: you think about Juneteenth, what's its importance to you? What 263 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: do you think about? Yeah, I mean definitely as a 264 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: little kid, you know, you don't really know much. You know, 265 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: it's a holiday, you know, it's just celebrating, But there 266 00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 1: was just not much I can go see where I lived, 267 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: and it was just hard to truly feel like you 268 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: were a part of Juneteen. But growing up and coming 269 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: here and just talk with my family and friends and 270 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 1: kind of just maturing, you definitely get to realize that 271 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: I'm in a position where I can now honor those 272 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: who have come before me. I can see what they've 273 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 1: done for me and realize that they've helped me get 274 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: to the position I am now before I was even 275 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 1: a thought. So being able to just see these guys 276 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: and just hear their stories is truly impactful to me. 277 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 1: You're what two and twenty one young gun, but you're 278 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: the old guy for the high schoolers that were here 279 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: that came along. And there's two or some high schoolers 280 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 1: fro Lincoln College Prep, the high school fotball team. You're 281 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 1: the guy they look up to, and you can be 282 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: that guy that's kind of teaching them why this stuff 283 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: is important. What does that mean to you? Yeah, honestly, 284 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:48,840 Speaker 1: it's super dope whenever you get to go back in 285 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 1: the community and talk to the younger generation because like 286 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 1: for me, I was in their position three years ago 287 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 1: and it was just a trip to just see them 288 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,200 Speaker 1: and talk to them and hear their stories and be like, man, 289 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: I get you, like I was literally there, Like it's 290 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: still fresh in my mind. So being able to be 291 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 1: that person who can kind of just teach them and 292 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 1: just take things from my life that I can just 293 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: leave with them and if they want to use it 294 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: or not, It is important because I feel like growing up, 295 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 1: I was that kid who was like, oh, I want 296 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: to hear what this athlete has to say, what my 297 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: older brothers have to say. So just giving back now 298 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: is special for me. Well, it's all part of kind 299 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: of learning about your new adopted home here in Kansas City. 300 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: It feels like you've been here forever already. It's only 301 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 1: been a couple of months, but this is a chance 302 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:31,920 Speaker 1: to really learn about this city a little bit beyond 303 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: just the chiefs. What did that mean to you? Kind 304 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: of learning about your new home. Yeah. I always like 305 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 1: going into somewhere new and kind of just getting into 306 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: the nitty grittiness of it, truly feeling like I'm a 307 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 1: part of the community because this community is going to 308 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: welcome me into something new and so be able to 309 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 1: come here and kind of just meet new people and 310 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: understand the new city that I'm in. I love Kansas 311 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,520 Speaker 1: City already. I've only been here for a little time, 312 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 1: but I feel like I've been your friend of her. 313 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 1: It's awesome for me, and it's something that I can 314 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: just go home now and tell my family, like, hey, 315 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: I just know I learned something new about Kansas City. 316 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: That now when you guys come out, you can learn too. 317 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: So it's pretty specially to be able to come to 318 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 1: these events and experience stuff like this. All right, great 319 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 1: stuff there from Trent, really really cool, and it was 320 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: awesome because they didn't just go to the museum and 321 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 1: explore it and go home after the visit was over. 322 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: These twenty high schoolers or however many it was, or 323 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: just buzzing wanting to talk to these guys, and it 324 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: would be really easy for Trent and Justin to say, hey, 325 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 1: we gotta run, we gotta go. You know, they're right 326 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 1: in the middle of OTA's at this point, but they 327 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: stayed for an extra hour just getting to know every 328 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 1: single one of these kids. And you can tell when 329 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: it's real and when it's not, and with these guys, 330 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 1: it was real. So it was really really cool to 331 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: see not just them experience the museum and all this 332 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: amazing history and learn about their new home in Kansas City, 333 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: but also take the time to really get to know 334 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 1: these kids, because the kids will never forget it, you know, 335 00:16:57,960 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: and it really can make a positive impact on their lives. 336 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: So all around, a really cool afternoon with those guys 337 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: and Justin and Trent are two impressive guys, so very 338 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 1: articulate and factors now in the Kansa City Chiese football 339 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: team and in the Chiefs Kingdom. But you can see 340 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: the depth of their character and understanding of their surroundings 341 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 1: is something that's admirable. That twenty second in Brooklyn Facility 342 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 1: where Bobby Bell played in others, the Memorial Municipal Stadium 343 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 1: was the original home of the Kansa City Monarchs, which 344 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: was the most successful team in the Negro Leagues down 345 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 1: through the years. But there were also early heroes from 346 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 1: the Negro leagues. We know about Buck O'Neill, a Satil 347 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: Page and then went on to pitch in the major 348 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: leagues at like age fifty. Yeah, the Kansas City as 349 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 1: he had a rocking chair out there, but it brought 350 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 1: him into the lineup and it was awesome. Satil Page 351 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 1: was quite the quite the personality, but even cool Papa 352 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:55,679 Speaker 1: Bell and Josh Gibson, it might be the most the 353 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 1: best catcher in the history of baseball came out of 354 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: those Negro leagues, and so that museum is another must 355 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: visit when you're in the Chiefs Kingdom or coming to 356 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 1: gha Field at Arrowheads Stadium or training camp in Saint Joel. 357 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 1: Let me give you another one. You mentioned the integration 358 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 1: of schools. The Chiefs Kingdom was right there in the 359 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: middle of that story. Brown versus Topeka Board of Education. 360 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: The nineteen fifty four Supreme Court decision which really eliminated 361 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:26,439 Speaker 1: separate versus equal, which was the segregated schools, was the 362 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 1: case that started in to Peaka, Kansas. And the Brown 363 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 1: versus to Peaka Board of Education site is a national park. 364 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 1: It's a national site. It's very well done with that 365 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:40,160 Speaker 1: landmark decision that was made. Then. It's at look here, 366 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: fifteen fifteen southeast Monroe, Topeka, Kansas. It is sixty six 367 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 1: minutes from where we are right now. It is a 368 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: must visit, a day visited if you live in the 369 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,880 Speaker 1: Chiefs Kingdom. So many people have never visited the Buffalo 370 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: Soldiers Monument, or the Negro Leagues Museum, or the Brown 371 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,680 Speaker 1: Versus to Peaka Board of Education site. I've got another 372 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 1: one that it was a little further on a day 373 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 1: trip for you, but very intriguing. Nonetheless, But before we 374 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 1: get to that one, I think now there's a lot 375 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 1: of discussion around the National Football League and the twenty 376 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,600 Speaker 1: twenty two Chiefs roster is involved in this as well 377 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: because discussion with the Heritage Bowl, where the HBCU players 378 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 1: have been given some real opportunities here, and the Chiefs 379 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:25,720 Speaker 1: roster this year in the rookie class fits right in 380 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 1: to what the Chiefs did maybe when they were pioneers 381 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: back in the sixties. It's all about continuing that legacy. 382 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:35,040 Speaker 1: I mean, that's a responsibility I think when you're a 383 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 1: franchise like the Chiefs. I think it's cool that Patrick 384 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:39,920 Speaker 1: Mahomes was involved with the Legacy Bowl, really really cool. 385 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,040 Speaker 1: And the fact that the Chiefs gave an HBCU player 386 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,439 Speaker 1: an opportunity in the draft this year and Joshua Williams. 387 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: They drafted him in the fourth round out of Fayetteville State. 388 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,120 Speaker 1: He was the first player drafted from an HBCU since 389 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: twenty twenty and the highest drafted since twenty nineteen. He 390 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 1: was the first player drafted from Fayetteville State in forty 391 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: six years. Really cool and just an outstanding young player. 392 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: We've been watching him in OTAs and in mini camp. 393 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:08,000 Speaker 1: He's a guy that's gonna help us win some games 394 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: this year. But it's so cool that he's representing Fayettville 395 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: State here in the NFL, and a lot of people 396 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:15,840 Speaker 1: are behind him, and hopefully this trend continues of players 397 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: at HBCUs getting opportunities in the NFL because they truly 398 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: deserve it. Brian Cooks another one. So he played at 399 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:25,080 Speaker 1: Cincinnati the last two years. We all know that as 400 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: a safety that Chiefs took him in the second round. 401 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: But before that he transferred from Howard, another HBCU, and 402 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:33,400 Speaker 1: he's a corner at Howard and just a monster there, 403 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:36,119 Speaker 1: and that's how he earned his opportunity at Cincinnati. So 404 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:39,359 Speaker 1: two players with kind of an HBCU legacy currently on 405 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,160 Speaker 1: this team. Two rookies on this team. One other one 406 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: that we don't talk about as much. Ted Cruse is 407 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 1: our executive vice president of Communications. I got to write 408 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,439 Speaker 1: an article on Ted a few months ago. Ted Cruz 409 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: is seen in the PR world as like the Patrick 410 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:55,679 Speaker 1: Mahomes of PR. Like he if you talk to a 411 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:57,639 Speaker 1: PR person and you say you know Ted Cruz, or 412 00:20:57,720 --> 00:21:00,080 Speaker 1: like you know Ted, I mean, he's the best. And 413 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 1: he went to South Carolina State, which is an HBCU. 414 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: And what's so cool about Bat is he likes to 415 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 1: tell young people, if you love sports, you can still 416 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:12,880 Speaker 1: get into sports even if you're not playing. And that's 417 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: kind of what he tries to preach. And Ted's amazing. 418 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 1: So if you're interested in communications or PR, look up 419 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 1: Ted Cruz and what he's doing with the Chiefs because 420 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 1: he also is from an HBCU and is continuing that 421 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: great legacy here on the PR set of things for 422 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 1: the Chiefs. I got another place for you to visit 423 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 1: when you come to Saint jo to training camp or 424 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 1: Gha Field at Earrowhead Stadium, or any other pilgrimage here 425 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: to the Chiefs Kingdom. And it's going to take a 426 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:41,320 Speaker 1: little more of a drive because the Buffalo Soldiers Monument 427 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 1: on Post at Fort Leavenworth easy drive about an hour 428 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:47,199 Speaker 1: less than in about an hour to go to the 429 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 1: Brown Versus Topeka Board of Education site in Topeka. But 430 00:21:51,359 --> 00:21:53,920 Speaker 1: I've got another one that is one of again, much 431 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:57,919 Speaker 1: like the Chiefs opening the doors to HBCU players in 432 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:03,119 Speaker 1: the sixties, a Kansas town called Nicodemus, Kansas as a state, 433 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: opened the doors to black families that were looking to 434 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:10,679 Speaker 1: make a new start in the late eighteen sixties. In 435 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:15,240 Speaker 1: the eighteen seventies, Nicodemus is in Graham County, Kansas. It 436 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:18,720 Speaker 1: is a National Historic Site. It is three hundred and 437 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:21,680 Speaker 1: fifteen miles from where we are right here. It's about 438 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: an hour from my hometown of where I grew up, 439 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: about four hours away from Arrowhead Stadium. But it is 440 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 1: a community that was around the Homestead Act and there 441 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:36,240 Speaker 1: were an opportunity given to African American families to start 442 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:38,359 Speaker 1: a new life. One hundred and sixty acres were given 443 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:40,679 Speaker 1: to them like others in the Homestead Act, if they 444 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 1: could make it happen over a five year period. Well, 445 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:45,879 Speaker 1: here we are in twenty twenty two, and there have 446 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:50,400 Speaker 1: been generations of great families that have come from Nicodemus, Kansas, 447 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:53,640 Speaker 1: which was an all black community in Graham County, Kansas. 448 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:58,440 Speaker 1: Here's where the NFL is involved with the Nicodemus, Kansas community. 449 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 1: And again people just just understand how awesome Nicodemus is 450 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,199 Speaker 1: to visit. There's a group called the Nicodemus Six and 451 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:09,719 Speaker 1: leading the way was Arl Schweitzer. Sadly, he just passed 452 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 1: away on June the fourth. Varl Switzer was from Nicodemus. 453 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,320 Speaker 1: He went to Kansas State. He became an All American 454 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:20,440 Speaker 1: at Kansas State. He was the fourth overall pick by 455 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 1: the Green Bay Packers in the nineteen fifty four draft 456 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:27,959 Speaker 1: and played for Green Bay. Later became a US Air 457 00:23:28,080 --> 00:23:31,639 Speaker 1: Force lieutenant. He was an officer. Then he came after 458 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:33,040 Speaker 1: his time in the Air Force and played in the 459 00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:35,640 Speaker 1: Canadian Football League a New Varrel. He was a good 460 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 1: friend a terrific family. His nephew Marvin also played in 461 00:23:38,760 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 1: the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills the will Heights. 462 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 1: Kevin and Jerald both have roots in Nicodemus, Kansas. Jerald 463 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:49,160 Speaker 1: played for the Denver Broncos. He was a running back. 464 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 1: Kevin played for the Green Bay Packers as a running back. GAYL. 465 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:56,520 Speaker 1: Sayers and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the great 466 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 1: Chicago Bears running back who played at the University of Kansas, 467 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 1: had his high school time at Omaha Central in the 468 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:07,240 Speaker 1: Chiefs Kingdom and Omaha was born in Wichita, but Gael 469 00:24:07,320 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 1: says roots or Nicodemus, Kansas and the Ron Sayers from 470 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 1: the same family played for the Chargers, So out of 471 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 1: a tiny town in rural Kansas, which was an all 472 00:24:20,359 --> 00:24:26,200 Speaker 1: black community, became these great players. But as much or 473 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:29,840 Speaker 1: more than that, great families that still have an impact 474 00:24:29,840 --> 00:24:33,880 Speaker 1: in the Chiefs Kingdom. Many Kansas City businesses have their 475 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 1: roots in Nicodemus, Kansas, in that Graham County area, whether 476 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:41,040 Speaker 1: it's Bogue where they went to school a lot of them, 477 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:43,680 Speaker 1: or a hill city. But it is a terrific place 478 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 1: to visit. People don't even know about it. They don't 479 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:48,360 Speaker 1: even know about the story of the exitdusters they call them. 480 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 1: But what has happened now over time, over generation and 481 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 1: a generation to generation of giving an opportunity, making the 482 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 1: most of it and really making their own history. So 483 00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 1: when you're in the Chiefs Kingdom there are some places 484 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:03,360 Speaker 1: to visit. That's cool. How do you find these things out? Well, 485 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 1: I grew up right, yeah, and that's fair. I knew 486 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 1: I've got in a role was a friend, But I 487 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:11,160 Speaker 1: knew a lot of those families, the Clarks, the Alexander's, 488 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 1: Brogden Motors in a Latha, Kansas is centered that they 489 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:20,000 Speaker 1: trace their roots back to the Nicodemus, Kansas area. But 490 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 1: when you just when you do the deep dive into 491 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:25,399 Speaker 1: history the Chiefs Kingdom, it's fascinating. And with the Juneteenth 492 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,000 Speaker 1: National Holiday, you can do a deep dive here, whether 493 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:32,119 Speaker 1: it's the Negro Leagues's Museum or the Buffalo Soldiers Monument, 494 00:25:32,240 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 1: or Brown Versus to Peak a Board of Education, or Nicodemus, Kansas. 495 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:40,359 Speaker 1: Some of the most profound areas where opportunities were given 496 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 1: and great stories are right here, just within an hour 497 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 1: or so or less of where we're sitting. That's really cool. 498 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: And just just learning, you know, that's the most important 499 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 1: thing with this, And I think the most important thing 500 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:54,760 Speaker 1: as well is there's still a lot of work to 501 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 1: do and still a lot to learn about. But celebrating 502 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: Juneteenth and learning from our players, learning from players that 503 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:06,600 Speaker 1: have come before it is interesting, you know, and it's 504 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:09,360 Speaker 1: it's something that we need to keep doing. But I'm 505 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 1: so glad we've had a chance to talk to guys 506 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 1: like Bobby Bell and then also on the flip side, 507 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: talk to Trent McDuffie, a guy who's twenty one years old, 508 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:20,120 Speaker 1: but who has a chance to inspire so many young 509 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:22,960 Speaker 1: African American athletes. This is a really cool thing to 510 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: see transpire. And that's the beauty of the NFL having 511 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:28,560 Speaker 1: the stage that it does in this country is it 512 00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:33,159 Speaker 1: gives us an opportunity to create real positive change and 513 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: that process never stops, but you need to keep it going. Yep. 514 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 1: The Juneteenth National Holidays about freedom. It's about a celebration, 515 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 1: but it's also about opportunities, having an opportunity or yearning 516 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 1: to get an opportunity, and then making the most of it. 517 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:52,520 Speaker 1: And we have seen that throughout the history of the 518 00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:55,480 Speaker 1: Kansas City Chiefs and really in the area of the 519 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,159 Speaker 1: Chiefs Kingdom. He's Matt McMullen matched at senior team reporter. 520 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:01,119 Speaker 1: I'm a Chulti's waste to the Chiefs. Thank you for 521 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:04,240 Speaker 1: joining us on this a little bit different edition, but 522 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:07,240 Speaker 1: one of our most important editions. I think of defending 523 00:27:07,240 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 1: the kingdom. Touch down, lot down, and the celebration begins 524 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: in their head.