Sports fans have been an important part of the explosive success both collegiate and professional athletics has enjoyed. In 2013 a recognition award show was created to honor fans and their contribution to the sports industry it's called the What A Fan Awards. Its has been held in Orlando Florida for the last three years and has now been relocated to Los Angeles California beginning July 15th 2016. Over the coming weeks we're going to introduce you to some of the countries most devoted fans of all genres of sports in their own words.
I have been a Chiefs fan for over 25 years! Its started with My love for football but most importantly for the one and only DERRICK THOMAS!! Then the Chiefs kept adding great people like Marcus Allen, Neil Smith, Joe Montana. When I was in the 4th grade I got to meet Mr. Lamar Hunt at a golf tournament in my home town Vail, Colorado and to me that was cooler then meeting the President of the US! Everyone in my family are all huge Broncos Fans, and they just couldn't get why I so dedicated to the Chiefs or the "Enemy". My grandfather became a season ticket holder for the Broncos in the 1993 season and starting in 1994 he would take me to the Chiefs games and that was always mine and my grandfathers thing to do every year! that continued until I was 17 years old. Then I found ways to go on my own until I was able to afford it myself. Now even though I live in Denver, Colorado I am a Season Ticket Holder at Arrowhead!
Why should you be selected winner in your category?
I think that I should be chosen for this award because being such a huge die hard fan born and raised in Colorado and still just as passionate as day one I took being a fan to the next level. I created IncredaChief in 2011. When I would go to games in Denver I would see so many little kids that where just like me when I was young. Big Chiefs fans and being raised by Broncos Fans and living in Broncos Country was not easy! I wanted to be they guy to show them that I was ok to be different! It was ok to like a different team. Then I started getting involved with charity work. Dressing up as IncredaChief visiting kids in the hospitals, participating in many walks (for ALS, Diabetes, Ect.). To even hosting local fundraisers for local kids fighting cancer. Becoming a Superfan has been the best thing I have done in life so far! it gave me the opportunity to do things for my community, giving kids hope and joy in hard times and rep the Chiefs all at the same time! the work we do is not only while football is on But year round! we are always doing work on and off the field!
What triggered your passion for sports?
My passion for Football started when I started to play it in the pee wee leagues. I was able to play in so many positions. Football was always on my mind it was a way for me to step out of reality and just look at the world and life though my face mask. The friendships and brotherhood we got from our teammates was a bond that you could only dream for! Its something you never want to lose or let go of. So we are able to create the same kind of relationships as super fans!
What made you want to become a superfan?
I got involved by watching and seeing so many Super fans while Growing up was very interesting to me! They where always having the most fun, the best tailgates the most popular and I really loved how much more fun they always made game days, or any event that they might be doing at the time. I always thought THATS WHAT I WANNA DO! I wanna be like that! But never thought I could pull it off because I was Chiefs living in Colorado. I went to my First game at Arrowhead and my life was Changed forever! I went more and more! meeting some of the superfans I long time looked up to and came back so motivated to create my IncredaChief idea more then ever! Nothing was gonna stop me now! Not even Colorado! I started going around to different Sports bars on game days meeting so many people and in just 4 years I was able to get to where I am now!
Favorite sports moment?
My favorite Sports moment so far was us taking about 9 Special, kids to the Draft party at Arrowhead where they had such a blast and even got to meet some of the players! We even dedicate the 2 pre season weeks to the kids and take them out to the games! Seeing the joy and the excitement they have is the best feeling in the world!
Who would you like to meet and why?
I have a few in mind but with Derrick Thomas being my guardian angel now my other person I would love to meet is Christian Okoay, Because of everything he did in his career for the community of KC, The youth, and even his home! He has shown me that it doesn't matter where your at now. or where you maybe later. You can still make a positive impact no matter where you are!! you just have to have the passion, the goals and the heart!
What charitable programs are you involved with?
I have yet to find and settle with one main charity but this year my main charity work is being done for a 12 year old boy named Trevor. He has a cancerous tumor in his brain that was not able to be 100% removed surgically because it has intertwined in his brain. Now he has to go through 36 weeks of Chemo that they started on his 12th Birthday, and 7 weeks of radiation 5 days a week. I have a Tailgate party coming up in October for him and was able to team up and get support from other teams and fan basis! its so amazing to see us all come together as one team! I also did a ALS Walk, have the Diabetes walk, first downs for down syndrome and any other event that pops up on the schedule.
How does your family feel about your passion for sports?
My kids love it!! Every time they see daddy get dressed as IncredaChief they know we are about to have some fun!!! However sometime try to keep IncredaChief to them selfs. My Wife on the other hand sometimes feels like it takes alot of our family time away but she supports me 100% she gets amazed by how much of an impact it can make doing what we do as Superfans!
How was your character and costume created?
IncredaChief was created because like I have said before it is not easy being a chiefs fan in Denver! I had to be strong and use better judgment and decisions at times. I just wished sometimes I had a Chiefs superhero or someone big to be with me sometimes when I was majorly out numbered, After my first trip to Arrowhead I thought it was my time to just become the super hero that I always wished for and be that hero for the kids that are like me when I was that age. I took a character from the Incredibles and made it my own!
How important is it to you to have an award show for fans?
I think it is very important! It shows a since of accomplishment in everything that we all put our hearts and lives into! It also keeps us close with other fans around the country and we can team up and help each other if needed! We would have our own alumni! What A Fan is a great idea and a great investment!
What would winning mean to you?
Winning this award for me would mean so much! It would not only be something I have is rewarding for my passion but something I could have to show my Wife and others that This is a big deal! and what we do off the field is a big deal but most of all this award would be a huge honor!
Learn more about the What A Fan Awards by visiting www.whatafanshow.com and if you or someone you know are devoted, passionate and dedicated sports fans let them know they too could be Nominated for this honor!
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