Ex-Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill squared off with his old squad in Germany during SNF. Hill’s first meeting with the Chiefs was also a contest for conference control. However, there’s no bad blood between him and his ex-team. While he’s thankful for his Chiefs days, Coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes agree that Hill is still a star, even eight seasons in.
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However, it is reported that there is an endearing reason behind why the Chiefs played their home game against the Dolphins in Germany, and the reason had something to do with Tyreek Hill. Chiefs beat writer for the Athletic, in his appearance at ‘Only Weird Games’ podcast powered by Draft King Sportsbook, revealed that the Chiefs didn’t want the home crowd to hate on the Cheetah.
Chiefs Take on Protecting Their Own
The Chiefs and Dolphins faced off in Frankfurt, Germany, one of the central narratives in play is the battle for AFC supremacy between two 6-2 teams. However, Nate Taylor of The Athletic suggested that the Chiefs deliberately chose to play the Dolphins in Germany to prevent Tyreek Hill from being booed by Kansas City fans at Arrowhead. Taylor revealed how Chiefs wanted to protect their ex-teammate Hill:
“They didn’t want you to boo Tyreek Hill.” 😳@ByNateTaylor tells @jbbrisco and @RealMNchiefsfan that the Chiefs chose to play the Dolphins in Germany.
(powered by @DKSportsbook)
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) November 3, 2023
The journalist noted that the Chiefs had a choice between the Dolphins and the Lions for the opening night, and they opted for Miami, which resulted in a 21-14 win. He hinted that the NFL could have selected Detroit if the home team, the Chiefs, had preferred that matchup. However, Kansas went with the Dolphins for the matchup. Some fans respected this decision and appreciated the organization for respecting Hill for his time with the Kansas squad:
Yep. I’d heard rumors a couple months ago, that Chiefs requested the NFL let them play Miami in Germany instead of the Bears, because they did not want to risk fans booing, or worse, tossing things on to the field at Tyreek. It’s sad to think some fans would do that. 😕
— Connie Jo (@cjkc_life09) November 3, 2023
The organization has more respect and appreciation for what he did in his time here than fans.
— Casey Rodgers (@SlinkECasey) November 4, 2023
However, one fan did not like the fact that the Chiefs “took away” a home game from the fans, robbing them of a live experience:
As a STM that is bs, they took a home game away from the fans, bad decision on whom ever made it
— mike hanchey (@hanch57) November 4, 2023
Some fans enraged with this decision wanted to get right ahead to the ‘boo-ing’:
Boo him now!! Haha!!!
— GemStateStacker (@GemStateStacker) November 5, 2023
One fan even gave a reason for why the Cheetah deserves to be booed:
Honestly I miss tyreek and never hated him for leaving, but the guy constantly talks shit about the chiefs he deserves to get booed
— Nate (@Nate07662136128) November 4, 2023
Even with such mixed reactions, it’s noteworthy how Hill has excelled since the trade. He was leading the NFL in both receiving yards (1,014) and receiving touchdowns (8) ahead of the Chiefs’ face-off. However, he fell short during the Frankfurt matchup, as the Chiefs limited the speedy Miami Dolphins receiver to eight catches for 62 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, the defending champions, left Germany with a win.