Merry Christmas from the Chief in the North!

And the entire Keysor family.

Tomorrow, you’ll be able to read all about some things the Chiefs’ defense did differently against the Seahawks than they have in recent weeks.

But today, at the quiet urging of Mrs. MNchiefsfan (and by “quiet urging,” I mean direct order), we’re taking a quick break here at the Chief in the North Newsletter to spend a little extra time with family. But I definitely wanted to say Merry Christmas to all of you.

My side of the family has a Christmas tradition that we started when I was about 7 years old or so. We fill up “fancy” (we were way too poor to have actual fancy glasses, but you get the idea) glasses with eggnog or sparkling water, then we gather in a circle. We read Luke Chapter 2 together, then we go around the circle and each person tells about something their thankful for from the previous year. Over the years, it’s gone from 5 people to 17 people in the circle as our families have grown (with my own horde serving as a big part of it, of course).

It might seem like an odd thing to do for Christmas (as opposed to Thanksgiving), but it’s a tradition that’s endured over the years because there’s something very special about being thankful as you reflect on the previous year and the holiday season. And, of course (all of you have subscribed long enough to know where I stand on issues of faith), it’s also a chance to be thankful to God for the blessings He’s provided while celebrating the greatest blessing ever given 2,000 years ago (I swear, that’s all I’ll say on that topic as I’m a “stick to football” guy, but I’d be thrilled to talk to any of you about it any time you want via email, DM’s, or phone call!).

The reason I tell you all this is to say that over the last several years, one of the things I’ve been consistently thankful for is you. Every one of you. I’ve said it many times before, but I can’t emphasize enough how much this place has become more than I ever imagined it could.

When I started the site, it was intended to be a bit of a “side project.” I started it in part because it sounded like fun to have a direct line to Chiefs fans and be my own “boss” in the industry for the first time. But it was also because at the time (June of 2020) the sports writing world was in a great deal of flux and I had no idea what my future held in the industry. In either event, I always expected The Chief in the North Newsletter to be a little project that would at least provide an outlet for an article a week, or something like that.

Instead, this has become my primary place for content, and a thriving community where I’m able to write multiple times a week. And that’s entirely thanks to your incredible support. What’s more, I’ve gotten to know many of you in the comments here and in emails, and you’ve all shared so much back in response to me sharing a few thoughts about the Chiefs. It’s become such a bigger and more special place than I’d ever dreamed that I dare to dream about one day doing this as my “day” job (who knows, right?).

Thank you so much. I’m so grateful for your trust in spending your precious time and hard-earned money on this place, and I promise to try and make it worth every minute and penny.

I (and my family) appreciate you more than you could ever know. It’s a great Christmas to be a Chiefs fan.

Merry Christmas!