The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens played a sloppy game on Sunday, but the story afterwards was more about the fans in the stadium rather than the score on the big screen.
Many Chiefs players, most prominently tackle Eric Winston, came out strongly against the fans at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, taking them to task for applauding and cheering after starting quarterback Matt Cassel was hurt and had to leave the game with a head injury in the fourth quarter.
"It's 100 percent sickening," Chiefs tackle Eric Winston said to the Associated Press. "I've never, ever -- and I've been in some rough times on some rough teams -- I've never been more embarrassed in my life to play football than at that moment right there. I get emotional about it because these guys, they work their butts off. Matt Cassel hasn't done anything to you people."
Cassel has struggled this season and has been a disappointment since signing a 6-year, $62.7 million contract in July of 2009.
Frustrated fans began cheering after Cassel was hit hard by Ravens defensive lineman Halota Ngata and remained on the ground before being walked off the field.
"I knew I hit him hard, but I didn't think it was hard enough to take him out. I thought I hit him right in the ribs," Ngata said. "Hopefully, he bounces back and gets better."
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Cassel was diagnosed with a concussion. Backup Brady Quinn came in and finished the game.
"Hey, if he's not the best quarterback, he's not the best quarterback, and that's OK, but he's a person," Winston continued, the big offensive lineman's voice slowly rising. "And he got knocked out in a game and we've got 70,000 people cheering that he got knocked out."
Cassel threw for only 92 yards and had two interceptions on tipped balls as well as two fumbles. According to ESPN.com, the Chiefs have 19 turnovers, which is the most through five games for the team since the 1997 season.
"We are not gladiators and this is not the Roman Coliseum. This is a game," said Winston, who spoke to Cassel briefly in the locker room after the game. "This is a game that's going to cost us a lot down the road. That's OK. We picked it. We deserve it. I don't want your pity. But we've got a lot of problems as a society if people think that's OK."
Other players also spoke out on the fans behavior
"It's not right, you know what I'm saying? I'll speak that for any stadium, any player to get hurt," said Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL. "When someone gets booed, it's not right. It's his health. You know what I'm saying? He got hurt. You have to respect. It wasn't right that he got booed."
Charles had a fantastic game in the losing effort for the Chiefs, rushing for 140 yards on 30 carries. According to ESPN.com, Charles is only the second running back to gain 125 yards against the Ravens on the ground since 2008.
The Chiefs fans reaction was a huge disappointment and the game wasn't any better for the Kansas City players.
Although the defense was solid in shutting down the Ravens, the offense sputtered, gaining only 124 yards through the air. All the points scored in the game were by the kickers.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker converted field goals of 28, 26 and 39 yards, while Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop was successful on kicks from 30 and 31 yards.
"The ones that count the most are never the prettiest," Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said. "The ones that count the most are the ones that you have to fight through. Anybody on each side of the ball will tell you they'll take a 'W' before anything. For us to go home right now 4-1 is huge."
The biggest difference in the game ended up being turnovers, as it is most weeks in the NFL. The Chiefs gave away the ball four times, while the Ravens only had one interception and one fumble.
"We just want to play a sound football game where we're not dropping the ball as much," said Quinn. "If we can fix that, we can be a pretty solid team."
It was a tough game for the Chiefs, made only worse by the disrespectful and classless actions of their home fans, who have always been known to be some of the best in the NFL. That reputation took a big hit on Sunday and they owe Cassel and the team much better.
Winston said it best for all the fans and players around the country who felt the same way after seeing the booing.
The Chiefs visit Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday, while the Ravens take on the Dallas Cowboys at home.
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