Sportsbeat Kc

The Chiefs are AFC West champs again, but three weeks remain in the regular season, starting with Sunday’s home game against Denver. With one goal down, the Chiefs can’t begin to pursue their second — playoff success — until next month.How will the Chiefs play it? And look who is leading the Broncos’ offense: former Missouri and Lee’s Summit High quarterback Drew Lock. He’s making his third NFL start this weekend, and the Chiefs hope to hand him his first loss.Bonus chat on SportsBeat KC today: Favorite animated movie or character in honor of Lock’s Buzz Lightyear celebration.Story links:Injury-riddled season illuminates character that makes Patrick Mahomes specialHard work paying off for this Chiefs wide receiver, not to mention the offenseThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kansas State is going to a bowl game, as expected, but not the one the program had hoped for. What’s the reaction from the school and its fans? Kellis Robinett checks in from Manhattan to give us the latest on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires.Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stepped to the podium to provide his thoughts on the Broncos, Missouri and Lee’s Summit product Drew Lock, and his own team’s sluggish offense. Finally, Sporting KC made a huge move this week, signing Alan Pulido from Liga MX. We hear from Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes and Shaun Goodwin, who covered the story for The Star Wednesday.Story links:Why three Big 12 bowls snubbed K-State and how Gene Taylor hopes Wildcats fans to respondPulido’s goals in KC: MLS Cup championship, individual scoring titleFrank Clark sees specialist about stomach ailment; Patrick Mahomes’ hand improvesThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing short of winning the AFC Championship will wipe away the disappointment of last season’s ending for the Chiefs, but on Sunday they got a measure of revenge on the team that knocked them from the playoffs, the New England Patriots. The Chiefs won in 23-16, and The Star’s Herbie Teope, Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Sam Mellinger talked about it from the Gillette Stadium press box after the game on Facebook Live now presented as a SportsBeat KC podcast. They covered the ever-improving Chiefs defense, Patrick Mahomes’ hand injury, the issue with the missing equipment before the game, and several other topics.Story links:The Chiefs beat the Patriots but suddenly that’s not enoughStrange but true: Chiefs defense was pivotal in turnabout against PatriotsWhat an odd year it’s been for Patrick Mahomes, yet Chiefs are division champsDefense leads way again as Chiefs beat Brady’s Patriots in New EnglandGood grades all around, especially in pass defense, for Chiefs’ victory over PatriotsThanks to our sponsor,

Eliah Drinkwitz is the new head football coach at the University of Missouri. He came on the Tigers’ radar screen late in the process but Mizzou believes it’s found the right person for the job after Drinkwitz compiled a 12-1 record and Sun Belt Conference championship at Appalachian State.Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger joined MU beat writer Souichi Terada and SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in describing the introductory event in Columbia and speculating on Drinkwitz’s future in the SEC.Links to the stories we discussed:Drinkwitz’s first impression at Mizzou? Good. Sterk’s role in his hire? Not so muchGary Pinkel showed Mizzou what was possible in the SEC, believes Drinkwitz can follow suitFrom Eliah Drinkwitz’s salary to buyout, here are his Mizzou contract detailsAfter whirlwind weekend, Eliah Drinkwitz seizes “opportunity of a lifetime” at MizzouThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a college sports Friday on SportsBeat KC, and The Star’s college beat writers weigh in with the latest at Missouri, Kansas State and Kansas. Souichi Terada provides the update on Mizzou’s football coaching search. There are names. Is an announcement near? The WIldcats know they’re going bowling. But where? Kellis Robinett runs down the possibilities. Les Miles completed his first year as the KU football coach, and the Jayhawks finished with the same record as last season. But is there a different feel as Kansas enters the offseason?Where’s the A-list? Sterk’s Missouri football coaching search seems to lack wow factorHere’s a look at the four Missouri football coaching candidates on AD Jim Sterk’s listWhy K-State might play in one of the Big 12’s top bowls, or get passed over for TexasThis KU QB’s breakout year began at the Virginia Inn. It ended with a final, unselfish actThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Chiefs-Patriots week, and this is a game the Chiefs have thought about since dropping the AFC Championship Game to New England in January. Young gun quarterback Patrick Mahomes faces six-time Super Bowl championship quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots have excelled defensively, the Chiefs have looked better in recent weeks with most of their starters healthy.Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian joined Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down the game, what to look for, and how the afternoon in Foxborough might unfold on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires.Story links:Still the Pats: Chiefs brush off talk of potentially declining Patriots offensePatrick Mahomes’ preparation for this weekend’s Patriots game started back in JanuaryFormer NFL running back explains why he expects Tom Brady to outplay Patrick MahomesThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Newell stops by to discuss the Jayhawks’ next game, against ranked Colorado, and reviews Kansas’ impressive performance in the Maui Invitational. Of note: how one play late in the title game against Dayton, which didn’t involve a shot or pass, helped KU win the tournament. Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes met the media and the primary topic was Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots and Tom Brady.Story links:How Marcus Garrett led KU against Dayton by helping team away from disaster - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article237845044.htmlSelf pleased with KU’s play so far. Where does coach rate his squad on 1-10 scale? - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article238045304.htmlPatrick Mahomes’ preparation for this weekend’s Patriots game started back in January - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article238042179.htmlThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

Missouri is in the hunt for a new football coach and that’s the topic on SportsBeat KC. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger discuss why Barry Odom was fired and join host Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down what Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk may be seeking in a replacement. We come up with a favorite candidate. Also, the group assigns grades to the football seasons of Kansas State and Kansas.Story links:A Battle Line Rivalry...for a coach? What’s the better job, Arkansas or Mizzou? - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article237970634.htmlIn final days of Mizzou’s Odom tenure, near unanimous support from players, coaches - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article237966749.htmlWhy K-State might play in one of Big 12’s top bowls, or get passed over by Texas - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article237970119.htmlThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/

The Chiefs walloped the Oakland Raiders 40-9 at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to take command of the AFC West race. The defense and special teams were terrific, the offense was good enough to post the decisive victory. The A-team of Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff broke down the game on Facebook Live now presented as a SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires. Next up for the Chiefs: A trip to New England to meet the Patriots on Sunday.Story links:Patrick Mahomes’ career-low performance was in harmony with a key Chiefs breakthrough - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article237942199.htmlThis is what Chiefs fans were saying after KC thumped the Raiders, 40-9 - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article237946329.htmlFive things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: New England Patriots - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article237953544.htmlThanks to our sponsor, Big O

Some call today Black Friday.Around here, though, it’s still Red Friday, with the Chiefs involved in a division showdown Sunday against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.On SportsBeat KC, we talked Chiefs-Raiders with national sports talk show host JT the Brick, who hosts a Raiders podcast. Also, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes met with the media for the first time since the aftermath of the Chargers game and talked about an offense that didn’t come up with many big plays in Mexico City and what he thinks about comparisons to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.Story links:Chiefs Damien Williams misses second straight practiceThe way Patrick Mahomes appraoched his bye week explains his successChiefs kicker Harrison Butker shares backstory on 71-yard kick attempt in pre-game warmupsThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas City Royals formally introduced new owner John Sherman this week, and as Star columnist Sam Mellinger wrote that he made “one hell of a first impression.” Sherman spoke to his call from David Glass informing him that the Royals were for sale, the team’s payroll and the prospects for a downtown stadium. Today’s SportsBeat KC podcast is Sherman’s press conference, moderated by Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre. Happy Thanksgiving!Story links:John Sherman made pretty good first impression as third owner in KC Royals history - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article237805589.htmlRoyals complete sale to Sherman and announce investors in his ownership group - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article237789964.htmlWith John Sherman’s purchase of KC Royals, a new era begins in Kansas City - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article237637439.htmlThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

The impact of the NCAA’s decision not to grant an appeal of sanctions will be felt in the short and long term. The Tigers can’t go a bowl game this season, even they defeat Arkansas on Friday and qualify for the postseason with a sixth victory. And it will cost the program millions in bowl revenue from the Southeastern Conference. Also, will Friday mark Barry Odom’s final game as Mizzou’s football coach? Star columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses these topics with SportsBeat KC podcast host Blair Kerkhoff.Show links:Mizzou leaders blast NCAA”s denial of sanctions appeal - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article237804609.htmlIn Mizzou’s case, NCAA’s message is to better deny responsibility and cooperate - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article237801579.htmlFifth straight loss makes Mizzou’s season hard to salvage for Odom, Sterk and company - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article237715424.htmlThanks to ou

The weekly custom of SportsBeat KC originating as a FaceBook Live continued Tuesday. What what differed was the location and cast. Chiefs talk took to the road ... to Big O Tires in Wichita. Chiefs beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell along with host Blair Kerkhoff were joined by Taylor Eldridge of the Wichita Eagle. Chiefs were the main course but in the spirit of Thanksgiving, side dishes of college basketball and high school football were served.Show links:What’s working for and against the Chiefs after their bye weekhttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237781969.htmlAFC West picture: Strength of schedules, playoff odds and more for Chiefs, Raidershttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article237755689.htmlScores, schedules for all high school football playoff games across Missouri, Kansashttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/article237638554.htmlThanks to our sponsor, Big O Tires! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch

The Chiefs-Raiders rivalry is one of the NFL’s most intense, and nobody enjoyed those games more than Bell. In the final years of the American Football League, the teams battled for division supremacy and the teams combined for three of the AFL’s four Super Bowl appearances.Bell, perhaps the greatest player in Chiefs history, played a major role in those battles and joined The Star’s Vahe Gregorian and Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC on Monday, reminiscing about the games and the personalities who shaped the rivalry.Bell talks about why he once followed running back Clem Daniels into the Raiders huddle, why the teams brought the heat each time they played.Also, Kansas beat writer Jesse Newell previews the Jayhawks’ appearance in the Maui Invitational, which started Monday and how Bill Self might adjust his lineups to play three games in three days.Show links:Vahe Gregorian: Bobby Bell gets his biggest score yet, a college degree - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article21201

Recently, Kansas Coach Bill Self said he wanted to watch a game from home but couldn’t. He did hadn’t subscribed to Big 12 NOW, the league’s new streaming network through ESPN Plus.Streaming sports events and programs have been around for a while, but for the first time, it takes a subscription to view some KU, Kansas State and other Big 12 football and basketball games. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said the league is on the “right side of technology,” and experts believe streaming will become more prevalent in the coming years, not less ...But there are issues here, too, like cost, production value and connectivity. Also, Missouri, K-State and Kansas have this in common: They’re coming off football losses and are preparing for high-profile men’s basketball tournaments. Beat writers Souichi Terada, Kellis Robinett and Jesse Newell break down the teams they cover on SportsBeat KC presented by Big O Tires.Links to related stories:Streaming puts Big 12 on ‘right side of technology,’ but viewers face new chall

Mexico City in the NFL future, Chiefs issues in the red zone, the Philip Rivers question and famous sports figures named Sam are among the topics on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast presented by Big O Tires. The Chiefs have a bye week ahead of their AFC West showdown with the Oakland Raiders on Dec 1. But Facebook Live rolled on on Big O Tires in Lee’s Summit with Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope and Blair Kerkhoff. The Sams - Mellinger and McDowell - were on assignment, but they weren’t forgotten.Links to the stories we discussed:Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill considered day to day with minor hamstring injury, report says - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237577219.htmlMellinger MInutes: Mexico City Diablos (?), Chiefs crossroads, Reid’s play calls - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article237530569.htmlHere’s what Chiefs, Chargers players had to say about divot-filled field in Mexico City - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chie

Fifty years ago, the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV with one of the most dominant teams in pro football history. Author Michael MacCambridge captured the remarkable season and what it meant to Kansas City in his new book “69 Chiefs: A Team, a Season and the Birth of Modern Kansas City.” On Oct. 27, the day the Chiefs met the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead, MacCambridge participated in a Rainy Day Books author event at Unity Temple on the Plaza with NFL Hall of Famers Willie Lanier and Jan Stenerud. The moderator was The Star’s Vahe Gregorian. The panel spoke the closeness of that team, how it withstood the absence of quarterback Len Dawson for six games and what it was like to participate in the greatest victory in team history. Said MacCambridge: “I just thought the 69 Chiefs was a great story of an athletic triumph, a great cultural story and I know this was the last chance to tell it.” Hear the discussion on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast presented by Big O Tires.Links:What Mike Livingston meant

 The Chiefs needed this one. They had to go international to get it, but they returned from Mexico City with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers that keeps them in first place in the AFC West. The outcome also sets up a showdown with the surprise team of the division, the Oakland Raiders, on Dec. 1. The A-team of Sam Mellinger, Vahe Gregorian, Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell covered the game and discussed all the essential topics like the Chiefs’ four - count ‘em, four - interceptions, Tyreek Hill’s injury, Patrick Mahomes’ sub-par game (by his standards) and Melly fesses up to what he saw on the Estadio Azteca kiss cam that made it different from kiss cams in U.S. stadiums.Read the stories we discussed:Viva Los Chiefs! KC plays tough defense, jumps on Chargers miscues for win in Mexico - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237482584.htmlWith Chiefs reeling, their Tyrann Mathieu-led defense reserved team’s fortunes - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregor

A preseason Super Bowl pick by many, the Kansas City Chiefs are in a dogfight for the division lead heading into the Monday Night Football against the LA Chargers in Mexico City. Offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz and linebacker Anthony Hitchens provide their takes on the team’s current state heading into tonight. And KU beat writer Jesse Newell explains how the final field goal scored in the Jayhawks’ 55-point victory on Friday night created a national buzz and filled his social media mentions.Read the stories we discussed:Good news on the injury front: Starting Chiefs front 5 on track to be full strength Monday - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237442854.htmlDespite recent domination, Chiefs remain cautions of dangerous Rivers-led Chargers - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237440149.htmlChiefs vs. Chargers players to watch: These teams know how to get to the quarterback - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237440339

Patrick Mahomes met the media at the Chiefs training facility for the first time since dislocating his kneecap a month ago. He talked about the injury, the Chiefs’ upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City and on being compared to Steph Curry. Also, Missouri, Kansas State and Kansas are all in action on the gridiron Saturday. Beat writers Souichi Tereda, Kellis Robinett and Jesse Newell break down the games...and K-State’s new uniform look.Read the stories we discussed:Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says he feels as healthy as he has all season - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article237367529.htmlHow Mizzou hopes to repair “pathetic” offense: It starts with blocking out the noise - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article237355349.htmlSome don’t like throwback ‘Cats logo, but merchandise sells in the thousands - https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article237317264.htmlKU players sense this week’s u