Rockhurst Students Revel in Super Bowl Celebration

Following the exciting Chiefs Super Bowl win, many Rockhurst students endured the cold on their “Red Snow Day” for upwards of seven hours to celebrate the home-town football team at the victory parade and celebration on Feb. 15. With a high of 40º for the day, parade-goers dressed warm and arrived early to find a good perch to view the rally and parade from.

Similar to the 2020 Super Bowl parade, this year’s parade route started at 12:00 pm on Sixth Street and stopped at Pershing Road, with a rally at 1:45 pm topping it off at Union Station.

“I was on the hill above the fountain by union station, so I had a good overview of the crowd and rally,” senior Tate Slaymaker said.

The parade consisted of about 10 buses holding players and their families, coaches, staff, owners and local and state elected officials.

“I think it’s amazing that we’re able to have a huge parade that brings an entire community together,” sophomore Joe Browne said.

An estimated 800,000 to one million fans lined the streets of Kansas City along the parade route and in front of Union Station, even overflowing onto the National World War I Museum’s north lawn.

“Especially compared to last time, it felt like the crowd was a lot bigger,” senior Lukas Pitman said. “We were on Grand and 11th street and by the time the parade started, the street was so packed, we couldn’t really move.”

Students say a highlight of the rally was a special performance from legendary local rapper Tech N9ne. He said the rally was the largest crowd he’s performed in front of to date. He sang “KCMO Anthem” and “Red Kingdom,” two songs that have united the people of Kansas City as we’ve celebrated a World Series and two Lombardi Trophies within the last 7+ years.

“On over half of Tech N9ne’s songs he talks about how proud he is to be [from Kansas City],” Browne said. “On most of his songs he collaborates with other local Kansas City rappers, shining light on the great local artists that KC has to offer. He inspires all KC residents to be proud of their culture and their local communities.”

Two-time Super Bowl MVP and champion Patrick Mahomes promised to see the city next year with another Lombardi Trophy in-hand. Star tight-end Travis Kelce closed things out with his now signature “Fight For Your Right” chant, based off of the Beastie Boys’ 1986 song.

“It’s a great time to be alive in Kansas City…I’m happy that we were able to win this season and I’m excited to watch the Chiefs run it back,” Browne said.