It’s probably a very challenging time to be a fan of any AFC West team that isn’t the Kansas City Chiefs. Sunday night’s overtime win in Super Bowl 58 officially cemented Patrick Mahomes and friends as a dynasty. And it doesn’t seem like their run is ending any time soon.
That’s rather unfortunate for anyone who roots for the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. For one, the Chiefs won a championship on the Raiders’ home field. It usually doesn’t get more painful than that. But Sunday evening was likely more taxing on the Denver faithful than anyone else in this division.
Why? Because Broncos legend John Elway was the guest presenter for the Lombardi Trophy. He was picked long in advance, so it’s not like he had a choice, but it still had to sting Denver fans watching their best player ever hand a title to a hated rival:
John Elway having to deliver the Chiefs Lombardi Trophy is the cherry on top. pic.twitter.com/IWcdZNLKFy
— KC Chiefs Blog (@KCChiefsBlog) February 12, 2024
The Broncos have just one win over the Chiefs since September 2015. Barring some completely unforeseen turnaround, they’re likely not going to shift their fortunes with Kansas City any time soon. Oh, by the way, the Chiefs’ latest Super Bowl win now means they have more Lombardi Trophies (4) than the Broncos (3), too. Oof.
Having a Denver icon like Elway be the man to literally give the Chiefs their latest championship isn’t something I’d wish upon my worst sports enemy.
Broncos fans were devastated by Elway giving the Super Bowl trophy to the Chiefs
Tell me the Chiefs winning back 2 back SB’s and John Elway handing them the trophy was a nightmare pic.twitter.com/tCdcKAu5jY
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) February 12, 2024
Me when John Elway handed us the Lombardi trophy last night pic.twitter.com/RUId6SKPQJ
— tedmønds (taylor's version) (@good_tweets_ted) February 12, 2024
John Elway delivering the Lombardi last night. pic.twitter.com/JrwWOaKipS
— Koly kol (@Young_Simp57) February 12, 2024
John Elway carrying the Lombardi Trophy to the Chiefs is so painful. pic.twitter.com/xDKTkRGGk3
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) February 12, 2024
Watching my dearest John Elway deliver the Lombardi to those people just ripped my heart out. Pray for me
— Heath Tucker (@the_Htuck) February 12, 2024
I just know John Elway is in hell right now
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) February 12, 2024
WHY IS JOHN ELWAY CARRYING THE TROPHY
— Rachel Vigil (@heyrachelvigil) February 12, 2024
John Elway walks up to the podium with the Vince Lombardi Trophy through a phalanx of Chiefs players who touch the trophy as he passes by.
Elway, part of the relay of the Lombardi that moves the Chiefs past the Broncos with 4 all-time Super Bowl titles.
That'll sting, I think.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 12, 2024
John Elway — forever the face of the @broncos —having to hand the Lombardi trophy to the Chiefs is something out of a medieval torture chamber.
Why you do me like that NFL?— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) February 12, 2024