ESPN’s new documentary, The Kingdom, chronicles the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs season, which culminated in a Super Bowl defeat. The film opens with a speech from the losing locker room at Super Bowl LIX, setting the stage for a narrative focused on the journey rather than just the outcome.
The documentary begins at training camp, where the Chiefs allowed a film crew to capture behind-the-scenes footage of their quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl victory. This season marked a significant turnaround for a franchise that had long struggled in the NFL.
The opening episode features notable figures such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes, coach Andy Reid, and tight end Travis Kelce, who explore the team’s historical archives. Among these is the original blueprint for the American Football League, founded in 1960 by Lamar Hunt, who faced initial rejection from the NFL before creating a rival league.
Hunt’s determination led to the formation of the Kansas City franchise, which eventually won its first Super Bowl in January 1970. However, the Chiefs faced decades of obscurity before their recent resurgence.
General Manager Brett Veach’s discovery of Mahomes was somewhat serendipitous; while scouting for an offensive lineman at Texas Tech University, he recognized Mahomes’ exceptional talent. The Chiefs traded away their 2018 first-round draft pick to select Mahomes 10th overall in 2017, despite already having a successful quarterback in Alex Smith.
Mahomes quickly proved his worth, leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in his first year as a starter and earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award. With key players like Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones, the Chiefs achieved remarkable success, winning three Super Bowls in five seasons.
The documentary also highlights the immense pressure faced by the team as they pursued a third straight championship. Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who won four Super Bowls, remarked on the challenges of maintaining excellence, suggesting he might have retired after his fourth win rather than attempt a three-peat.
Injuries, age, and player departures contributed to the difficulties the Chiefs encountered in their pursuit. Although they fell short of the three-peat, The Kingdom provides an in-depth look at their journey and the factors that led to their near success.
Episodes of The Kingdom will re-air on the ESPN family of networks and are available for streaming on ESPN Plus and Disney Plus.
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