Do you remember when Hulk Hogan switched from WWE to WCW and joined the NWO? It was a wild turn of events for anyone who followed wrestling then, to see this American hero suddenly flip to the dark side and become a villain. For wrestling fans of a certain age, it was a harsh introduction to the realities of life.
Chiefs fans just got handed a dose of that same reality as well, thanks to Jamaal Charles signing with the Broncos on Tuesday.
Charles signing with Denver isn't just brutal for Chiefs fans because Charles signed with a division rival. That in and of itself stings for Kansas City supporters because they'll be seeing one of the best players to ever suit up for the franchise twice a year in 2017, at bare minimum. Charles twice a year is scary too, because he's capable of doing some damage as a running back and receiver, even if his best days are behind him and he has a total of 404 rushing yards the last two years combined.
No, what's really brutal is how Charles is handling the transition. He's standing in the middle of the ring, microphone turned up to volume 11 and putting the Chiefs on blast.
For starters, Charles said John Elway was his favorite player growing up, and he has "always wanted" to play for Denver. Ouch.
"I always wanted to play with Denver. Growing up, [Executive Vice President of Football Operations/GM] John Elway was my favorite player," Charles said. "I just like the environment, the team and the organization. I wanted to be a part of it. I still feel like I can still play ball. I can keep up with the young people."
That's rough to read. But maybe he just grew up as a Broncos fan in Port Arthur, Texas. That's totally possible right? Sure why not. Or maybe he's taking the business it a little personal.
"It's behind me now. I really don't even want to talk about that. I love the organization and love the team," Charles said. "At the end of the day, it's a business, but it's also personal as well. It is what it is. At the end of the day, they let me go and I'm not there. I'm starting a new chapter and I'm happy with my new chapter, really."
That last sentence sounds like a guy who is going out of his way to post pictures of his new girlfriend on Facebook and making sure his ex-wife is seeing them.
This is confirmed by Charles basically saying he'll have a two-game revenge tour on the Chiefs in 2017.
"I'm just happy I get to play them twice a year," Charles said laughing. "I'll just leave it like that. I'll let those two games speak for themselves. At the end of the day, I love my teammates. I wish them the best. I know they wish me the best too. At the end of the day, it's about how we can feed our families. I'm here with the Broncos."
Nothing is more pure and delightful than football spite. Adrian Peterson is currently going through a serious case of it, having signed with the Saints in a weird backfield situation, ostensibly just to run for 500 yards against the Vikings in Week 1 on "Monday Night Football." The Saints are going to win that game and AP is going to go off. Mark it down.
Seeing Charles rip off a couple of huge runs and or receptions against the Chiefs at some point in the 2017 season feels like a mortal lock as well. He's motivated to prove them wrong and really motivated to burn their house to the ground.
Just make sure you don't overdraft him in fantasy football based on those two upcoming games.
