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'We're Going To The Super Bowl!' Kansas City Celebrates End To 50-Year Drought

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in the AFC Championship game.
Ed Zurga
/
AP
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in the AFC Championship game.

For the first time in half a century, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl. 

The Chiefs beat the Tennessee Titans 35-24 at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday to win the AFC Championship, a year after falling just short in a heartbreaking overtime loss to the New England Patriots.

"Chiefs Kingdom, we're going to the Super Bowl!" team owner Clark Hunt shouted to the crowd soon after he was presented with the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named after his father, the founder of the Chiefs franchise.

The victory over the Titans earns Kansas City a spot in Super Bowl LIV in Miami on Feb. 2. They will play the San Francisco 49ers, who defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game Sunday night. 

Fans crowded The Brooksider Sports Bar & Grill in the Brookside shopping area to watch the AFC Championship Game.
Credit Laura Ziegler / KCUR 89.3
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KCUR 89.3
Fans crowded The Brooksider Sports Bar & Grill in the Brookside shopping area to watch the AFC Championship Game.

It's the first time the Chiefs will play on the NFL's biggest stage since 1970, when Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson and Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram led Kansas City to a championship over the Minnesota Vikings.

Fans celebrated Sunday night across the metro, letting out 50 years of pent-up frustration. 

A fan at the Power & Light District cheers after a Chiefs touchdown.
Credit Noah Taborda / KCUR 89.3
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KCUR 89.3
A fan at the Power & Light District cheers after a Chiefs touchdown.

Fans who crammed into Johnnie's Sports Bar in Kansas City, Kansas, erupt after the win.
Credit Frank Morris / KCUR 89.3
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KCUR 89.3
Fans who crammed into Johnnie's Sports Bar in Kansas City, Kansas, erupt after the win.

Confetti flies at the Power & Light District downtown after the win.
Credit Noah Taborda / KCUR 89.3
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KCUR 89.3
Confetti flies at the Power & Light District downtown after the win.

A raucous crowd cheers on the Chiefs at Kelly's Westport Inn.
Credit Lisa Rodriguez / KCUR 89.3
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KCUR 89.3
A raucous crowd cheers on the Chiefs at Kelly's Westport Inn.

Kansas Chiefs owner Clark Hunt hoists the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named after his late father, who founded the Chiefs.
Credit Jeff Roberson / AP
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AP
Kansas Chiefs owner Clark Hunt hoists the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named after his late father, who founded the Chiefs.

Congrats, @Chiefs!#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/fMna5EJ758— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) January 19, 2020

Copyright 2020 KCUR 89.3

Kyle Palmer is KCUR’s morning newscaster. He’s a former teacher, so getting up early is nothing for him. Before moving to the classroom, Kyle earned a Journalism degree from Mizzou and worked as a reporter for Columbia’s NPR affiliate KBIA. He also did play-by-play for the Jefferson City High School football and basketball teams. He earned a national Edward R. Murrow Award for a radio documentary about Missouri’s New Madrid fault (it’s still there, people, and ready to blow!).