Missouri lawmaker wants the Battlehawks to replace Chiefs as state’s official football team

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - A Missouri lawmaker introduced a resolution to strip the Kansas City Chiefs of their honorary designation as the state’s football team following the team’s announcement to move to Kansas.

St. Charles Sen. Nick Schroer presented the resolution to the Senate on Thursday, proposing to make the St. Louis Battlehawks Missouri’s official football team instead.

“It not only removes the designation of the Kansas City Chiefs as Missouri’s football team, it in place solidifies that ‘Kaw’ is the law by making this law and recognizing that the St. Louis Battlehawks are indeed Missouri’s official football team,” Schroer said.

The full resolution takes digs at the Chiefs, reading, “based on recent events, it has become clear that the will of the people of the state of Missouri has changed with regard to the designation of the Kansas City Chiefs as the official NFL football team of this state; and

Whereas, the Kansas City Chiefs football organization has indicated that, despite years of fan support and financial support from the citizens of this state, the team wants to relocate the team to the state of Kansas.”

It goes on to boost the Battlehawks, reading, “Whereas, the Battlehawks have been a beacon of professionalism and a source of pride for the state of Missouri; and Whereas, it is proper for the state of Missouri to recognize the achievements of the Battlehawks, including their passionate fans who understand that Kaw is Law as they cry out “Ka-Kaw” to support their team.”

The Chiefs’ decision to move across state lines came as a shock to lawmakers who spent several weeks at the Capitol discussing and debating incentives to keep the team in Missouri. Schroer also filed additional bills that would punish the team for its decision to move to Kansas.

Based on an investigation done by Gray Media’s Missouri Capitol Bureau, the special session Missouri held to create a special package to incentivize the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to stay in Missouri cost taxpayers over $70,000.

The proposal received mixed reactions from Schroer’s colleagues. Some St. Louis-area lawmakers support the resolution and the Battlehawks’ designation. Sen. Doug Beck said he’s personally a big Battlehawks fan.

“It probably will be the only official football team in the state, so in a bipartisan move, I’m solid Battlehawks, so that’s good,” Beck said.

However, other lawmakers hold out hope that the Chiefs could reverse their decision. State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer said the deal might not be final.

“There’s still an opportunity for that deal to potentially fall apart. I’ll just say that. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but it doesn’t sound like it’s a totally done deal,” State Senator Luetkemeyer said.

The resolution still needs to be voted on by the Senate to become official, and it remains unclear if there is enough support for it to pass.

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