Arrowhead Stadium has long been considered one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, with crowd noise often reaching 116 decibels. Visiting teams have commented on the deafening environment and how extremely disruptive it can be during a game, while Chiefs players and coaches have said the noise helps give the team a strong home-field advantage.
"The crowd was unbelievable," head coach Andy Reid commented, following the Chiefs win against the Cowboys in the 2013 home opener. "They just made it about impossible for the Cowboys to hear...It was crazy and our players felt that. Believe it or not, they feel it, especially when the ground is shaking. When our fans are going, you can feel that field and it just kind of rumbles, it's crazy, but (an) awesome feeling."
A group of dedicated and passionate Chiefs fans are organizing a movement to continue the loud "ground shaking" roar at Arrowhead, during Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders. The group is aiming to not only break the stadium's 116-decibel record, but also hopes to break the recently set Guinness World Record of 136.6 decibels.
Six fans, whose friendship formed through their time at Arrowhead Stadium, have come together to encourage all fans to be loud and proud of their Chiefs. The group hopes this initiative will unite fans and restore Arrowhead's reputation as the loudest stadium in the NFL.
"We want the fans being as loud as ever and we're doing everything we can to break a world record and to reach 137 decibels," Ty Rowton, one of the group members explained. "But more importantly, the main goal of all of this is to bring back Arrowhead and make it the loudest and most intimidating stadium in the NFL."
In 2008, Sports Illustrated produced a photo gallery ranking the top ten "Toughest Places to Play." Arrowhead Stadium landed the number one spot. The photo they chose was that of super fan Ty Rowton, proudly sporting his Chiefs gear, painted face and large Arrowhead foam hat.
"When the Chiefs are having a bad season, they're tough to beat at Arrowhead," the caption reads. "When they're having a good season, they're unbeatable. With the scent of barbecue in the air and a sea of red in the stands, Kansas City is the best football atmosphere in the country."
The group agrees that Kansas City is home to the best atmosphere in the league and that there isn't anything quite like Arrowhead Stadium.
"To me, Arrowhead is a home away from home. It's like my vacation house and I haven't missed a game since 1991," Rowton noted. "Next to my kids being born, some of my greatest memories in life happened at Arrowhead…I've been to every other stadium except two and there is nothing like this place."
The Kansas City Chiefs organization is supporting the group's movement and believes that the club's dedicated and passionate fans are the league's best.
"We have the best fans in the NFL and we are proud to support them in their efforts to break the Guinness World Record of Loudest Crowd Roar at a Sports Stadium (Outdoors)," the Chiefs organization commented. "All Chiefs fans will unite at the Chiefs vs. Raiders game in showing how loud and proud they are, in an attempt to break the current record of 136.6 decibels."
During the most recent home game against the New York Giants, the peak crowd noise level recorded was 124.5 decibels.
"Knowing that we got to 124.5 decibels at the last home game is awesome and is also very encouraging," Mark Powell, a group member advocating for the world record mentioned. "As pumped up as everyone is, we really believe that we can get to 137 decibels. We can break this record and become the loudest stadium, again."
It will all take place on Sunday afternoon as the Chiefs battle the Raiders. The group is hosting a pep rally, prior to kickoff to prepare fans for the world record attempt. The pep rally will be held in Lot M beginning around 9:00 a.m.
"Personally, I think the mission is already accomplished," Rowton noted. "The pride has returned…everywhere you go you see Chiefs pride in this city. Seeing that is awesome; getting the world record is just icing on the cake now."
More information can be found here.
