KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs’ recent organizational and on-field challenges have prompted a statistical re-examination of the franchise’s trajectory, centered specifically on the timeline following the arrest and conviction of prominent superfan Xaviar Babudar, known as “Chiefsaholic.” While the concept of a “curse” remains a staple of sports folklore, data indicates a marked shift in the team’s fortunes coinciding with Babudar’s legal developments.
Babudar, who was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison in September 2024 for a string of bank robberies across multiple states, was once a fixture on the Arrowhead Stadium sidelines. Since his initial capture and the subsequent legal fallout, the Chiefs—who enjoyed a period of historic dominance including three Super Bowl titles—have encountered a series of unprecedented hurdles that have tested the depth and stability of the organization.
The timeline of decline is notable. Following the conclusion of Babudar’s case, the Chiefs have faced a staggering array of off-field distractions and internal crises. This includes the high-speed crash involving wide receiver Rashee Rice, the controversial commencement speech by kicker Harrison Butker, and the recent, league-altering announcement that the team will relocate from Missouri to a new $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas by 2031.
On the field, the “invincibility” associated with the Patrick Mahomes era has shown signs of friction. During the 2025 season, the Chiefs’ offense—previously a league-leading juggernaut—has experienced increased volatility, including uncharacteristic turnovers and struggles in red-zone efficiency. While the team remains a postseason contender, the ease with which they once dispatched AFC rivals has been replaced by a string of narrow victories and high-profile losses.
Furthermore, the franchise’s relationship with its local Missouri fan base has reached a historical nadir. The failure of the Jackson County sales tax vote in early 2024 signaled a breakdown in local public support, directly leading to the decision to move the team across the state line. This move represents the ultimate severance of the team’s nearly 60-year identity in Missouri, a development that critics and fans alike have linked to the “dark cloud” hanging over the organization since the Babudar scandal broke.
While the Chiefs’ coaching staff and front office maintain that their focus remains strictly on the 2025 playoffs, the accumulation of legal, logistical, and competitive setbacks since Babudar’s sentencing has created a narrative of a franchise in transition. Whether the current atmosphere is a statistical anomaly or a lasting shift in team dynamics remains a subject of intense debate among NFL analysts and the Kansas City community.
