While Rasheed Wallace played for six different teams in his NBA career after playing at North Carolina under legendary coach Dean Smith, some might forget that the four-time All-Star is a Philadelphia native.
Wallace was a dominant player at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, where he received myriad accolades. But when it comes to his NFL allegiances, Wallace’s football team does not reside in the City of Brotherly Love. When Super Bowl LVII takes place between the Chiefs and the Eagles on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz., Wallace will be cheering on Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and Kansas City to a victory.
Following the Chiefs’ 23–20 win against the Bengals in the AFC Championship game, the 48-year-old posted a video on his Instagram account taking a jab at the Eagles and applauding the Chiefs.
“So this is what it boils down to Mean Gene,” Wallace said. “We’ve got these pretenders over here called the Philadelphia Pigeons, and we’ve got these bona-fide champions over here called the Kansas City CHIEEEFFS!”
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It is important to note that Wallace’s fandom with the Chiefs did not start the play of Mahomes. His love for the franchise stems back to when Kansas City acquired Joe Montana in 1993. Since then, on different occasions, Wallace has publicly shown his affiliation to the Chiefs that includes wearing a Derrick Thomas jersey at a Chiefs-Eagles game in 2009, according to The Kansas City Star.
Wallace was no stranger to going against the grain when stepped on the hardwood. And, when it comes to battle for the Lombardi Trophy, he told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he plans to celebrate the Chiefs’ victory in a big way.
“When we win it I’m going to have a parade with the trophy from stinkin Financial Field to 11th and McKean (in South Philly) where the celebration ends,” Wallace said in a text message to the Inquirer, per the Star.
Like millions of fans on Sunday, Wallace will have a heavy investment in Sunday’s matchup. But unlike many, he just won’t be cheering on his hometown team.
