Deron Cherry: We need to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County | Opinion

There’s nothing like the roar that shakes your bones emerging from the tunnel onto the field at Arrowhead Stadium. No interception could rival that feeling. Chiefs Kingdom is special — if you’re not part of it, you can’t understand it.

I knew that during my playing days — and I know that especially now on the other side, as a resident of Jackson County.

But above all, I know it’s essential that we keep that feeling right here at home and vote yes on Question 1 on April 2. I can’t imagine the mere thought of another city getting to experience what is ours.

The future of Kansas City sports hangs in the balance. On April 2, Jackson County residents face an important vote: to uphold the decadeslong partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in Jackson County, or to gamble with a legacy that has enriched our community for decades.

The Chiefs and the Royals are institutions in Kansas City, driving economic developments that provide unparalleled benefits to our community. But it’s so much more thanks to the additional support the players, staff and front office give to support our community throughout the year.

While seen less on TV than the plays on the field, it was the days we spent in the schools and around the city reading with kids, motivating them to get exercise and giving them positive words of encouragement that were my most treasured, as well as lending a helping hand in food kitchens and shelters around town. I knew during my playing days that having our two teams in the community was important. Now as a private citizen and business owner in Jackson County, I know that even more so.

Voting yes on April 2 is more than just an extension of the current public-private partnership. It is a commitment to keeping our teams in Jackson County where they belong. It would allow the Royals to contribute to building out our emerging downtown core, and it would give our Chiefs the opportunity to make the best fan experience in the NFL even better.

As I have reviewed the plans closely, I’m impressed by the more than $1.3 billion already committed in private funding between the two teams. It’s not just an investment in sports. It’s an investment in the cultural and economic vitality of our city. Importantly, no one will pay more in taxes under this plan. The teams have committed to historic community benefits agreements worth more than $266 million to ensure no one goes missed in this proposal.

Plus, the Royals have already promised to make the Kansas City Public School district whole on any shortfall from tax revenue, and both clubs have agreed to relieve Jackson County of its obligation to pay stadium insurance premiums and a park levy, which frees up $200 million for use in the community.

Finally, funding from Jackson County will advance the ongoing conversations with the Kansas City and the state to secure additional funds to support the stadium projects. City and state funding will ultimately supplement public money from Jackson County.

In my opinion, this is plain and simply a better deal than what we currently have.

We are in a golden era of Kansas City sports. Our Chiefs are a dynasty. Spring is in the air for our Royals and superstar Bobby Witt Jr. The Kansas City Current has made history with the country’s first stadium built for women’s professional sports. And the entire world will appreciate Arrowhead when we host the World Cup in 2026.

The time is now. We can’t let the moment pass us by to seize on the momentum our town is experiencing and ensure prosperity and continued legacy for our kids and their children. There is too much at stake.

When you think of Kansas City, you think of the Chiefs and the Royals. A vote yes on April 2 is a vote for Kansas City’s future, an opportunity to declare your commitment to protecting our city’s culture and advancing the growth and prosperity for Jackson County residents far and wide — and for generations to come.

No other city deserves what we’ve built for ourselves already.

Deron Cherry is a former Chiefs All-Pro safety and a Jackson County resident.