Mathieu: Chiefs fan base 'might be one of the most toxic' in sports

Some Kansas City Chiefs players apparently aren't happy with fans' reactions to the team's struggles this season.

Kansas City All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu and linebacker Anthony Hitchens both posted comments on an Instagram post from a Chiefs fan account expressing disappointment at criticisms leveled at the team in recent weeks.

"This might be one of the most toxic fan bases in all of sports," Mathieu wrote.

Hitchens pointed out what Kansas City, the reigning back-to-back AFC champion, has achieved in recent years.

"All we did was go to three AFC (championship) games and two Super Bowls and one (Super Bowl) win ... in my first three years here so far," he wrote. "Y'all fans will never be satisfied, it's sad!"

The Chiefs dropped to 3-4 in last week's 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans, the worst defeat of the Patrick Mahomes era. Kansas City entered the 2021 campaign as the AFC favorite after winning at least 12 games in each of the last three seasons and making two consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

The post that prompted Mathieu's and Hitchens' reactions polled fans on moves made by Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, including signing Hitchens to a five-year, $45-million extension in 2018.

Mathieu apologized for his comments Saturday.

"I shouldn't have used that choice of words," he said, according to Aaron Ladd of KSHB 41 News.

He added: "This game means a lot to me ... Certain comments can get under my skin ... I'm all-in on Kansas City."