Chiefs coach sticks up for fans, even after Matt Cassel incident

Kansas City Coach Romeo Crennel called Chiefs fans some of the best in the NFL, days they were accused of cheering after quarterback Matt Cassel was injured during Sunday’s 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

“Historically, the Chiefs fans are some of the best fans in the NFL. You can go back and you can look at that and you know that’s the case,” Crennel said. “I’ve come here and played here as an opposing team, and I can verify that. They’re supportive of their team.”

Chiefs fans have come under national scrutiny after being called out by a number of people, particularly Kansas City offensive lineman Eric Winston in an angry postgame interview Sunday that has since gone viral. Some fans cheered while Cassel remained prone on the ground after a hit by Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata, although it wasn’t clear they were cheering the injury.

“I think the majority of the Chiefs’ fans are not going to cheer a player getting hurt. I think the majority of Chiefs fans support the Chiefs. They want the Chiefs to win,” said Crennel, whose team is 1-4 after starting the season with high expectations. “Are they frustrated? Yes, they’re frustrated, just like we’re frustrated.”

With the exception of a 2010 campaign in which he threw for 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, Cassel has not played particularly well in his four years as the Chiefs’ starter. This year he has five touchdowns and nine interceptions, including two picks in the Baltimore game.

Fans have been calling for his job since the beginning of the season, with some going as far as hiring a airplane to fly a banner over the stadium urging that Cassel be benched.

Looks like those fans will be getting their wish, at least for now. Cassel, who was determined to have sustained a concussion on the play, has not been cleared this week by the team’s medical staff, leaving backup Brady Quinn to take snaps with the first team in practice.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.