Third grade Chiefs ‘superfan’ shares good luck routine before Super Bowl
4 February 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A super fan in Northeast Kansas is making sure his love for the Kansas City Chiefs remains permanent.
David Johnson, a lifelong Chiefs fan, has quite literally decided to wear his heart on his right sleeve. He says he’s been a fan through it all during his fandom, which inspired his Chiefs-themed tattoo sleeve.
“I’ve been through the years when [the Chiefs] were like 4-12, and now we’re going to Super Bowls back-to-back,” Johnson said.
The Topeka native has Chiefs legends, like Derek Johnson, tattooed on his right arm. Each image was engineered by local tattoo artist and fellow Topeka native, Jacob Schell.
Schell owns and operates ‘Absolute Tattoo’ shop, which recently opened a new space at West Ridge Mall in addition to its downtown location.
“[He] requested a Derek Thomas portrait,” Schell said. “And then from there we did some of their trophies, which was really sweet. We started with black and grey down low and then went up into color.”
Schell started the legendary sleeve back in May of 2023. He added the most recent ink, a colorful tribute to Kansas City’s 2023 Super Bowl LVII victory and a portrait of Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes in January.
The details on such portraits can take around eight hours and $800-$1,000 to complete. Schell says he typically blocks off a whole day for clients like Johnson who want that kind of art.
Luckily for Johnson, Schell’s specialized in intricate portrait tattoos for over 20 years.
“He pays attention to details,” Johnson said of Schell. “You can tell. He put the wrinkles into this jersey down here.”
Schell says doing portrait tattoos can be a stressful process, but being a Kansas City Chiefs’ fan himself, Johnson’s sleeve will go down as one of his all-time favorites.
“That’s why it was a privilege to be able to do Derek Thomas and Patrick Mahomes,” Schell said. “So I want to keep on representing and make them proud and represent them. And, go Chiefs.”
If the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII, Johnson plans to pay Schell another visit to add another image to his sleeve.
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.