KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: X-FACTOR

Ty Rowton has been a fan since he was in the womb. Once in the world he would paint himself red and yellow so his dad could see him on TV. One day he had an epiphany in the shower, where the Chief Gods spoke to him. They told him he was no longer painted boy, he was now X-Factor.

How did you fall in love with your team? What is your first memory around your NFL team?

I fell in love with my Chiefs while in my mom's womb. I could hear my family especially my dad screaming "Chiefs". My first memories were watching my Chiefs with dad and all his friends.

How, when and why did you start dressing up, collecting, or becoming more than a regular ordinary fan?

When I started going to the games in the early 90's full-time, it was the first time I saw the Chiefs without my dad. Though he was six hours away watching at home it wasn't the same as I had watched every game with him from the age of three months up until I was 14 years old.

I had seen Bills fans wearing nothing but shorts in snowstorm games against Chiefs. Five guys had B-I-L-L-S painted on their chests, and they kept getting on TV that game. I thought that I could do that too and get on TV so my dad could see me, and that could help correct the loss of not having him there. I painted my body half red and half yellow with face paint, wearing just Chiefs shorts and a yellow wig. But being in the upper deck with season tickets, I never ended up on TV, but I found a new calling. Because every time I stood up and waved my arms up and down from the front row of the upper deck, the whole section would rise up and scream! I found the power in dressing differently. Having fans, especially kids smile, laugh, and want pictures with me validated my purpose!

What is your favorite NFL moment or team memory?

I have a couple. When I got inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and when I was honored during halftime at the fifty-yard line at a Chiefs game, and given my plaque.

The second moment happened twice. I was the one who worked with Chiefs to bring a renowned world record organization to Arrowhead for the loudest crowd roar. It was my idea initially to do this. I got friends involved and eventually the Chiefs organization too. The most amazing feeling was on Oct. 13th, 2013 and then again on Sept. 29th, 2014 when many months of interviews with media and getting things prepared all came true when the world record flashed on the Jumbotron at Arrowhead, and seeing grown men and women cry uncontrollably because of what that meant.

What distinguishes you from other fans of your team?

My passion, the whole package from the costume, to the vehicles, to the house. But the biggest thing is how I impact the community through my charity organization – KC superfans.

By being able to use my platform to make our communities better and to pass the torch to future generations of Chiefs fans in order to show what it truly means to be a part of our Chiefs Family. Plus my relationship with other superfans on my team, leading them properly and then my relationship with opposing fans and showing the world that you can be best friends with people that root for other teams.

How did you develop your costume / get your nickname / develop your superfan persona?

I was Spiderman, red and yellow for a famous wide receiver when he played for us. He hated his Bad Moon A-rising name, so he changed to Spiderman when he came here 'cause he webbed every ball. After he left I vowed to come up with a character that could never be traded, cut, or retired.

I was actually in the shower on a Sunday afternoon after a weekend of no sleep and straight partying when X-Factor was born. I had left my buddies house to shower and I had a vision where Chiefs gods spoke to me. They said I was no longer Painted boy, no longer Spiderman, that I was now X-Factor, which stood for external factors - such as weather elements, injuries, coaching, etc. I now represented the greatest X-Factor in the whole world, all 80,000 screaming Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium and many more millions at home. I ran out of the shower, threw on some clothes, and ran back to my friend's house.

About 50 of them were hanging out, drinking and watching car racing. I jumped in front of the TV and told everyone about what had just happened. In return I got 50 "What the heck […]?" responses. Since then, everyone talks about this vision and that fateful day all of it happened and they say, "Wow look at Ty and X-Factor now!"

What is your favorite keepsake or piece of memorabilia?

My HOF plaque and World Record plaques. Plus, a plaque that I got for setting an unofficial world record for watching seventy straight hours of football. Also, all the pictures I have with Chiefs players throughout the years, personally autographed to me.

When did you start collecting / building your fan cave?

I've been collecting from when I was a kid, but I have donated most of it throughout years to various charities. It means more to me to give my stuff to others that are less fortunate and to see the enjoyment that it brings to them.

What is your game day ritual? How do you prefer to watch the game?

I'm at the stadium no later than 5 a.m. for a noon game. I never sleep the night before, as I'm out with fellow Chiefs fans all day and night on Saturday. Then on game day, I visit thousands of tailgates and get everyone pumped up for that day's game. Nothing beats watching games live. I have not missed a game at Arrowhead since '92 and have been to 89 away games, to all but two opposing teams' stadiums.

How does it feel to be known by your friends and peers as a die-hard fan?

It means the world. People look to you as a role model and an inspiration; it sets a standard that fans are judged by. It's a huge opportunity to represent and be the face for my organization and do it in a way I can be proud of. My friends get a bigger kick out of everything that happens – media, attention, etc. I love hearing their excitement and stories of what it means to know me.

What is the best thing about your team?

I truly believe we are the classiest organization in the NFL. Our late owner established a culture of family. The organization has always been extremely involved in the community with charities, etc., and encourages the players to do charity work and to form their own charities also. That's why so many players have been nominated for Man of the Year. Our fans have embraced this family concept. We do so much as fans together whether it's charity work or simply helping each other. My charity organization sets the bar for this!!! On top of that, the team always sells out our stadium, fans stick with them through thick and thin, and they don't have near as many "bandwagoning fans."

The tailgating experience at Arrowhead is also truly the best and most unique in the NFL. This is echoed by superfans of other teams, just how amazing our Family is!

All images by Shaniqwa Jarvis.

See more of the Hall of Fandom here.

This content was paid for by the advertising partner and created in collaboration with VICE digital services, independently from the VICE Sports editorial staff.