The Curious Case of ChiefsAholic: From Superfan to Bank Robber
Everyone loves a dedicated sports fan, but what happens when that fan’s passion crosses a dangerous line? Meet Xavier Babudar, better known as “ChiefsAholic,” a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs supporter whose love for the team took a criminal turn.
Last Thursday, as the Chiefs geared up for their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, Babudar received his sentence from a federal judge – a staggering 17 1/2 years in prison for a string of 11 bank robberies across seven states, totaling nearly $850,000 in stolen funds. The irony of his sentencing coming on game day adds a surreal twist to his story.
What sets Babudar apart from other fans is his social media stardom. Operating under the @ChiefsAholic moniker, he amassed a following by attending games dressed as a wolf in Chiefs attire. His enthusiastic support for the team made him a recognizable figure online, though he always played second fiddle to more mainstream fans like Taylor Swift, who gained attention for dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
But Babudar’s online persona belied a darker reality. His bank robbery spree funded his extravagant lifestyle, allowing him to travel the country to attend Chiefs games and cultivate a large fan base. U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore aptly summarized the situation, stating, “Babudar’s robbery spree bankrolled the expensive tickets and travel across the country to attend Kansas City Chiefs games while he cultivated a large fan base online. However, the bank and credit union employees whom he terrorized at gunpoint suffered the brunt of his true nature.”
Despite the hefty sentence, the majority of the stolen money remains unaccounted for. The court has ordered Babudar to pay over $530,000 in restitution and forfeit any assets used to launder the money, including an autographed painting of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovered by the FBI. The chances of him repaying such a sum seem slim, especially considering he still owes $10.8 million to an Oklahoma bank teller he assaulted during a robbery.
Babudar’s criminal activities spanned multiple states, with two robberies committed after he cut off his ankle monitor while out on bond. His brazen acts included robbing the same bank in Clive, Iowa, twice, despite it changing names between incidents. His initial arrest in 2022 netted him a bag of cash totaling $289,750, along with betting slips and deposit letters showcasing his financial dealings.
Prior to the 2022 season, Babudar made successful bets on the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl and Mahomes being named MVP, pocketing $100,000 from a casino. His luck ran out in July 2023 when he was apprehended in Sacramento, California, bringing an end to his criminal escapades.
The tale of ChiefsAholic serves as a cautionary reminder of how passion, when taken to extremes, can lead down a dangerous path. While his story may have captivated social media, it’s the real-world consequences of his actions that paint a darker picture of obsession gone awry.
