NFL® Superfan 'ChiefsAholic' Sentenced to 17.5 Years — Here's What He Did
Xaviar Babudar booking photo. Photo courtesy of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department.
For Kansas City Chiefs® fans, Xaviar Babudar, also known as "ChiefsAholic," was once a lively presence in the stands, often seen decked out in a gray wolf suit to support his team. But behind the fandom lay a darker reality that led to a dramatic fall from grace. Babudar has been sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for committing multiple bank robberies. How did a beloved superfan become one of the most notorious criminals in recent sports history?
The Double Life of 'ChiefsAholic'
Babudar's fame as a die-hard Chiefs supporter masked his secret life as a serial bank robber. He financed his travel to games and his lavish fan persona through a string of heists. The scheme unraveled in December 2022, when he was arrested after robbing a bank in Bixby, Oklahoma. The investigation that followed uncovered an unsettling pattern of similar crimes.
The Heists and Their Fallout
In February 2024, Babudar entered a plea deal, admitting to stealing more than $800,000 in 11 robberies across seven states. He also confessed to laundering the stolen funds through casinos. As part of the deal, Babudar pleaded guilty to one count each of bank robbery, money laundering, and transporting stolen property. Using his stolen funds, he not only supported his football-related travels, but also maintained a facade of financial stability. Despite his flashy appearances at games, his criminal activities cast a shadow over the community of Chiefs fans who once celebrated him.
Sentencing and the Road Ahead
In court, Babudar expressed remorse for his actions, attributing them to a combination of factors, including his gambling addiction, a difficult childhood marked by trauma, and years of chronic homelessness.
Prosecutor Patrick Daly challenged Babudar's claim of struggling with a gambling addiction, asserting that his actions were driven by something deeper. "It's not an addiction to gambling. It's not an addiction to the Chiefs," Daly stated, as reported by ESPN. "It's an addiction to fame."
The severity of his crimes and their premeditated nature led to a lengthy sentence of 17.5 years in federal prison. The judge emphasized the need for accountability and justice for the victims impacted by his crimes. Babudar has been ordered to pay $532,455 in restitution and must pay $10.8 million to the Bixby bank teller he threatened with a gun.
The Lingering Trauma of Babudar's Crimes
Xaviar Babudar's robberies left a lasting emotional impact on the employees who experienced his violent crimes. Some victims, reflecting on a November 2022 robbery, recounted how Babudar jumped over the counter with a gun, issuing threats that left them so shaken they quit their jobs without having another lined up. Some admitted the fear from that day still haunts them every morning before work.
Another employee shared that Babudar targeted her branch twice in 2022, causing immense stress for the staff. A coworker described physical marks from a gun, including bruises and an imprint that lingered for days, while another admitted to ongoing nightmares about being robbed. Although Babudar expressed remorse and acknowledged the shame of his actions, the deep psychological scars he caused persist for his victims.
Chiefs Fans React
The sentencing has elicited mixed reactions from Chiefs fans and the broader NFL® community. While many are shocked and disappointed by Babudar's double life, others emphasize the importance of not letting his actions tarnish the reputation of the team or its fan base.
Babudar's story is a cautionary lesson about the perils of chasing fame and fortune at any cost. As Chiefs fans move forward, they'll cheer on their team without the familiar sight of the superfan in the wolf suit, a symbol now overshadowed by the dark legacy of his actions.
References: Xaviar Babudar, aka ChiefsAholic, gets 17 years for robberies | Lengthy federal prison sentence handed down for Kansas City Chiefs superfan 'ChiefsAholic' | What we know about the Chiefsaholic bank robbery case
