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Video of young Chiefs fan Holden Armenta's football skills goes viral amid 'blackface' scandal

Nine-year-old Holden Armenta found himself in the middle of a controversy after a Deadspin reporter, Carron Phillips accused him of mocking Black people

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: A video has been making rounds on social media, reportedly showing the amazing football prowess of young Chiefs fan Holden Armenta, who gained national spotlight after wearing a headdress and black paint on his face during a Kansas City Chiefs game.

The 9-year-old Armenta found himself in the middle of a controversy as a Deadspin reporter, Carron Phillips accused him of mocking Black people after seeing a picture that showed his face painted black.

But soon several other pictures emerged capturing Armenta’s face painted in red and black — two of the Chiefs’ four team colors. He was also seen donning a Native American headdress during the Week 12 Kansas City Chiefs-Las Vegas Raiders game coverage.

Following the outcry, Fox News host Kyle Becker shared a video of Armenta showcasing his football skills on the field. In the video, the young Chiefs fan, wearing a red football costume, was seen tackling opponents to save crucial points for his team.

“It turns out: KC warpaint kid Holden Armenta can really ball. The Kansas City @Chiefs would be proud!” Becker wrote alongside the now-viral video.

Internet reacts to Armenta’s football skills

Becker’s post has garnered immense social media attention, with many users praising Armenta for his magnificent skills.

“A future Bill Bradley...a future Eagle!” one user said.

“Can't teach that, high speed, high impact safety play. Banger,” the second user praised.

“We call it WAR PAINT in Kansas City. Not offensive, or defensive, just a kid thinking damn, wish I was a warrior type,” the third user wrote.

“Cute but at the same time I struggle with little kids playing contact football- gulp,” the fourth user expressed while the fifth stated, “KC warpaint kid could legit take down most if not all of the woke idiots criticizing him.”

“@Chiefs should let lil Chief lead the team out of the tunnel Sunday. Would be a perfect way to say F U to Deadspin & Woke Culture. The fans would go insane. I’m a Cowboys fan, & I’d tune in just to witness that greatness. TV ratings would go bonkers. Don’t miss this opportunity,” another user said.

“Gotta admit as a former safety, I like how this kid plays ball. Solid instincts,” Becker also stated.

Holden Armenta’s mother blasts Deadspin reporter

Following Philips’ accusations, Armenta’s outraged mother, Shannon Armenta, came forward to defend her son while blasting the Deadspin reporter for accusing him of “doubling up” on racism against Black and Native communities.

Shannon shared numerous images of her son getting a warm reception at the game and suggested that Deadspin focused on a photo that hid the fact that half of her son’s face was painted red.

“This has nothing to do with the NFL,” she wrote, suggesting the photo was picked purely “to create division”. “He is Native American — just stop already,” she wrote of her son.

In fact, Holden’s grandfather, Raul Armenta, sits on the board of the Chumash Tribe in Santa Ynez, California, according to the 'Post Millennial'.

On the tribe website, Raul is listed as a "business committee member" who was initially elected to the board in the year 2016. “He looks forward to continuing the legacy of building a solid economic foundation for future generations of the Chumash tribe,” it reads.