Meet Matthew Black of Kansas City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Black.

Hi Matthew , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Matt Black, and most people know me as Almost Andy Reid — the Kansas City performer who accidentally became one of the most recognizable faces in Chiefs Kingdom.

I moved to Kansas City in 1982, long before the championship era. I grew up a loyal Chiefs fan through every high and low, becoming part of the city’s heartbeat long before the dynasty took shape. Off the field, I built a life as a professional opera singer, performing with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and also as a VP of Sales in the natural products industry for a local Kansas City Company. Performance and communication have always been in my DNA.

The Almost Andy story didn’t begin with a plan. It began with a Halloween ball my wife had purchased tickets for and I needed a costume. In 2018, I shaved my goatee and left the mustache. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see myself — I saw Andy Reid. I threw on a Chiefs jacket, grabbed a headset, and went to a Halloween event. People lined up for photos. They asked for autographs. They treated me like the real coach. That night, Almost Andy Reid was born.

In 2019, I entered the official Andy Reid look‑alike contest at Chiefs Training Camp — and won. From that moment, the character took off. Fans stopped me in grocery stores. Tailgaters shouted for selfies. Kids asked me to call plays. Production crews mistook me for the real coach. I studied Andy’s walk, posture, mannerisms, and even the mustache maintenance routine until the resemblance became uncanny.

During the pandemic, I leaned into the character online. My TikTok exploded, eventually surpassing 550,000 followers, with Red Friday hype videos, Victory Monday dances, and comedic skits that spread across Chiefs Kingdom and beyond. National media took notice — FOX affiliates, KMBC, KCTV5, The Guardian, The Pitch, and KSHB 41 all featured the story. I became a recognizable face not just in Kansas City, but across the country.

Behind the humor is a heart for Kansas City. I used my platform to support Ronald McDonald House Charities, a cause deeply personal to my family as we stayed there when my sister was receiving her cancer treatments as a child. I volunteered at Red Friday events where they raise millions for families in need. I also promoted local businesses, nonprofits, and community events — always careful to represent the Chiefs organization respectfully.

When the Chiefs made their Super Bowl runs, the popularity of Almost Andy skyrocketed. I drove through a blizzard to Phoenix for Super Bowl LVII, arriving at 1:30 AM, and ended up on The Pat McAfee Show because staff thought I was the real coach. I launched Almost Andy Reid LLC, became a top creator on Cameo, and continued balancing my impersonation career with my full‑time job.

Today, I’m more than a look‑alike. I’m a Kansas City personality, a performer, a creator, a community supporter, and try to be a symbol of the joy and humor that define Chiefs Kingdom. I appear at charity events, NFL celebrations, media interviews, Starlight Theatre performances, and KC traditions — always bringing the same message:

Nationally, I have appeared on First Things First, ESPN Sports Center, NFL Radio, Super Bowl Intro, Thursday Night Football on Prime, NFL Instagram, Ben Maller Show, and lots of national podcasts and Sports talk shows.

Make people laugh. Bring joy. Represent Kansas City. And never embarrass the Chiefs.

There’s only one Andy Reid.But there’s also only one Almost Andy Reid — a man who turned a Halloween costume into a Kansas City phenomenon, and in the process, became part of the fabric of the city he loves.

If you want, I can also craft:

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although the journey of Almost Andy Reid has been filled with joy, humor, and unforgettable moments, it has also come with real challenges that shaped the experience.

One of the biggest obstacles has been constantly being mistaken for Andy Reid. It’s flattering, but it also creates pressure — people expect me to act like him, talk like him, and stay in character even when I’m just trying to live my everyday life. Half the time, even when I tell people I’m not him, they still don’t believe me. Managing that identity confusion has been a unique challenge.

Another major challenge has been balancing three full careers at once. I’m not just Almost Andy. I’m a full‑time sales executive, a former opera singer, a father, and a content creator with hundreds of thousands of followers. Keeping all of those roles moving at the same time while maintaining the character has required discipline, time management, and a lot of late nights.

There’s also the responsibility of protecting the reputation of the Kansas City Chiefs and Coach Reid. I’ve always been careful to stay respectful, avoid controversial situations, and make sure my humor never crosses a line. Representing someone so beloved comes with weight, and I take that seriously.

When my videos went viral, I faced the challenge of managing sudden public attention. Overnight, I went from a Halloween costume to national media coverage. That kind of visibility is exciting, but it also means dealing with expectations, requests, and the pressure to constantly create new content that lives up to what people want.

Another obstacle has been navigating the gray area of impersonation — deciding which events to accept, which to decline, and how to avoid confusion or misrepresentation. I’ve had to learn where the boundaries are and how to operate within them while still entertaining people.

Finally, there’s the ongoing challenge of keeping the character fresh and evolving. Chiefs Kingdom expects energy, creativity, and new ideas. Staying relevant during the off‑season, creating content year‑round, and maintaining momentum is a constant creative challenge.

Coach has been slimming down, so I have had to go on a diet and put off the cheesburgers for a while instead of eating avocados and a healthier diet. Down 40lbs so far with plenty more to go. lol

These obstacles have shaped the journey and made the story of Almost Andy Reid more meaningful. They’ve pushed me to grow, adapt, and stay grounded while embracing everything this unexpected adventure has brought into my life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Long before Almost Andy Reid ever existed, my life was shaped by music. Opera was my first stage, my first audience, and the place where I learned how to become a performer. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of appearing in more than 40 operas, singing everything from major leading roles to ensemble and chorus work. Each production taught me something different — discipline, storytelling, vocal endurance, and the ability to transform into someone else night after night.

One of the greatest blessings of my life has been the opportunity to perform with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Every season, stepping into that company feels like coming home. The level of artistry, the professionalism, and the passion inside that organization are world‑class. Being part of their productions has shaped me not only as a singer, but as a person.

And then there’s the venue — the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Singing in that hall is unlike anything else. It’s one of the most beautiful performing arts centers in the world, and every time I walk onto that stage, I’m reminded of how lucky I am. The acoustics, the architecture, the energy of the audience — it’s a place that elevates every note and every moment. Performing there is a gift I never take for granted.

Opera gave me my foundation. It taught me how to command a room, how to listen, how to collaborate, and how to make people feel something. Those skills became the backbone of everything I do today — whether I’m on stage, on camera, or out in the community. The confidence, the timing, the presence — all of it started in the opera house.

Opera gave me my first audience. Kansas City gave me my biggest one. And both continue to shape who I am as a performer today.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me, above anything else, is my family. Everything I do — whether it’s performing, creating, working, or entertaining — comes back to them. My greatest joy in life is my beautiful wife, who has supported every twist and turn of this wild journey. She’s the steady voice, the calm center, and the person who reminds me who I am underneath the mustache and headset.

I’m also blessed with two amazing children who keep me grounded, laughing, and inspired. They’ve grown up watching their dad step into all kinds of roles — opera singer, sales executive, Almost Andy Reid — and they’re the reason I try to bring joy into the world. Their pride means more to me than any viral video or TV appearance ever could.

And then there’s Gracie, our little dog, who thinks she runs the entire household. She’s small, but she’s a big part of our family story — always excited, always loyal, always reminding us to slow down and enjoy the moment.

At the end of the day, family is the foundation of everything I am. They’re the reason I work hard, the reason I perform, and the reason I stay grateful for every opportunity. No matter how big the stage gets, home is what matters most.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostandyreid/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlmostAndyReidKC
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@almostandyreid
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@almostandyreid
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-357110023-481391501
• Other: https://www.cameo.com/almostandyreid