Ollie Watkins has quickly discovered that Kansas City is not the place to be seen in Dallas Cowboys gear.
England have been warmly welcomed at their World Cup base.
Watkins still managed to test the limits of local hospitality.
Watkins was asked about American sports while England continued their World Cup stay in Kansas City, and his answer served as a reminder that NFL loyalties run deep in certain parts of the country.
"I brought a Dallas Cowboys jersey into Kansas the other day. I was with my family and a guy said to me, 'You can't wear that around here.' So, yeah, I won't be wearing that again."
Kansas City is firmly Chiefs territory, and the Cowboys are not just any other team.
The franchises have more than a passing connection. The Chiefs began life as the Dallas Texans before moving to Kansas City in 1963. The Cowboys had already established themselves as the team of Texas, so the old turf battle still gives the matchup an extra edge.
Last season, the Cowboys edged the Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving, adding another chapter to a rivalry that is often overlooked but still carries history in both cities.
For Watkins, it was an innocent mistake. For Chiefs fans, it was a chance to remind a visiting England striker about the local sporting landscape.
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
This World Cup has seen several teams embrace local sports culture to connect with their temporary homes, and that is the lesson England can use.
Algeria have become fan favorites in Lawrence, with "Rock Chalk Algeria" echoing their ties to the University of Kansas. Scotland's Tartan Army turned a Red Sox game at Fenway Park into a celebration of Scottish culture, complete with bagpipes and kilts.
England have already been warmly received in Kansas City. The squad have settled in at Swope Soccer Village, where young local players and community groups have been invited to training sessions.
If England want to blend in a bit more, they might consider swapping Cowboys jerseys for Chiefs colors. Patrick Mahomes' side have become the defining NFL team of the 2020s, winning Super Bowls LIV, LVII and LVIII.
Watkins will likely remember the lesson. In Kansas City, the red jersey fits in, as long as it is the right shade.
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