Kansas City Chiefs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kansas City Chiefs |
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| Basic info | |||||||||||||
| Established | August 14, 1959 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri |
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| Headquartered | University of Kansas Health System Training Facility Kansas City, Missouri |
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| Colors | Red, gold, white |
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| Fight song | "Tomahawk chop chant" "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" |
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| Mascot | Warpaint (1963–1988, 2009–2020) K. C. Wolf (1989–present) |
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| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | Hunt family | ||||||||||||
| Chairman | Clark Hunt | ||||||||||||
| CEO | Clark Hunt | ||||||||||||
| President | Mark Donovan | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Brett Veach | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Andy Reid | ||||||||||||
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| Team history | |||||||||||||
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| Home fields | |||||||||||||
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| League / conference affiliations | |||||||||||||
American Football League (1960–1969)
National Football League (1970–present)
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| Championships | |||||||||||||
League championships: 5†
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Conference championships: 5
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Division championships: 17
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| Playoff appearances (27) | |||||||||||||
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The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team. They are based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
The team started in 1959 as a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). They began playing in 1960 as the Dallas Texans. The team was owned by Lamar Hunt, who also founded the AFL. In 1963, the team moved to Kansas City. They changed their name to the Chiefs. The Chiefs joined the NFL in 1970 after the AFL and NFL merged. The team is currently owned by the Hunt family. Clark Hunt, Lamar's son, is the chairman and CEO.
The Chiefs won three AFL championships: in 1962, 1966, and 1969. They were the second AFL team to win a Super Bowl. They won Super Bowl IV in 1969, just before the leagues fully merged. After many years without playoff success, the Chiefs became a very strong team again. This happened under coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive tackle Chris Jones. Since 2019, they have played in five Super Bowls and won three of them: LIV, LVII, and LVIII.
Contents
Team History
Starting in the American Football League
In 1959, Lamar Hunt wanted to start a professional football league. He tried to buy an NFL team and move it to Dallas, Texas, but the NFL said no. So, Hunt created the American Football League (AFL). He started his own team, the Dallas Texans, in 1960.
Hunt hired Hank Stram as the team's head coach. Stram was a lesser-known assistant coach at the time. The Texans shared the Cotton Bowl stadium with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Even though the Texans had good attendance, they got less attention than the Cowboys.
In their third season, 1962, the Texans had a great record of 11 wins and 3 losses. They played in their first AFL Championship Game against the Houston Oilers. The Texans won 20–17 in double overtime. This game was the longest in professional American football history at the time.
After that season, Lamar Hunt decided to move the team. Dallas couldn't support two professional football teams. He chose Kansas City, Missouri, because Mayor Harold Roe Bartle promised more ticket sales and a bigger stadium.
The team moved on May 22, 1963. On May 26, they were renamed the Kansas City Chiefs. The name "Chiefs" honored Mayor Bartle, whose nickname was "Chief." The team's name was not a direct reference to Native Americans.
The Chiefs became one of the best teams in the AFL. They had the most playoff appearances and AFL championships (three). Lamar Hunt played a big part in talks with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. These talks led to the AFL–NFL merger. They also agreed to play a championship game between the two leagues. Hunt called this game the "Super Bowl."
In 1966, the Chiefs had an 11–2–1 record. They beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFL Championship Game. This led them to play the NFL's Green Bay Packers in the first AFL–NFL World Championship Game. The Chiefs lost 35–10, but they earned respect.
In 1969, the Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders 17–7 in the AFL Championship Game. Quarterback Len Dawson returned from an injury to lead the team. The Chiefs then played the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. The Vikings were favored to win, but the Chiefs dominated, winning 23–7. Dawson was named the game's MVP. The next season, the AFL and NFL officially merged. The Chiefs joined the American Football Conference's West Division.
From 1960 to 1969, the Chiefs/Texans won 87 games. This was the most wins in the AFL's ten-year history.
Changes After Hank Stram
In 1970, the Chiefs missed the playoffs. In 1971, they had a 10–3–1 record and won their division. Coach Hank Stram thought this was his best team. They played the Miami Dolphins in a playoff game on Christmas Day. The Chiefs lost 27–24 in double overtime. This was the longest game in football history at 82 minutes and 40 seconds. It was also the last game at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium.
In 1972, the Chiefs moved to the new Arrowhead Stadium. Linebacker Willie Lanier and quarterback Len Dawson won the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1972 and 1973.
The Chiefs did not make the playoffs again for many years. Hank Stram was fired in 1974. Many of the team's best players left. From 1975 to 1988, the Chiefs struggled to win games.
In 1981, running back Joe Delaney rushed for 1,121 yards. He was named the AFC Rookie of the Year. The Chiefs finished 9–7. Sadly, Joe Delaney died in 1983 while trying to save children from drowning.
The Chiefs drafted quarterback Todd Blackledge in 1983. Other great quarterbacks like Jim Kelly and Dan Marino were also available. Blackledge didn't have a long career as a starter, while Kelly and Marino became Hall of Famers. The Chiefs had a strong defense in the 1980s.
John Mackovic became head coach in 1983. He led the Chiefs to their first playoff appearance in 15 years in 1986. They lost to the New York Jets. Mackovic was fired, and Frank Gansz coached for two seasons, winning only eight games.
Marty Schottenheimer's Time (1989–1998)
In 1988, Carl Peterson became the team's president and general manager. He hired Marty Schottenheimer as head coach. The Chiefs drafted defensive end Neil Smith and linebacker Derrick Thomas. Their strong defense helped the Chiefs reach the playoffs for six straight years.
Under Schottenheimer, the Chiefs often made the playoffs. They had a record of 101 wins, 58 losses, and 1 tie. In 1993, the Chiefs had a very successful season. They got quarterback Joe Montana and running back Marcus Allen, both Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs went 11–5. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers to reach the AFC Championship Game. They lost to the Buffalo Bills 30–13. The Chiefs' playoff win against the Oilers in 1994 was their last for 22 years.
In the 1995 playoffs, the 13–3 Chiefs lost to the Indianapolis Colts 10–7 at home. Their kicker missed three field goals, and the quarterback threw three interceptions. In 1997, the Chiefs had another 13–3 season. They lost to the Denver Broncos 14–10 in the playoffs. Coach Schottenheimer resigned after the 1998 season.
After Schottenheimer left, Gunther Cunningham coached for two seasons. Many key players left or were injured. Derrick Thomas was paralyzed in a car accident in 2000 and passed away weeks later. Cunningham was then fired.
Dick Vermeil's Years (2001–2005)
Dick Vermeil became the Chiefs' head coach in 2001. He had previously won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. The Chiefs traded for quarterback Trent Green and signed running back Priest Holmes. In Vermeil's first season, the team went 6–10. They improved to 8–8 in 2002.
In 2003, Kansas City started with nine wins in a row, a team record. They finished 13–3. Their offense was one of the best in the NFL. Priest Holmes set an NFL record with 27 rushing touchdowns. The Chiefs hosted the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs but lost 38–31 in a high-scoring game.
After a 7–9 record in 2004, the Chiefs finished 10–6 in 2005 but missed the playoffs. Running back Larry Johnson rushed for 1,750 yards. Coach Dick Vermeil announced his retirement after the season.
A Period of Decline
Herm Edwards became the new head coach in 2006. Quarterback Trent Green got a severe concussion early in the season. Backup Damon Huard led the Chiefs to a 5–3 record.
The Chiefs played a Thanksgiving Day game against the Denver Broncos and won. Owner Lamar Hunt passed away in December 2006. The Chiefs made the playoffs with a 9–7 record but lost to the Indianapolis Colts 23–8.
In 2007, Trent Green was traded. The team struggled with injuries and a 4–12 record. Tight end Tony Gonzalez broke the NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end.
The Chiefs had a very young team in 2008. They released or traded many veteran players. They finished with a franchise-worst 2–14 record. General manager Carl Peterson resigned. Scott Pioli was hired as the new general manager in 2009.
Herm Edwards was fired in 2009. Todd Haley became the new head coach. The team traded Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons. The Chiefs finished 4–12 in 2009.
In 2010, the Chiefs hired Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel as offensive and defensive coaches. The team won their first AFC West title since 2003, finishing 10–6. They lost their playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens.
Haley was fired in December 2011. Romeo Crennel became the interim head coach and then the full-time coach. The 2012 Chiefs had a 2–14 record, tying their worst ever. They earned the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
New Success with Travis Kelce (2013–2017)
After the 2012 season, the Chiefs hired Andy Reid as head coach and John Dorsey as general manager.
The Chiefs traded for quarterback Alex Smith. They drafted Eric Fisher with the first pick in the 2013 draft. They also drafted Travis Kelce in the third round.
In 2013, the Chiefs started 9–0. They finished 11–5 and made the playoffs. They led the Indianapolis Colts 38–10 in their playoff game but lost 45–44.
In 2015, the Chiefs started 1–5. But they won ten games in a row to finish 11–5. This was one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history. They became only the second team since the merger to make the playoffs after a 1–5 start.
The Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 30–0 in the playoffs. This was their first NFL playoff win in 23 seasons. It also ended an eight-game playoff losing streak. They then lost to the New England Patriots.
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In 2016, the Chiefs won the AFC West and earned the second seed in the playoffs. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 18–16.
The Chiefs won the AFC West again in 2017, their first time winning back-to-back division titles. They lost to the Tennessee Titans 22–21 in the Wild Card round. This extended their record for most consecutive home playoff losses to six. Alex Smith was traded after this season.
The Kelce–Mahomes Era (2017–Present)
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Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018. The Chiefs finished 12–4, winning the AFC West for the third year in a row. Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, both team records. He became only the second player in NFL history to reach 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a season. Mahomes was named the AP NFL MVP.
In the 2019 playoffs, the Chiefs beat the Indianapolis Colts 31–13. This was their first playoff win at Arrowhead Stadium in 25 years. They hosted the AFC Championship Game for the first time ever. They lost to the New England Patriots in overtime.
The Chiefs finished the 2019 season 12–4. They won the AFC West for the fourth straight year. They beat the Houston Texans 51–31 in the playoffs after being down 24–0. They then beat the Tennessee Titans 35–24 in the AFC Championship Game. This sent them to Super Bowl LIV.
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On February 2, 2020, the Chiefs played the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers led 20–10 in the fourth quarter. But Mahomes led a comeback, throwing two touchdowns. The Chiefs won 31–20. This was their first Super Bowl win in 50 years. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP.
In 2020, Mahomes signed a huge contract extension. The Chiefs won their fifth straight division title and finished 14–2. They beat the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. They reached Super Bowl LV but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9–31.
In 2021, the Chiefs won their sixth straight AFC West title. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and then the Buffalo Bills in a thrilling playoff game. They hosted the AFC Championship Game for the fourth year in a row but lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill in 2022. They still finished 14–3 and won their seventh straight AFC West title. They hosted their fifth straight AFC Championship Game, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20. In Super Bowl LVII, the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35. Mahomes won both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP awards. Coach Andy Reid won his second Super Bowl.
In 2023, the Chiefs won their eighth consecutive division title with an 11–6 record. In the playoffs, they beat the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills. They then beat the Baltimore Ravens 17–10 in the AFC Championship Game. This sent them to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII in overtime. This was their fourth Super Bowl title and their second in a row.
In 2024, the Chiefs won a team record 15 games. They beat the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. They became the first NFL team to appear in seven consecutive conference championships. They also became the first NFL team to appear in five Super Bowls in six years. They played the Philadelphia Eagles again in Super Bowl LIX but lost 40–22.
Championship Wins
The Chiefs have won four Super Bowl Championships and three AFL Championships. They won one AFL championship as the Dallas Texans and two as the Kansas City Chiefs.
Super Bowl Championships
| Year | Coach | Super Bowl | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | MVP | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Hank Stram | IV | Tulane Stadium | New Orleans, Louisiana | Minnesota Vikings | 23–7 | QB Len Dawson | 11–3 |
| 2019 | Andy Reid | LIV | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida | San Francisco 49ers | 31–20 | QB Patrick Mahomes | 12–4 |
| 2022 | LVII | State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Arizona | Philadelphia Eagles | 38–35 | 14–3 | ||
| 2023 | LVIII | Allegiant Stadium | Paradise, Nevada | San Francisco 49ers | 25–22 (OT) | 11–6 | ||
| Total Super Bowl championships won: | 4 | |||||||
American Football League Championships
| Year | Coach | Game | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Hank Stram | 1962 AFL Championship Game | Jeppesen Stadium | Houston, Texas | Houston Oilers | 20–17 | 12–3 |
| 1966 | 1966 AFL Championship Game | War Memorial Stadium | Buffalo, New York | Buffalo Bills | 31–7 | 12–2–1 | |
| 1969 | 1969 AFL Championship Game | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum | Oakland, California | Oakland Raiders | 17–7 | 12–3 | |
| Total AFL championships won: | 3 | ||||||
AFC Championships
| Year | Coach | Stadium | Location | Opponent | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Andy Reid | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Missouri | Tennessee Titans | 35–24 | 12–4 |
| 2020 | Buffalo Bills | 38–24 | 14–2 | |||
| 2022 | Cincinnati Bengals | 23–20 | 14–3 | |||
| 2023 | M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore, Maryland | Baltimore Ravens | 17–10 | 11–6 | |
| 2024 | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Missouri | Buffalo Bills | 32–29 | 15–2 | |
| Total AFC championships won: | 5 | |||||
Team Look: Logos and Uniforms
When the Texans started in 1960, their logo was the state of Texas with a star for Dallas. Lamar Hunt chose blue and orange for the uniforms, but another team picked those colors. So, Hunt chose red and gold, which are still the Chiefs' colors today.
The team's helmet used to have the state of Texas. It was replaced by an arrowhead design drawn by Lamar Hunt. The interlocking "KC" inside the arrowhead was inspired by the San Francisco 49ers' logo. From 1960 to 1973, the helmets had gray facemasks. In 1974, they changed to white facemasks.
The Chiefs' uniforms have stayed mostly the same. They have a red helmet and either red or white jerseys. The numbers and names are in the opposite color. White pants were used with both jerseys for many years. Since 2009, they sometimes wear white or red pants for away games. The Chiefs don't have an official alternate jersey.
In 2007, the Chiefs added a special patch to honor Lamar Hunt and the AFL. It has the AFL logo with Hunt's "LH" initials. This patch became a permanent part of their jerseys in 2008.
For some games in 2009, the Chiefs wore "throwback" uniforms. This celebrated the AFL's 50th anniversary.
In 2013, the Chiefs wore all-red uniforms (red jerseys with red pants) for the first time. This all-red look is now an official uniform combination. It's often used for prime-time home games.
Arrowhead Stadium: The Chiefs' Home
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Arrowhead Stadium has been the Chiefs' home since 1972. It can hold 76,416 fans, making it one of the largest stadiums in the NFL. The stadium was updated in 2010 with new luxury boxes and wider areas for fans.
Arrowhead Stadium is known for being one of the loudest stadiums for visiting teams. The fans' noise was once measured at 116 decibels. This is louder than a jet taking off! Sports Illustrated called Arrowhead the "toughest place to play" in 2005. The atmosphere outside the stadium on game day, with all the tailgating, is often compared to college football games.
On October 13, 2013, Chiefs fans set a Guinness World Records record for the loudest crowd in an outdoor stadium (137.5 dB). They broke this record again on September 29, 2014, reaching 142.2 decibels. This is like standing near a jet engine!
Since 2021, the stadium has been officially named GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Training and Practice
When the team was in Dallas, they held their first training camp in New Mexico. They later moved it to Southern Methodist University. From 1966 to 1971, the Chiefs practiced in Swope Park in Kansas City.
From 1992 to 2009, the Chiefs held their summer training camp in Wisconsin. In 2010, they moved their training camp to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. A special indoor field and offices were built for the team there.
During the regular season, the Chiefs practice at their own facility near Arrowhead Stadium. It has three outdoor fields and an indoor facility.
Team Rivalries
AFC West Rivals
- Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders: This is one of the NFL's most intense rivalries. It started when both teams were in the AFL. The Chiefs lead the regular season series 73–55–2.
- San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers: This is another historic division rivalry. In recent years, games have been exciting battles between Patrick Mahomes and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chiefs lead the series 69–58–1.
- Denver Broncos: The Chiefs lead this rivalry 72–56. They once had a streak of 16 straight wins against the Broncos.
Conference Rivalries
- Buffalo Bills: This rivalry began in 1960. The Bills and Chiefs have played many important playoff games. Since 2020, this rivalry has grown stronger as both teams often compete for the AFC title. Many compare the rivalry between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to the famous one between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The Bills lead the overall series 30–26–1, but the Chiefs lead the playoff series 5–2.
Past Rivalries
- Missouri Governor's Cup: St. Louis Cardinals/St. Louis Rams: When St. Louis had NFL teams, the Chiefs had a cross-state rivalry. A trophy was given to the winner of each game. This rivalry ended when the Rams moved back to Los Angeles in 2016.
Team Mascots and Cheerleaders
The Chiefs' first mascot was Warpaint, a pinto horse. Warpaint was the mascot from 1963 to 1988. A new Warpaint horse was used from 2009 to 2020. The Chiefs stopped using Warpaint in 2021 to move away from Native American imagery.
Since 1989, the team's mascot has been K. C. Wolf. He is a cartoon-like wolf mascot played by Dan Meers. K. C. Wolf was named after the Chiefs' "Wolfpack" fans from the old Municipal Stadium days. He is very popular and was the first NFL mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006.
The Chiefs have had cheerleaders since 1960. They were first called the Chiefettes. From 1986 to 1992, the squad included both men and women. Since 1993, they have been known as the Chiefs Cheerleaders. In 2020, a male cheerleader joined the team.
Players
Retired Numbers
| Kansas City Chiefs retired numbers | ||||
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Jan Stenerud | K | 1967–1979 | |
| 16 | Len Dawson | QB | 1962–1975 | |
| 18 | Emmitt Thomas | CB | 1966–1978 | |
| 28 | Abner Haynes | RB | 1960–1964 | |
| 33 | Stone Johnson 1 2 | RB | 1963 | |
| 36 | Mack Lee Hill 2 | RB | 1964–1965 | |
| 58 | Derrick Thomas 2 | LB | 1989–1999 | |
| 63 | Willie Lanier | LB | 1967–1977 | |
| 78 | Bobby Bell | LB | 1963–1974 | |
| 86 | Buck Buchanan | DT | 1963–1975 | |
| 1 Never on a Chiefs regular season roster. His number was retired after his death after an injury in a preseason game in 1963. 2 Number was posthumously retired. Names in bold spent entire playing career with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs. The number 37 has not been worn since the death of Joe Delaney. Number 58 was not issued after the death of Derrick Thomas until it was officially retired in 2009. The numbers 16 and 28 are the only numbers to have been worn by a single player (both Dawson and Haynes respectively). |
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Pro Football Hall of Fame Members
Twenty-five people who played or coached for the Chiefs are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thirteen of them spent most of their careers with the Chiefs. Ten Hall of Famers were part of the 1969 Super Bowl IV championship team. Derrick Thomas is the only Chief in the Hall of Fame who was inducted after his passing.
Chiefs Hall of Honor
The Chiefs Hall of Honor started in 1970. It honors players, coaches, and others who have contributed to the team. New members are usually added every year. To be inducted, a player must have been with the Chiefs for at least four seasons and been out of the NFL for four seasons. There are a few exceptions, like Joe Delaney and Derrick Thomas, who were inducted sooner after their passing.
| Chiefs Hall of Honor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inducted | No. | Player | Position | Tenure |
| 1970 | — | Lamar Hunt | Team founder/Owner | 1960–2006 |
| 1971 | 36 | Mack Lee Hill* | RB | 1964–1965 |
| 1972 | 75 | Jerry Mays | DT | 1961–1970 |
| 1973 | 84 | Fred Arbanas | TE | 1962–1970 |
| 1974 | 42 | Johnny Robinson | S | 1960–1971 |
| 1975 | 88 | Chris Burford | WR | 1960–1967 |
| 1976 | 55 | E. J. Holub | C/LB | 1961–1970 |
| 1977 | 77 | Jim Tyrer | T | 1961–1973 |
| 1978 | 21 | Mike Garrett | RB | 1966–1970 |
| 1979 | 16 | Len Dawson | QB | 1963–1975 |
| 1980 | 78 | Bobby Bell | LB | 1963–1974 |
| 1981 | 86 | Buck Buchanan | DT | 1963–1975 |
| 1982 | 89 | Otis Taylor | WR | 1965–1975 |
| 1983 | No induction | |||
| 1984 | 71 | Ed Budde | G | 1963–1976 |
| 1985 | 63 | Willie Lanier | LB | 1967–1977 |
| 1986 | 18 | Emmitt Thomas | CB | 1966–1978 |
| 1987 | — | Hank Stram | Coach | 1960–1974 |
| 1988 | 44 | Jerrel Wilson | P | 1963–1977 |
| 1989 | 14 | Ed Podolak | RB | 1969–1977 |
| 1990 | 51 | Jim Lynch | LB | 1967–1977 |
| 1991 | 28 | Abner Haynes | RB | 1960–1964 |
| 1992 | 3 | Jan Stenerud | K | 1967–1979 |
| 1993 | 69 | Sherrill Headrick | LB | 1960–1967 |
| 1994 | 58 | Jack Rudnay | C | 1969–1982 |
| 1995 | 32 | Curtis McClinton | RB | 1962–1969 |
| 1996 | 20 | Deron Cherry | S | 1981–1991 |
| 1997 | 73 | Dave Hill | T | 1963–1974 |
| 1998 | 67 | Art Still | DE | 1978–1987 |
| 1999 | 34 | Lloyd Burruss | S | 1981–1991 |
| 2000 | 35 | Christian Okoye | RB | 1987–1992 |
| 2001 | 58 | Derrick Thomas* | LB | 1989–1999 |
| 2002 | 76 | John Alt | T | 1984–1996 |
| 2003 | 59 | Gary Spani | LB | 1978–1986 |
| 2004 | 37 | Joe Delaney* | RB | 1981–1982 |
| 2005 | — | Jack Steadman | President/GM | 1960–1989 |
| 2006 | 90 | Neil Smith | DE | 1988–1996 |
| 2007 | 29 | Albert Lewis | CB | 1983–1993 |
| 2008 | 61 | Curley Culp | DT | 1968–1974 |
| 2009 | 8 | Nick Lowery | K | 1980–1993 |
| 2010 | — | Marty Schottenheimer | Coach | 1989–1998 |
| 2011 | 31 | Kevin Ross | CB | 1984–1993, 1997 |
| 2012 | 68 | Will Shields | G | 1993–2006 |
| 2013 | 26 | Gary Barbaro | S | 1976–1982 |
| 2014 | 31 | Priest Holmes | RB | 2001–2007 |
| 2015 | 24 | Gary Green | CB | 1977–1983 |
| 2016 | 49 | Tony Richardson | FB | 1995–2005 |
| 2017 | 88 | Carlos Carson | WR | 1980–1989 |
| 2018 | 88 | Tony Gonzalez | TE | 1997–2008 |
| 2019 | 54 | Brian Waters | G | 2000–2010 |
| 2020 | No induction | |||
| 2021 | 61 | Tim Grunhard | C | 1990–2000 |
| 2022 | 38 | Kimble Anders | FB | 1991–2000 |
| 2023 | 82 | Dante Hall | WR† | 2000–2006 |
| 2024 | 91 | Tamba Hali | DE/LB | 2006–2017 |
| 2025 | 63 | Bill Maas | DE/DT | 1984–1992 |
*Posthumous induction
†Hall's primary position was wide receiver and is listed in the Chiefs Hall of Honor as a receiver. However, he was inducted because of his accomplishments as a return specialist.
Team Records and Awards
- Patrick Mahomes holds the NFL record for career quarterback rating.
- Derrick Thomas holds the record for most sacks in a single game (7).
- Travis Kelce holds the record for most career receptions in the playoffs.
- Tony Gonzalez, who played most of his career with the Chiefs, is the all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions for tight ends.
Major NFL Awards Won by Chiefs Players
- NFL MVP:
- 2018: Patrick Mahomes, QB
- 2022: Patrick Mahomes, QB
- Defensive Rookie of the Year:
- 1984: Bill Maas, DT
- 1989: Derrick Thomas, LB
- 1992: Dale Carter, CB
- 2015: Marcus Peters, CB
- Offensive Player of the Year:
- 2002: Priest Holmes, RB
- 2018: Patrick Mahomes, QB
- Super Bowl MVP:
- 1969: Len Dawson, QB (IV)
- 2019: Patrick Mahomes, QB (LIV)
- 2022: Patrick Mahomes, QB (LVII)
- 2023: Patrick Mahomes, QB (LVIII)
- Walter Payton Man of the Year Award:
- 1972: Willie Lanier, LB
- 1973: Len Dawson, QB
- 1993: Derrick Thomas, LB
- 2003: Will Shields, G
- 2009: Brian Waters, G
- Comeback Player of the Year:
- 2015: Eric Berry, S
Head Coaches
Thirteen head coaches have led the Texans/Chiefs team since 1960. Hank Stram was the first coach and led the Chiefs to three AFL championships and two Super Bowl appearances. He was the longest-serving coach, from 1960 to 1974.
Marty Schottenheimer coached from 1989 to 1998. He led the team to seven playoff appearances. Dick Vermeil coached the team to a great 9–0 start in 2003. Hank Stram, Marv Levy, and Dick Vermeil are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Herm Edwards coached from 2006 to 2008. Todd Haley coached from 2009 to 2011, winning a division title in 2010. Romeo Crennel was the head coach in 2012.
On January 5, 2013, the Chiefs hired Andy Reid as their new head coach. Under Reid, the Chiefs have had winning seasons in 10 of his 11 years. They have won their division six times. They have also made two consecutive Super Bowl appearances twice, winning three Super Bowls. In 2023, Andy Reid tied Hank Stram for the most regular season wins in Chiefs history with 124 victories.
Team Ownership and Management
The team was founded in 1959 by Lamar Hunt. He owned the team until he passed away in 2006. The Hunt family still owns the team. Clark Hunt, Lamar's son, is the CEO and Chairman of the Board. He represents the team at all NFL owner meetings. In 2024, the team was valued at over $4.85 billion.
Lamar Hunt was the team's president from 1960 to 1976. The AFC Championship trophy is named after him because of his contributions to the NFL. Carl Peterson became president in 1988 and resigned in 2008. Scott Pioli was hired as general manager in 2009.
Pioli was replaced by John Dorsey in 2013. In 2017, Brett Veach became the new general manager.
Media Coverage
Kansas City radio station KFNZ-FM (96.5) is the main station for The Chiefs Football Radio Network. This network broadcasts games across several states.
Chiefs games are shown on CBS or Fox in major cities like Kansas City, Wichita, and Omaha.
The Chiefs have their own production company called 65 Toss Power Trap Productions. It's named after a famous play from their Super Bowl IV win. In 2024, they started another company, "Foolish Club Studios," named after the AFL founders. This company helped make a Christmas movie called Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
Team Culture
Fan Base
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The Chiefs have a very dedicated fan base. Kansas City is one of the smaller cities with an NFL team, but the Chiefs have had the second-highest attendance in the league over the last ten years. They often sell out their games. The team has an official fan club called Chiefs Kingdom.
Before home games, during "The Star-Spangled Banner," many Chiefs fans yell "CHIEFS!" at the end. This can also be heard at away games. After the September 11, 2001, attacks, fans stopped this tradition for the rest of that season to show respect.
In the past, fans would chant to the song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)". This song is now used by the team after Travis Kelce shouted the chorus during Super Bowl celebrations.
Famous Chiefs fans include Brad Pitt, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Henry Cavill, Taylor Swift, and Eric Stonestreet.
Arrowhead Stadium holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor stadium. This was set on September 29, 2014, when the crowd reached 142.2 decibels.
Global Fan Outreach
The NFL started a program in 2021 to help teams market themselves internationally. The Chiefs were chosen to market in Germany. In 2023, they also got permission to reach fans in Austria and Switzerland.
The Chiefs have played regular season games in London (2015), Mexico City (2019), and Berlin (2023). They have also played preseason games in Berlin, Tokyo, and Monterrey, Mexico. They are the first NFL team to win games in four different countries.
The Chiefs have fans all over the world. There is a Twitter account for Chiefs fans in the UK that is recognized by the team.
Tony DiPardo and the Band
For many years, trumpet player Tony DiPardo and The T.D. Pack Band played live music at every Chiefs home game. The band was known as The Zing Band at Municipal Stadium. Tony DiPardo was even given a Super Bowl ring by coach Hank Stram in 1969. The band stopped performing at the stadium in 2009 due to renovations.
Tony DiPardo passed away in 2011 at age 98.
See also
In Spanish: Kansas City Chiefs para niños
- List of Kansas City Chiefs seasons
- Sports in the Kansas City metropolitan area
