Kansas City Chiefs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kansas City Chiefs |
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Current season |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Basic info | |||||||||||||
| Established | August 14, 1959 | ||||||||||||
| Colors | Red, gold, white |
||||||||||||
| Mascot | Warpaint (1963–1988, 2009–2020) K. C. Wolf (1989–present) |
||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | Hunt family | ||||||||||||
| Chairman | Clark Hunt | ||||||||||||
| CEO | Clark Hunt | ||||||||||||
| President | Mark Donovan | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Brett Veach | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Andy Reid | ||||||||||||
| Nicknames | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Team history | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Home fields | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| League / conference affiliations | |||||||||||||
American Football League (1960–1969)
National Football League (1970–present)
|
|||||||||||||
| Championships | |||||||||||||
League championships: 5†
|
|||||||||||||
Conference championships: 5
|
|||||||||||||
Division championships: 17
|
|||||||||||||
| Playoff appearances (27) | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
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's owner was 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. This happened because of the AFL–NFL merger. The team is now worth over US$4.85 billion. After Lamar Hunt passed away in 2006, his family became the owners. His son, Clark Hunt, has been the chairman and CEO since 2006. He makes the main decisions for the team.
The Chiefs won three AFL championships. These were in 1962, 1966, and 1969. They were the second AFL team to win a Super Bowl. They beat an NFL team in Super Bowl IV. This was just before the leagues fully merged. For many years, the Chiefs struggled in the playoffs. But recently, they have become very successful.
Under head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive tackle Chris Jones, the Chiefs have been amazing. They have played in five Super Bowls since 2019. They won three of them: LIV, LVII, and LVIII.
Contents
History of the Chiefs
Starting in the AFL
In 1959, Lamar Hunt wanted to create a new professional football league. He had tried to buy an NFL team for his hometown of Dallas, Texas, but it didn't work out. So, Hunt started the American Football League (AFL). He also created his own team, the Dallas Texans, which began playing in 1960.
Hunt hired Hank Stram as the team's head coach. Stram was not very well known at the time. The Texans shared their stadium, the Cotton Bowl, with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Even though the Texans had good attendance, the AFL was less famous than the NFL. In their first two seasons, the Texans had records of 8–6 and 6–8.
In their third season, the Texans had a great 11–3 record. They made it to their first AFL Championship Game. They played 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.
Moving to Kansas City
After the 1962 season, Lamar Hunt decided to move the team. Dallas couldn't support two professional football teams. Kansas City Mayor Harold Roe Bartle convinced Hunt to move the Texans there. Bartle promised more season ticket sales and a bigger stadium.
The team moved to Kansas City on May 22, 1963. On May 26, they were renamed the Kansas City Chiefs. The name "Chiefs" honored Mayor Bartle. He was known as "Chief" because of his work with the Boy Scouts.
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 role in creating the AFL–NFL merger. He even came up with the name "Super Bowl" after seeing his children play with a toy called a "Super Ball."
In 1966, the Chiefs had an 11–2–1 record. They won the AFL Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. This led them to play the NFL's Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I. The Chiefs lost 35–10, but they earned respect.
In 1969, the Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders in the AFL Championship Game. Quarterback Len Dawson led them to Super Bowl IV. They played the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings. The Chiefs were expected to lose, but they won 23–7! Dawson was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. 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 in the AFL's ten-year history.
Changes and Challenges
In 1970, the Chiefs missed the playoffs. In 1971, they won the AFC West Division. Coach Hank Stram thought his 1971 team was his best. But they lost a long playoff game to the Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day. This was the last game at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium.
In 1972, the Chiefs moved into the new Arrowhead Stadium. This stadium is still their home today. The team struggled in the late 1970s and 1980s. Hank Stram was fired in 1974. Many great Chiefs players left the team. From 1975 to 1988, the Chiefs rarely won games.
In 1981, running back Joe Delaney had a great season. He rushed for 1,121 yards. Sadly, Delaney died in 1982 while trying to save children from drowning. The Chiefs had a strong defense in the 1980s. Players like Bill Maas, Albert Lewis, Art Still, and Deron Cherry were Pro Bowlers.
In 1986, the Chiefs made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. They lost to the New York Jets.
The Marty Schottenheimer Era (1989–1998)
In 1988, Carl Peterson became the team's new president and general manager. He hired Marty Schottenheimer as head coach. The Chiefs drafted amazing defensive players like Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas. Their strong defense helped the Chiefs reach the playoffs for six years in a row.
Under Schottenheimer, the Chiefs became a playoff team every year. They had a 101–58–1 record. In 1993, the Chiefs had a very successful season. They got famous players like quarterback Joe Montana and running back Marcus Allen. The Chiefs went 11–5. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers in the playoffs. They made it to the AFC Championship Game but lost to the Buffalo Bills.
In 1995, the Chiefs had a 13–3 record. They hosted the Indianapolis Colts in a playoff game. But they lost 10–7 in a tough game. In 1997, the Chiefs had another 13–3 season. They lost to the Denver Broncos in the playoffs. Coach Schottenheimer left the Chiefs after the 1998 season.
After Schottenheimer, Gunther Cunningham coached the team for two seasons. Many key players left the team. Sadly, Derrick Thomas was paralyzed in a car accident in 2000 and passed away weeks later.
The Dick Vermeil Years (2001–2005)
The Chiefs wanted to change their playing style. They hired Dick Vermeil as head coach in 2001. Vermeil had won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. The Chiefs traded for quarterback Trent Green and signed running back Priest Holmes.
In 2003, Kansas City started the season with nine wins in a row! This was a team record. They finished with a 13–3 record. Their offense was one of the best in the NFL. Priest Holmes set an NFL record with 27 rushing touchdowns. The Chiefs made the playoffs. They hosted the Indianapolis Colts but lost a high-scoring game 38–31.
In 2004, they had a 7–9 record. In 2005, the Chiefs finished 10–6 but missed the playoffs. Running back Larry Johnson played great when Priest Holmes was injured. Coach Dick Vermeil announced his retirement after the 2005 season.
A Challenging Period
The Chiefs hired Herm Edwards as their new head coach in 2006. Quarterback Trent Green got a serious injury in the first game. Backup quarterback Damon Huard led the team to a 5–3 record.
The Chiefs played a special Thanksgiving Day game in 2006. They beat the Denver Broncos. Sadly, owner Lamar Hunt passed away in December 2006. The Chiefs made the playoffs with a 9–7 record. But they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2007, Trent Green was traded. The team struggled with injuries and a 4–12 record. However, tight end Tony Gonzalez broke the NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end. Defensive end Jared Allen led the NFL in sacks.
In 2008, the Chiefs were the youngest team in the NFL. They traded many veteran players to build a new team. They finished with a very tough 2–14 record. This was the worst in franchise history. General manager Carl Peterson resigned. Scott Pioli was hired as the new general manager in 2009.
Herm Edwards was fired as head coach in 2009. Todd Haley became the new head coach. In April 2009, Tony Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. The team finished 4–12 in 2009.
In 2010, the Chiefs hired new offensive and defensive coaches. They won their first AFC West title since 2003. They won 10 games, which was as many as they had won in the previous three seasons combined. They lost their playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens.
Todd Haley was fired in December 2011. Romeo Crennel became the interim head coach. The Chiefs had a big upset win against the undefeated Green Bay Packers that season. Crennel was later named the full-time head coach. The 2012 Chiefs had a 2–14 record, which was tied for the worst in franchise history. They got the first pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
The Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes Era (2013–Present)
After the 2012 season, the Chiefs hired Andy Reid as head coach. He had coached the Philadelphia Eagles before. They also hired John Dorsey as the new general manager. The Chiefs traded for quarterback Alex Smith. They also drafted Eric Fisher and Travis Kelce in the 2013 draft.
In 2013, the Chiefs started with nine wins in a row. They finished 11–5 and made the playoffs. They had a big lead against the Indianapolis Colts but lost a close game 45–44. In 2014, they finished 9–7 and missed the playoffs.
In 2015, the Chiefs started 1–5. But then they won 10 games in a row! They became only the second NFL team to make the playoffs after such a bad start. They beat the Houston Texans 30–0 in the Wild Card game. This was their first playoff win in 23 seasons. They then lost to the New England Patriots.
.jpg)
In 2016, the Chiefs had a huge comeback win against the San Diego Chargers. They won the AFC West division. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. In 2017, they won the AFC West again, for the first time in back-to-back years. They lost to the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card round. This was Alex Smith's last game with the Chiefs.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018. The Chiefs finished 12–4 and won the AFC West again. Mahomes had an amazing season. He threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He became only the second player in NFL history to do this. Mahomes was named the NFL MVP, the first Chief to win this award.
In the 2018 playoffs, the Chiefs beat the Indianapolis Colts. This was their first playoff win at Arrowhead Stadium in 25 years. They hosted the AFC Championship Game for the first time ever. But they lost a close overtime game to the New England Patriots.
The Chiefs finished the 2019 season 12–4. They won the AFC West for the fourth year in a row. In the playoffs, they beat the Houston Texans after being down 24–0! Mahomes threw five touchdowns in that game. The Chiefs then beat the Tennessee Titans to reach Super Bowl LIV. This was their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years.
.jpg)
On February 2, 2020, the Chiefs played the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers had a 20–10 lead in the fourth quarter. But Mahomes led an amazing comeback. He threw touchdowns to Travis Kelce and Damien Williams. Williams also had a long touchdown run to seal the win. The Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years! Mahomes was named the Super Bowl MVP.
In 2020, Mahomes signed a huge contract extension. The Chiefs won their fifth straight division title. They finished with a franchise-best 14 wins. In the playoffs, they beat the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. They won the AFC Championship for the second year in a row. But they lost Super Bowl LV to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2021, the Chiefs won their sixth straight AFC West title. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. Then they had an amazing game against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. Many called it one of the greatest NFL playoff games ever. The Chiefs won 42–36 in overtime. They hosted the AFC Championship for the fourth year in a row. But they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2022, the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill. They focused on drafting new players. They finished with a 14–3 record and won their seventh straight AFC West title. They were the top seed in the AFC playoffs. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship. 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 straight division championship. They finished 11–6. In the playoffs, they beat the Miami Dolphins in very cold weather. They then beat the Buffalo Bills on the road. They made their sixth straight AFC Championship Game. They beat the Baltimore Ravens to reach their fourth Super Bowl in five years. In Super Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in overtime. This was their third Super Bowl win in five years. They became the seventh team to win four Super Bowl titles.
In 2024, the Chiefs won a team record 15 games. They had a first-round bye in the playoffs. They beat the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. This sent them to Super Bowl LIX, their third straight Super Bowl. They played the Philadelphia Eagles again but lost 40–22.
Championship Wins
The Chiefs have won four Super Bowl Championships and three AFL Championships.
Super Bowl Championships
| Year | Coach | Super Bowl | Location | Opponent | Score | MVP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Hank Stram | IV | New Orleans, Louisiana | Minnesota Vikings | 23–7 | QB Len Dawson | |
| 2019 | Andy Reid | LIV | Miami Gardens, Florida | San Francisco 49ers | 31–20 | QB Patrick Mahomes | |
| 2022 | LVII | Glendale, Arizona | Philadelphia Eagles | 38–35 | |||
| 2023 | LVIII | Paradise, Nevada | San Francisco 49ers | 25–22 (OT) | |||
| Total Super Bowl championships won: | 4 | ||||||
American Football League Championships
| Year | Coach | Game | Location | Opponent | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Hank Stram | 1962 AFL Championship Game | Houston, Texas | Houston Oilers | 20–17 | |
| 1966 | 1966 AFL Championship Game | Buffalo, New York | Buffalo Bills | 31–7 | ||
| 1969 | 1969 AFL Championship Game | Oakland, California | Oakland Raiders | 17–7 | ||
| Total AFL championships won: | 3 | |||||
AFC Championships
| Year | Coach | Location | Opponent | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Andy Reid | Kansas City, Missouri | Tennessee Titans | 35–24 | |
| 2020 | Kansas City, Missouri | Buffalo Bills | 38–24 | ||
| 2022 | Kansas City, Missouri | Cincinnati Bengals | 23–20 | ||
| 2023 | Baltimore, Maryland | Baltimore Ravens | 17–10 | ||
| 2024 | Kansas City, Missouri | Buffalo Bills | 32–29 | ||
| Total AFC championships won: | 5 | ||||
Team Look: Logos and Uniforms
When the team started as the Dallas Texans in 1960, their logo showed the state of Texas. It had a yellow star where Dallas is. The team's original colors were red and gold. These colors are still used today.
The team's helmet design changed to an arrowhead. This was sketched by Lamar Hunt on a napkin. The interlocking "KC" inside the arrowhead was inspired by the San Francisco 49ers' logo. From 1960 to 1973, the Chiefs had grey facemasks. In 1974, they changed to white facemasks.
The Chiefs' uniforms have mostly stayed the same. They have a red helmet. They wear either red or white jerseys with numbers in the opposite color. White pants were used for many years. Since 2009, they sometimes wear red pants for road games.
In 2007, the Chiefs added a special patch to their jerseys. It honored Lamar Hunt and the AFL. This patch became a permanent part of their uniforms 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 for the first time. This means red jerseys with red pants. This all-red look is now an official uniform combination. It is often used for prime-time home games.
Arrowhead Stadium
.jpg)
Arrowhead Stadium has been the Chiefs' home since 1972. It can hold 76,416 fans. This makes it the fifth-largest stadium in the NFL. The stadium was updated in 2010. It got new luxury boxes and better areas for fans.
Arrowhead Stadium is known for being one of the loudest stadiums for opposing teams. The fans make a lot of noise! The sound level was once measured at 116 decibels. This is like the sound of a jet taking off. Sports Illustrated called Arrowhead Stadium the "toughest place to play" in 2005.
The stadium is also famous for its tailgate party environment. It feels like a big college football game. You might even see B-2 Spirit stealth bombers fly over during games. Since 1994, the stadium has had a natural grass field.
On October 13, 2013, Chiefs fans set a Guinness World Records record. They made Arrowhead Stadium the loudest outdoor stadium in the world. The noise reached 137.5 dB. They broke their own record on September 29, 2014. The fans reached an amazing 142.2 decibels! This is like standing very close to a jet engine.
Since 2021, the stadium has been officially named GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This is because GEHA signed a naming rights deal with the Chiefs.
Training and Practice
When the team was in Dallas, they held their first training camp in New Mexico. Later, they practiced at Southern Methodist University. From 1966 to 1971, the Chiefs practiced in Swope Park in Kansas City. From 1972 to 1991, they trained at William Jewell College.
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. It's near Arrowhead Stadium. This facility has three outdoor fields and an indoor field.
Team Rivalries
Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders
The rivalry between the Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders is one of the NFL's most intense. It started when both teams were in the AFL. They have always been in the same division. The Chiefs have won more games in the regular season against the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chiefs also have a long-standing rivalry with the Los Angeles Chargers. In recent years, games between these teams have been exciting. They often feature great offensive battles between Patrick Mahomes and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chiefs have won more games in this series.
Denver Broncos
The Chiefs and Denver Broncos also have a strong rivalry. The Chiefs have won many games in this series. They once had a streak of 16 straight wins against the Broncos.
Buffalo Bills
This rivalry began in 1960 when both teams were in the AFL. Even though they are in different divisions, the Bills and Chiefs have played many important playoff games. Recent games have been very exciting, especially with quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes leading their teams. Many compare their rivalry to the famous one between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The Bills have won more games overall, but the Chiefs have won more playoff games against them.
Mascots and Cheerleaders
The Chiefs' first mascot was Warpaint, a horse. Warpaint was the mascot from 1963 to 1988. The horse would circle the field and do victory laps after touchdowns. A new Warpaint horse was used from 2009 to 2020. The Chiefs stopped using Warpaint in 2021. This was part of their effort to move away from Native American imagery.
Since 1989, the Chiefs' mascot has been K. C. Wolf. He is a friendly wolf character. K. C. Wolf was named after the "Wolfpack," a group of loud Chiefs fans. K. C. Wolf is very popular. He was the first NFL mascot to be put 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 cheerleading squad had both men and women. Since 1993, they have been known as the Chiefs Cheerleaders. In 2020, a male joined the team.
Famous Players and Awards
Pro Football Hall of Fame Members
Many Chiefs players have been honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Twenty-five people who played for or coached the Chiefs are in the Hall of Fame. Thirteen of them spent most of their careers with the Chiefs. Ten members were part of the 1969 Super Bowl Championship team.
Chiefs Hall of Honor
The Chiefs Hall of Honor started in 1970. It honors important players, coaches, and people who helped the team. New members are usually added every year. To be included, a player must have been with the Chiefs for at least four seasons. They also need to be out of the NFL for four seasons. Some exceptions have been made for special cases.
Team Records
Three Chiefs players hold major NFL records. Patrick Mahomes has the best career quarterback rating. Derrick Thomas holds the record for the most sacks in a single game (7). Travis Kelce has the record for the most career catches in the playoffs. Also, Tony Gonzalez, who played most of his career with the Chiefs, is the all-time leader in receiving yards and catches for tight ends.
Individual League Awards
- NFL Most Valuable Player:
- 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. He led the Chiefs to three AFL championships and two Super Bowl appearances. Stram was the team's coach for the longest time, from 1960 to 1974.
Marty Schottenheimer coached the Chiefs from 1989 to 1998. He led them to seven playoff appearances. He had the best winning record of all Chiefs coaches. Dick Vermeil coached the team to a great 9–0 start in 2003.
Andy Reid became the head coach in 2013. Under Reid, the Chiefs have always had winning seasons. They have made the playoffs in 10 of his 11 seasons. They have won their division six times. They have also been to the Super Bowl twice in a row, and won three times. On November 5, 2023, Andy Reid tied Hank Stram for the most regular season wins in Chiefs history with 124 victories.
Team Ownership
The team was started in 1959 by Lamar Hunt. He owned the team until he passed away in 2006. The Hunt family still owns the team today. Clark Hunt, Lamar's son, is the Chairman and CEO. He makes the big decisions for the team.
Because of Lamar Hunt's important work in the NFL, the AFC Championship trophy is named after him. The team is valued at $4.85 billion USD as of 2024.
Fan Culture
.jpg)
The Chiefs have one of the most loyal fan bases in the NFL. Even though Kansas City is a smaller city, the Chiefs have had the second-highest attendance in the league for many years. The team has an official fan club called Chiefs Kingdom. Members get special benefits.
Before home games, during "The Star-Spangled Banner," many Chiefs fans yell "CHIEFS!" at the end. This is a tradition. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, fans stopped doing this for a while to show respect.
Many famous people are Chiefs fans. These include Brad Pitt, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Henry Cavill, Taylor Swift, and Eric Stonestreet.
Arrowhead Stadium is recognized by Guinness World Records as the loudest outdoor stadium in the world. This record was set on September 29, 2014. The crowd reached 142.2 decibels. This is as loud as standing near a jet engine!
International Fan Base
The NFL has a program for teams to market themselves in other countries. 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 other countries. They played in London (2015), Mexico City (2019), and Germany (2023). They were the first NFL team to win games in four different countries.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Kansas City Chiefs para niños
- List of Kansas City Chiefs seasons
- Sports in the Kansas City metropolitan area
