Kansas City, MO is the home to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs football team. With a capacity of over 79,000 seats, Arrowhead Stadium is the place to be during the fall in Kansas City. How did the Kansas City Chiefs football team get its start? Here are some interesting background facts on this popular team.
The Kansas City Chiefs actually began as the Dallas Texans of the AFL. Owner Lamar Hunt later moved the Texans to Kansas City in 1963. The Dallas Cowboys were already in Dallas and the area just couldn’t support a second professional football team. After moving the team to Kansas City, Mr. Hunt was looking for a new name for the team. The mayor at the time the Chiefs moved to Kansas City was nicknamed "Chief". Lamar Hunt took the nickname and renamed the Texans, the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have been a successful franchise over the years. They have made the playoffs 14 times. In 1967, the Kansas City Chiefs played the Green Bay Packers in the very first Super Bowl. Even though they lost the game 35-10, the Chiefs are proud to have been a part of history. Later, in 1970, the Chiefs again reached the Super Bowl and this time they defeated the Minnesota Vikings to become the world champions. That was the last time the Kansas City Chiefs have been to football’s Super Bowl.
Over the years the Chiefs have had many Hall of Fame players on their roster. Here are just a few of the many great players to play football in a Kansas City uniform:
Len Dawson
Joe Montana
Marcus Allen
Willie Lanier
Buck Buchanan
Bobby Bell
Jan Stenerud
Hank Stram
Mike Webster
The Kansas City Chiefs have also had their own list of tragedies such as the death of Derrick Thomas in 2000 from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Among others, there was the sudden drowning of Joe Delaney, who tried to save 3 teenagers from drowning in an LA lake.
The players, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs football organization, do a lot more than just play football on Sunday’s during the fall. They are constantly giving their time for charitable causes throughout the Kansas City area year round. In 2004 the Chiefs help raise over $14 million for various charities in the area. In addition, many of the Chiefs players also assist in charities of their own choosing.
The Chiefs have been playing their games since 1972 in Arrowhead Stadium, which is considered to be one of the best stadiums in the National Football League. Opposing players agree that it is one of the toughest places to play a football game in. The noise created by the fans is deafening to their opponents. In addition, some of the best tailgating parties and food can be found in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Chiefs fans show their support during the season and throughout the year by proudly wearing the red and white colors of the team. During home football games, Arrowhead Stadium becomes a sea or red. The Chiefs have a great organization, with great fans. They will be near the top of the league for years to come.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Football
