Kansas City Chiefs
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Template:NFL team The Kansas City Chiefs are a National Football League team based in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Franchise Founded: 1959
- First Season: 1960 (charter American Football League member; joined NFL in 1970 league merger)
- Formerly known as: Dallas Texans, 1960-62, then moved to Kansas City (1963-).
- Home field: Arrowhead Stadium
- Previous home fields:
- Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX (1960-1962)
- Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, MO (1963-1971)
- Uniform colors: Red, White, and Gold
- Helmet design: Red helmet with white arrowhead bearing initials K.C.
- League championships won: AFL 1962, 1966, 1969
- AFC West Championships: 1971, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2003
- AFC Championships: None
- Super Bowl appearances: I (lost), IV (won)
- Current President: Carl Peterson (he is also the General Manager and CEO) [2003]
- Current Head coach: Dick Vermeil [2003]
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Franchise history
The Texans/Chiefs franchise was the flagship team of the American Football League, with the most playoff appearances as an AFL team, six (tied with Oakland), the most American Football League Championships (3), and the most Super Bowl appearances, playing in the first Super Bowl, and in the last to be played between League champions. The Texans won the classic 1962 double-overtime AFL championship game against the Houston Oilers, 20 - 17, at the time the longest, and still one of the best professional football championship games ever played. The Chiefs dropped the first Super Bowl to the Packers, then pulverized the Vikings 23 - 7 in the final "true" AFL-NFL World Championsip game after the AFL's last season in 1969. They have the largest presence in the American Football League Hall of Fame, with 24 representatives, and they had just one coach throughout their AFL history, Hall-of-Famer Hank Stram.
The Kansas City Chiefs' (under Dallas Texans name) first stadium was at 22nd and Brooklyn, called "Municipal Stadium". Municipal Stadium opened in 1923 and had 49,002 seats. In 1971, Municipal Stadium was abandoned in favor of the new Arrowhead Stadium. Municipal Stadium was demolished in 1976; it is now a community garden. The Chiefs' first game at Arrowhead Stadium was against the St. Louis Cardinals (Chiefs 24, St. Louis Cardinals 14).
As the Chiefs, under coach Hank Stram, the team played in the first Super Bowl, losing 35-10 to Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers. They earned revenge three years later, upsetting the Minnesota Vikings 23-7. The team won 43 games between 1966 and 1969. The Chiefs had only two winning seasons between 1974 and 1986. They did not get to the playoffs for 15 straight years.
In 1989, Carl Peterson became the team's new President and General Manager. Peterson hired Marty Schottenheimer as the team's coach. Marty Schottenheimer helped establish six straight playoff appearances, three AFC West championships, nine winning seasons, and 76 consecutive soldout games at Arrowhead. Since 1992, no NFL team has a better regular season home winning percentage than Kansas City (27-5 (.844) record).
After going from 13-3 in 1997 and losing the playoff game to the Denver Broncos (10-14), the Chiefs fell to 7-9 in 1998. Marty Schottenheimer took much of the blame for his failed attempts at clock control (also nicknamed Martyball by his critics). He was also in the midst of a quarterback controversy.
In 1997, he started with Elvis Grbac as quarterback. After a loss to Denver, Grbac was injured and Rich Gannon took over. After going 13-2 during the season, Gannon was replaced by Grbac in the playoff game against Denver. The choice to play Grbac over Gannon made many fans angry with Schottenheimer. The following losing seaon with Grbac at quarterback did not help.
Schottenheimer left as head coach, replaced by his defensive coach Gunther Cunningham. In two years, Cunningham showed little improvement, going 9-7 and 7-9. After the loss of Derrick Thomas, the collapse of the defense was unmistakable. The Chiefs' wins were mostly made by a high scoring offense rather than a powerful defense.
After coaching the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl and retiring, Dick Vermeil took over as head coach in 2001 with the statement that it takes three years to get a team ready for the Super Bowl. He immediately dropped Elvis Grbac, replacing him with his primary pick for the Rams' quartback, Trent Green. Another notable replacement was Priest Holmes at running back. Three years later, the Chiefs went 13-3 in 2003 and set many records along the way. However, the season sputtered by November and the Chiefs lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. As with the loss to the Broncos in the 1997 season, this loss led to a poor following season.
In 2004 Gunther Cunningham was brought back as the defensive coach. However, the defense showed little improvement. The offense, unable to record the same high scores as the previous year, was unable to bring in the wins as they had the previous year.
Team records
The following are team and league records. They may have been surpassed between the time of making the record and the current date. Records are listed in chronological order.
League Records
- 1966: Len Dawson ties Johnny Unitas for 4 seasons leading the league in touchdowns.
- 1969: Len Dawson records 6 consecutive seasons leading the league in pass completions.
- December 25, 1971: Ed Podolak amasses 350 all-purpose yards against the Miami Dolphins, a playoff record.
- 1975: Len Dawson records 8 seasons leading the league in pass completions.
- November 11, 1990: Derrick Thomas sets league record for most sacks in a game with 7.0.
- 1993: Nick Lowery sets record for most seasons with 100 or more points with 11.
- 1993: Dave Krieg gets record 494 times sacked in a career. Kansas City fans like having that record broken in 1998 by John Elway.
- 1998: Chiefs set the record for most penalties (158) and most penalty yardage (1,304) in a season.
- 2002: Morten Andersen sets record with 40 field goals over 50 yards in a career.
- December 22, 2002: Trent Green to Mark Boerigter tied for longest pass completion of 99 yards.
- 2003: Morten Andersen of Kansas City and Gary Anderson of Pittsburg tie for most seaons with 100 or more points with 14.
- 2003: Morten Andersen has record 316 consecutive scoring games.
- 2003: Dante Hall ties league record with 4 kick-returns for touchdowns in a single season.
- 2003: Priest Holmes sets league record for most touchdowns as well as most rushing touchdowns with 27.
- October 24, 2004: the Chiefs completed 8 running touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, setting the league record for most running touchdowns in a single game.
Franchise Records
- 1990: Derrick Thomas sets team record with 20.0 sacks in a season.
- 1995: Chiefs make team record sixth consecutive playoff berth.
- 1996: Chiefs have first 4-0 start.
- 2001: Priest Holmes sets the single-season rushing record with 1,555 yards.
- 2002: Team sets franchise record for most offensive yards with 6,000.
- 2002: Priest Holmes sets the single-season rushing record with 1,615 yards.
- November 9, 2003: the Chiefs beat the Cleveland Browns (41-20), winning their ninth straight game which sets a new franchise record for consecutive victories.
- 2003: Priest Holmes surpasses Otis Taylor for most career touchdowns by a Chief.
- 2003: Will Shields extends franchise record of consecutive starts to 175.
- November 28, 2004: Dante Hall sets team record with 213 kickoff returns.
- December 5, 2004: Will Shields extends team record of consecutive starts to 187 (actual consecutive games also a team record of 188).
- December 5, 2004: Trent Green extends team record of consecutive quarterback starts to 60.
Players of note
Pro Football Hall of Famers
Items are listed as Player Name (date inducted; years played as a chief) Short Bio. Names are in italics for players who made a majority of their contributions with another team.
- Marcus Allen (November 9, 2003; 1992-1997) Running Back. Scored the 100th rushing touchdown of his career as a Chief. Inducted into the Pro Hall of Fame as a Chief.
- Bobby Bell (July 30, 1983; 1963-1974) Linebacker.
- Buck Buchanan (1990; 1963-1975) Lineman. First player taken in 1963 American Football League Draft. NAIA All-America in 1962.
- Len Dawson (1987; 1963-1975) Quarterback. Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1978. Two AFL championships. MVP of Super Bowl IV. 19-year career, passed for 28,711 yards and 239 touchdowns. 11th ranked passer in NFL history (retired No. 1).
- Lamar Hunt (1972; 1959-present) Owner. Started American Football League that was the genesis of modern professional football.
- Willie "Contact" Lanier (1986; 1967-1977) Outside linebacker. Second Chief selected to go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 1969 Super Bowl IV Champion.
- Marv Levy (2001; 1978-1982)
- Joe Montana (2000; 1993-1994) Quarterback. Popular for come-from-behind wins, including the 1993 playoffs and the outdueling of Elway in 1994 as a Chief.
- Jan Stenerud (1991; 1967-1979) Placekicker. Only pure kicker in the Hall of Fame. 19-year career. 186 consecutive games played. Career 409 PATs and 436 field goals attempted. 44 field goals in a season. 7 field goal attempts in a game. six postseason All-Star games (four NFL Pro Bowl). 48-yard field goal, the longest in Super Bowl history, against the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
- Hank Stram (2003; 1960-1974) Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs coach won three AFL titles. Victories 87. Post-season appearances 6. Post-season record 5-1. Head coach of the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs for the entire ten-year history of the AFL.
- Mike Webster (1997; 1989-1990)
Retired numbers
- #3 Jan Stenerud (Placekicker)
- #16 Len Dawson (Quarterback)
- #28 Abner Haynes (Running Back)
- #33 Stone Johnson (Running Back)
- #36 Mack Lee Hill (Running Back)
- #63 Willie Lanier (Linebacker)
- #78 Bobby Bell (Linebacker)
- #86 Buck Buchanan (Defense Tackle)
Chiefs Hall of Fame
External Link: Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame (http://www.kcchiefs.com/halloffame/)
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Current players
- #88 Tony Gonzalez (2004 Season Lead the NFL in receptions with 102)
- #10 Trent Green
- #31 Priest Holmes (NFL record for most touchdowns in a season at 27)
- #82 Dante Hall (NFL record returning a kick or a punt for a touchdown for four consecutive weeks; won four consecutive NFL weekly awards)
Not to be forgotten
- Ed Budde (14 years as a Chief, member of the All-time AFL team, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Chris Burford (391 Pass Receptions, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Deron Cherry (50 interceptions; 15 career fumble recoveries; Byron White Humanitarian Award for service to his team, community, and country)
- Joe Delaney (Running back 1981-82, Rookie of the Year 1981, Pro Bowl 1981, College Football Hall of Fame 1997, Chiefs Hall of Fame 2004. In June 29, 1983, Joe drowned attempting to rescue two boys from a rain-swollen pit shortly after rescuing one other; posthumously awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal and the NCAA Award of Valor.) 37Forever.org (http://www.37forever.org) was formed to teach KC area kids how to swim in honor of the valor that Joe Delaney demonstrated.
- Abner Haynes (1960 Rookie of the Year and MVP. All-time AFL leader in all-purpose yards with 12,065, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Sherrill "Psycho" Headrick (Texan and Chief linebacker that withstood pain and injury when he played with a fractured neck vertebrae. Headrick played the entire game and the next game. Headrick is a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- E.J. Holub (started the first world championship game between the AFL and NFL (before it was called the Super Bowl) at linebacker and started Super Bowl IV, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Bobby Hunt (1962 [Dallas Texans] - 1967 [Kansas City Chiefs]; Defensive Back, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Ernie Ladd (Defensive tackle; 1967-1968. Also played for the San Diego Chargers and the Houston Oilers, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Bill Maas
- Curtis McClinton (scored a touchdown in Super Bowl I)
- Christian Okoye (Nigerian; omitted from his Country's Olympic team in track and field; drafted in 1987 by the Chiefs in the second round; Chiefs rushing records, including total yards in a season, attempts in a season, touchdowns in a season, attempts in a single game, 100-yard games in a season, and was the first Chiefs running back to rush for 1,000 yards for more than one season.)
- Johnny Robinson (In Super Bowl IV, helped defeat the Vikings, 23-7, picking off a Joe Kapp pass). A member of the All-time All-AFL team, one of only twenty players who were in the American Football League for its entire ten-year existence, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Art Still (Career Sacks, 72.5, 1978-87; Season Sacks, 14.5 1980 and 1984; Game Sacks, 4.0 : vs. Oakland [Oct. 5, 1980].)
- Otis Taylor (46-yard touchdown reception in Super Bowl IV, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Derrick Thomas (school record with 52 quarterback sacks and 74 tackles behind the line of scrimmage; Finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting; Kansas City Chief for eleven years; team career records: 119.5 sacks, 3 safeties and 18 fumble recoveries. Died shortly after a car accident in 2000)
- Jim Tyrer (Tackle 1969 Super Bowl IV Champion; 6-foot-6, 270 pound Tackle would take on two defensive linemen at once. Tyrer is a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
- Jerrell Wilson (Punter 1963-77; Chiefs Hall of Fame 1987, and a member of the American Football League Hall of Fame.)
Historical
- Gary Barbaro
- J. T. Smith
- Tony Reed
- Lloyd Burruss
- Jack Steadman (General Manager)
See also
External links
- Kansas City Chiefs (http://www.kcchiefs.com/) - Official site
- NFL KC Chiefs' News (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/KC)
- KC Star's Chiefs (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/)
- ChiefsPlanet (http://www.chiefsplanet.com) - Largest online Chiefs community
- Chiefs war path (http://www.chiefswarpath.com/)
- Texans/Chiefs page on the American Football League Website (http://www.conigliofamily.com/TexansChiefs.htm)
- The largest Kansas City Chiefs Group on the web (http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chiefsfanshangout/)