Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes rolls out of the pocket. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)
Kansas City Chiefs
Owner: Clark Hunt
General Manager: Brett Veach
Head Coach: Andy Reid
AFL Championships: 1962, 1966, 1969
Super Bowl Championships: 1969 (Super Bowl IV), 2019 (Super Bowl LIV)
Kansas City Chiefs Team History
The Kansas City Chiefs franchise began as an attempt by previous owner Lamar Hunt to create an NFL expansion franchise in Dallas. After being denied a franchise by the NFL, Hunt formed the American Football League (AFL) and founded the Dallas Texans. In 1963, Hunt decided the Dallas market could not sustain two professional football teams and relocated his franchise to Kansas City, renaming the team the Chiefs.
Once established in their new home, the Chiefs would compete in the AFL for ten years winning three AFL championships and the 1969 AFL-NFL World Championship, also referred to as Super Bowl IV. As of 2017 the Chiefs are the 24th most valuable franchise in the NFL worth $2.1 billion.
The Chiefs were largely successful in the late 60s and early 70s behind Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson. Dawson was under center for all four of the franchises titles, including their lone Super Bowl victory in 1969. The early Chiefs teams also featured Hall of Fame players Emmitt Thomas, Willie Lanier, Bobby Bell, and Buck Buchanan, all of whom would eventually have their numbers retired. By 1975 many of the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame players careers would come to an end and the franchise would suffer greatly for it, compiling an 81-121-1 record over the next 14 seasons. In 1989 the Chiefs returned to winning after hiring legendary head coach Marty Shottenheimer. Anchored by a vaunted defence led by Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas, the Chiefs made the playoffs in six consecutive seasons in the 90s.
When Lamar Hunt passed away in 2006, the Hunt family took over as co-owners of the Chiefs with Clark Hunt assuming the role of Chairman and CEO. After taking over day-to-day operations of the franchise, Hunt went on to hire three general managers including current GM Brett Veach who assumed the role in 2017. In 2013 the Chiefs hired current head coach Andy Reid after former head coach Romeo Crennel finished the previous season 2-14.
Reid has been extremely successful in Kansas City, leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in seven of his first seasons at the helm. in 2020 he propelled KC to its second Super Bowl title with a rousing 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers.