The Red-Hot History of the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most successful franchises, especially in modern NFL history. Winning 123 games in 164 and three Super Bowls in five seasons—that’s exactly what success looks like. Although they’ve mostly dominated the modern era, the Chiefs have a rich history of success that stretches far beyond their recent reign.

In this article, we’ll dive into the Chiefs’ journey, covering everything from their Dallas Texans days to the powerhouse they’ve become in present-day Kansas City.

Born From Rejection

Lamar Hunt, the Chiefs’ founder, desired to create his own NFL football team. He tried to purchase and relocate the Chicago Cardinals but his efforts were largely unsuccessful. He then tried to get the NFL bosses to create an expansion franchise in Dallas but, again, his request fell on deaf ears. As someone who wouldn’t take no for an answer, Hunt went on to establish the American Football League and started his own team, the Dallas Texans (now Kansas City Chiefs) in 1960.

Hunt also faced a few more rejections—two of them from coaches who turned down his offer to lead the team. Hank Stram, though, accepted the offer and registered his name in the Kansas City Hall of Fame. He guided the team to their first taste of glory. They won the 1962 AFL championship and went on to win two more in the decade. In 1966, after defeating the Buffalo Bills, who were the defending AFL champions, they were invited into the first-ever Super Bowl. Although the Chiefs fell to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I, they had gained traction, becoming a feared side across the country.

Three years later, the Chiefs found themselves in a Super Bowl showdown against the Minnesota Vikings. Like their owner, they weren’t going to take no for an answer again. It was the very last game of the pre-merger era, and the incredible Chiefs were the team that closed that chapter.

Marty Schottenheimer and Derrick Thomas era.

After their AFL dominance, things didn’t click quite as much for the Chiefs in the NFL. But Marty Schottenheimer‘s hiring in 1989 turned the tides in their favor once again. Also, the addition of Neil Smith in the 1988 draft and Derrick Thomas in the 1989 draft perfectly set the tone for explosive years to come. The Chiefs started to really compete in the playoffs. In the 1993 season, new arrivals like quarterback Joe Montana and Marcus Allen skyrocketed the Chiefs into their first AFC Championship game. The game didn’t quite go as planned for the Chiefs but at least they had started to dream again.

The drafting of Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez also contributed to the Chiefs’ successes during those years. Even while battling key injuries in the 1997 season, they were able to record a 13-3 season. In the playoffs, however, they were overwhelmed by the Denver Broncos, who went all the way to win the Super Bowl that season.

Re-Born

After the Schottenheimer years, much was left to be desired of the Chiefs but like a legendary team with a fighting spirit, they were back competing for the top spot within a couple of years. Their re-emergence started with a firing and hiring process that brought in a new head coach and general manager. Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid was the man selected to coach the Chiefs to greatness—and boy, did he do just that. 

The 2013 NFL Draft brought in Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs also traded for quarterback Alex Smith, setting the stage for something special. A scorching 9-0 start to the season was just the first sign of what was to come. In the 2015 season, the Chiefs pulled off one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history, winning 10 straight games to transform a 1-5 record into an 11-5 finish. Making the playoffs that season, they became just the second team since the AFL-NFL merger to reach the postseason after starting 1-5.

In the 2017 drafts, the Chiefs strategically picked Patrick Mahomes, a player they believed had the potential to single-handedly alter the fate of an entire franchise. It didn’t take long for their wishes to come true. Mahomes won the NFL MVP in 2018 and led the team into the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. It took another genius effort from Mahomes and the rest of the team the following season to push the Chiefs into their first Super Bowl appearance in 50 years.

Three Super Bowls in Five Years

Super Bowl LIV is high up there as one of the greatest Super Bowl games in history. Beyond the hype, the intensity of the game itself was breathtaking. Not even the scoreboard did justice to how close the game was. The San Francisco 49ers led 20-10 with less than eight minutes left, and it looked like the game was slipping away. But in just a handful of plays involving Mahomes, Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Damien Williams, the Chiefs completely flipped the script, turning a nail-biter into a double-digit victory.

The Chiefs returned to the Super Bowl three seasons later, edging out the Eagles in what was a close high-scoring game. The game had everything, from an incomplete last-second Hail Mary Jalen Hurts’ pass to offensive fireworks and even a defensive touchdown. While Hurts did everything he possibly could to take down the Chiefs, Kansas City’s relentless will to win proved unstoppable.

The following season, the Chiefs were in the Super Bowl yet again. This time, they needed overtime to clinch the Vince Lombardi Trophy in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Mahomes led the charge and earned his third Super Bowl MVP. Unpredictable and fiercely competitive, Super Bowl LVIII displayed the Chiefs’ championship mindset and ability to thrive under pressure. The Chiefs proved once again that champions rise when it matters most.

Team Achievements

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