Established
1960
City
Dallas - Kansas City
League History
1970 - Present / National Football League
1960 - 1970 / American Football League
Team History
1963 - Present / Kansas City Chiefs
1960 - 1962 / Dallas Texans
Nickname
Chiefs - The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. With a rich tradition and a passionate fan base, it’s no surprise that their nickname has become synonymous with excellence. But how did they get their name?
Kansas City Chiefs Origin
It all started in 1960 when Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League (AFL), decided to place an AFL team in Kansas City. He wanted to come up with something unique for his new franchise. He settled on “Chiefs” after seeing former Mayor H. Roe Bartle wearing a Native American headdress at an event he attended earlier that year. The mayor was known as “The Chief” due to his involvement with local tribes, and Hunt thought this would also fit his team's nickname.
Hunt then hired Jack Steadman as a general manager who put together the first roster of players, which included future Hall-of-Famer Len Dawson at quarterback – thus beginning one of football's greatest rivalries between him and Joe Namath from the New York Jets!
Since then, the Chiefs have gone on to win two Super Bowl titles (1969 & 1970) while becoming one of the most successful teams in NFL history, not only winning games but also inspiring generations upon generations of fans a long way too! It is clear why they chose such a mighty moniker - because it represents strength, courage leadership just like what you see out there every Sunday during game day!
Championship
Super Bowl 4
2024, 2023, 2020, 1970
AFL Championship 0
1962
Stadium
1972 - Present / Arrowhead Stadium
1963 - 1971 / Municipal Stadium
*Dallas*
1960 - 1962 / Cotton Bowl
Owner
2006 - Present / Hunt family, led by Clark Hunt
1960 - 2006 / Lamar Hunt
- 1963
- 1967
- 1970
- 1970
- 1972
- 2006
- 2020
- 2023
- 2024
-
Moving to Kansas City
Hunt agreed to relocate the franchise to Kansas City on May 22, 1963, and on May 26 the team was renamed the Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt and head coach Hank Stram initially planned on retaining the Texans name, but a fan contest determined the new “Chiefs” name in honor of Mayor Bartle’s nickname that he acquired in his professional role ... -
Super Bowl Name
The franchise became one of the strongest teams in the now thriving American Football League, with the most playoff appearances for an AFL team (tied with the Oakland Raiders), and the most AFL Championships (three). The team’s dominance helped Lamar Hunt become a central figure in negotiations with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle to agree on an AFL–NFL merger. In the ... -
NFL and AFL Merger
Contrary to common belief, it was not the AFL, but the NFL that initiated discussions for a merger between the two leagues, as it was fearful that Davis’ “take no prisoners” tactics would seriously reduce its talent base. Tex Schramm, the general manager of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys since 1960, secretly contacted AFL owners, led by Lamar Hunt of Kansas ... -
Super Bowl IV Winner 1970
Super Bowl IV, the fourth AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, was played on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The American Football League (AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football League (NFL) champion Minnesota Vikings by the score of 23–7. This victory by the AFL squared the Super Bowl series with ... -
Move to Arrowhead Stadium
In 1972, the Chiefs moved into the newly constructed Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex outside of Downtown Kansas City. The team’s first game at Arrowhead was against the St. Louis Cardinals, a game in which the Chiefs won 24–14. Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, is home to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Part of the Truman Sports ... -
Lamar Hunt Passes Away
Lamar Hunt died December 13, 2006, at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas of complications related to prostate cancer. The Chiefs honored their owner for the remainder of the season, as did the rest of the league. Upon his death, his son Clark Hunt was named chairman of the Kansas City Chiefs. -
Super Bowl LIV Winner 2020
Super Bowl LIV was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2019 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers 31–20, marking their first Super Bowl victory since Super Bowl IV and the Chiefs’ first NFL championship since ... -
Chiefs Overcome a 10-point deficit to Win Super Bowl 54
Super Bowl LVII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2022 season. It was the 57th Super Bowl and was played on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with kickoff time at 4:30 PM MST (UTC-7). The American Football Conference (AFC) champion Kansas City ... -
Back to Back Chiefs Win Again
Super Bowl LVIII Recap: Kansas City Chiefs Victory The Super Bowl LVIII featured an exhilarating matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, culminating in a thrilling victory for the Chiefs. Here’s a recap of the key details: Game Summary: The game took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and was a closely contested battle from ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Kansas City Chiefs History
The Kansas City Chiefs History is one of the most celebrated stories in the Kansas City Chiefs NFL legacy. Originally founded as the Dallas Texans in 1959, the team moved to Kansas City after just one season. Since then, they have grown into one of the most successful franchises in professional football, with multiple Super Bowl victories and a passionate fan base.
In 1963, their first year as the Chiefs, they won the AFL Championship against the San Diego Chargers. Soon after, they captured their first Super Bowl title by defeating the Minnesota Vikings 23–7 in Super Bowl IV. This victory became a defining moment in the Kansas City Chiefs History, cementing their place among early football powerhouses.
The Chiefs made three more Super Bowl appearances under legendary head coach Hank Stram. However, they fell short in those matchups, losing twice to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I and II and once to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Even in defeat, the Kansas City Chiefs NFL presence continued to grow in national recognition.
During the 1970s, the Chiefs were led by Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, alongside stars such as Otis Taylor and Buck Buchanan. Their defense was considered one of the strongest of its era. Although the team lost a tough playoff battle to the Oakland Raiders in 1973, that period remains an important chapter in the Kansas City Chiefs History.
Kansas City Chiefs Achievements
After decades of limited playoff success, the franchise found new life with head coach Andy Reid in 2013. He guided the team to consistent postseason appearances while developing talents like Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Patrick Mahomes. Under Reid’s leadership, the Chiefs returned to championship glory.
The breakthrough came in 2020, when the Chiefs ended a 50-year Super Bowl drought. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20 in Super Bowl LIV, adding a second Lombardi Trophy to their legacy. In 2023, they captured another Super Bowl title, confirming their place as one of the NFL’s elite dynasties. These achievements highlight the enduring success of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL journey.
The legacy of the Dallas Texans remains a foundation of the Kansas City Chiefs History. From humble beginnings to modern dominance, the Chiefs continue to inspire fans and secure their place in football history.
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Retired Number
3 / Jan Stenerud
16 / Len Dawson
18 / Emmitt Thomas
28 / Abner Haynes
33 / Stone Johnson
36 / Mack Lee Hill
58 / Derrick Thomas
63 / Willie Lanier
78 / Bobby Bell
86 / Buck Buchanan
*Blue is this team’s history