Kansas City Chiefs Legends

A team spoilt when it comes to legends of the game, take a look at the legendary players to star for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Priest Homes (Running Back):

This Kansas City Chiefs legend arguably had the greatest three-year stretch of a running back in NFL history. After signing as a free agent from the Baltimore Ravens, no one quite expected what Holmes would produce – I doubt even himself. In his first season in 2001, Holmes led the NFL in rushing yards closing in on 1,555, whilst adding 614 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Therefore, he became the first undrafted free agent to lead the league in rushing since 1954.

In his next two prolific seasons the running back accumulated 3,035 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns. Additionally, contributing 1,362 receiving yards over the same time frame. Devastatingly, several injuries derailed his career and if not for those, there is little doubt Holmes would have been a Hall of Fame calibre talent. Across his three explosive seasons, the Arkansas born talent was honoured with three First-Team All-Pro selections and appeared in three Pro-Bowl.

Willie Lainer (Linebacker):

Inherited the middle name ‘contact’ after his aggressive tackling technique of diving headfirst into his opponent. Lainer is described by many as one of the most feared linebackers in the NFL to date and with tackling rules much more lenient back in the 1960/70s, you can imagine why he was. Besides the aggressive aura Lainer adopted, he was technically exquisite for his era of football. Furthermore, his footballing IQ to be able to read coverage was second to none as he intercepted 27 passes in his career – a number some modern-day linebackers can only dream of.

Over the span of his career, the Morgan State graduate secured 18 fumble recoveries, highlighting how crucial his ability was for changing the course of games. The Chiefs linebacker was not short of personal awards as he received; eight Pro-Bowl appearances, three First-Team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Hall of Fame class of 1986.

Emmitt Thomas (Cornerback):

One of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history, Thomas holds the Chiefs franchise record for most total interceptions as a player. Thomas was a gem of a find for the Chiefs, as he was an undrafted free agent out of Bishop College. Memorably, Thomas intercepted a pass in the Chiefs first ever Super Bowl victory which evidently proved decisive. To this day, he sits 12^th on the all-time leaderboard for interceptions throughout his professional career.

In his greatest interception return season he managed to claim 12, which is only two shy of all the all-time single season interception record (14). After professional retirement, he was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2008 and gratefully returned to the Chiefs in 2010 as a defensive backs coach. Thomas appeared in five Pro Bowls and achieved one First-Team All-Pro. Testament to the impact upon the Chiefs Kingdom, the number 18 he wore throughout his industrious career was retired by the Chiefs – a mark of respect when inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Johnny Robinson (Running Back/Safety):

Robinson is a unique Chiefs legend and Hall of Famer, playing his final 10 seasons as a safety after starting his first two as a running back. The positional change turned out to be a stroke of genius as Robinson intercepted 57 passes, one shy of future teammate Emmitt Thomas. Overall, in games where Robinson completed at least one interception, the Chiefs record stood at 35-3-1. Whilst Thomas is undoubtedly the greatest cornerback for the franchise, the same can be said for Robinson in his respective position.

The Louisiana native was a key figure in the franchise’s historical maiden victory in the Super Bowl back in 1970. His athletic ability was nothing short of exceptional in this era of American football and was the best safety the NFL had ever seen up to this point. For two seasons he was the league leader in interceptions. Countless Pro Bowl (7) and First-Team All-Pro (6) selections means as a player he cemented himself in legendary status.

Buck Buchanan (Defensive Lineman):

One of the most athletic defensive linemen over his era, the Chiefs first-round draft pick enjoyed a decorated career. Buchanan was the perfect combination of strength, speed, athleticism and intelligence. Recorded at completing a 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds, one of the Chiefs greatest first picks in a draft proved to be a nightmare for offensive lineman. Standing at six-foot-seven, he would dwarf anyone standing next to him. More importantly, Buchanan was able to pair his elite level talent which his desirable physicality.

During the 1967 season, the giant managed to bat down 16 passes at the line of scrimmage. In the records, it says Buchanan managed to sack the quarterback in the 1970 Super Bowl final – sacks were not recorded as stats during this period.  Eight Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro achievements, coinciding with a world title, individually, make him one of the most decorated Chiefs off all time. Buchanan terrorised quarterbacks and their offensive lines up and down the country for 12 years.

Bobby Bell (Defensive End/Outside Linebacker):

During his first two years as a Chiefs player, Bell was a threatening defensive end who recorded multiple sacks whilst snagging two interceptions. For the rest of his career, the North Carolina born star was moved to play outside linebacker. Bell was a dual threat to quarterbacks in this position, as he was excellent in reading coverage and navigating around offensive lineman to register multiple sacks. Finishing his career with 40 sacks and 26 career interceptions.

Additionally, Bell holds the franchise record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns. Moreover, the Hall of Famer is one of just a handful of players to record at least 20 sacks and 20 interceptions. The Chiefs retired the number 78, as he achieved nine Pro Bowl appearances and six First-Team All-Pro selections. An integral part of the Kansas City Chiefs first Super Bowl winning team, he became the first Chiefs player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Len Dawson (Quarterback):

Before Patrick Mahomes took the NFL by storm and elevated the Chiefs franchise to a different stratosphere; Dawson was regarded as their greatest ever quarterback. In his era, Dawson was one of, if not, the most accurate throwing signal callers in the entire league. A tremendous career from 1963-1975: leading the league in completion percentage eight times in 14 years and completed the most touchdowns in four seasons.

Currently holding onto the franchise record for most career passing yards with 28,507. He is only one of three Chiefs quarterbacks to have achieved a perfect passer rating in a game. The former first-round pick spearheaded the franchise to two Super Bowl appearances and winning one (Super Bowl IV) – earning MVP in the final. Unsurprisingly, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, confirming his legendary status in NFL history.

Tony Gonzalez (Tight End):

It is extremely hard for anyone to try and dispute the fact that Gonzalez is the greatest tight end in NFL history. A first-round pick as a tight end, Gonzalez took a while to settle, eventually showing his talent in his third season. Prior to his addition into the NFL, tight ends were used predominantly as blockers with the occasional use of being a viable receiving target. Gonzalez would become one of the greatest receivers of the ball ever seen. Unheard of today, the tight end Gonzalez managed to lead the NFL in receptions in 2004 (102).

At the end of his career, finishing with Atlanta, the tight end out of the University of California has racked up a monstrous resume: holding the Chiefs franchise record of yards (10,940), touchdowns (76) receptions (916), the league’s all-time record for yards for a tight end and third in all-time receptions for any position. Just to throw into the mix, he only made 14 Pro Bowls and six First-Team All-Pro selections throughout his career.  

Derrick Thomas (Outside Linebacker):

A first-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 1989, Thomas dominated the field from his first snap to his last. Recipient of the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after registering 75 tackles, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. Thomas matured very quickly and exceeded his performance of his rookie season by some distance. In his second season, the Alabama graduate led the league in 20 sacks and six forced fumbles. Thomas set the record for the most sacks ever in one game, recording seven. Setting a franchise record of a monstrous 126.5 sacks over his stella career, in addition to all the numerous forced fumbles, their recoveries and safeties.

Tragically, Thomas’ career came to an end, in 2000 he was involved in a car accident which saw him lose his life. Still playing at the very top of his game, this was a devastation for all Chiefs and NFL fans, to lose such a great talent in the prime of his career. Retiring his number 58 jersey and naming the franchise MVP award in his honour, are just some of the many ways Derrick Thomas memory lives on forever.