The Resilient Nature of the Kansas City Chiefs Did you know that the Kansas City Chiefs were originally the Dallas Texans? Lamar Hunt played an influential role into getting the Kansas City Chiefs franchise going down the right path. He had a tenacious attitude which carried off onto his team. The Kansas City Chiefs have had strong streaks throughout their franchise including a Super Bowl win, but also have had rough streaks which have caused many roadblocks. The Kansas City Chiefs franchise has been characterized by the foundation of the team, the history throughout the decades, and the all-time greats that have stepped onto the field all due to the diligent mind of Lamar Hunt. Lamar Hunt was born in Arkansas but he grew up in Dallas …show more content…
Lamar Hunt had made the decision to get more seating for his stadium. This forced an increase in seating capacity at the Kansas City Municipal Stadium from 40,000 to 47,000. The Chiefs players loved playing for their owner, because he was such a good person in their eyes. Hunt was concerned with his player’s well-being, and he was also deeply immersed into his players’ lives. In the 1968 season, quarterback Len Dawson would go onto leading the AFL in passing yards. This was the fourth time in his career that he had done such a thing (Fleming). That year the Chiefs finished 12-2, the best in franchise history. Although they had such a great year, they ended up losing in their first playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. The 1969 season was a big one for the NFL and the Chiefs. The NFL was determined to take over the AFL and keep the league intact. At first when the AFL was formed, nobody though that it would last (Fleming). Nonetheless, Lamar Hunt and the other owners had proved everyone wrong. The AFL was disbanded after that year, and the two leagues came …show more content…
Running back Priest Holmes shed new light and hope under the Chiefs. The star captured the NFL’s rushing title in the 2001 season. In 2002, Holmes went onto winning the Offensive Player of the Year honors after his terrific season. He recorded 2,287 all-purpose yards and also recorded a high of 24 total touchdowns (“Kansas City Chiefs All Time Leaders”). Dante Hall provided them with a dynamic punt returner in the 2000s. Dante Hall provide a matchup nightmare to opposing special teams. His incredible athletic ability and intelligent mind made him an unstoppable player (Pompei). The Chiefs continued their seasons going back and forth between winning and losing until they hit rock bottom in 2008. They hit 2-14 which was the worst in franchise history. Legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez expressed a desire to be traded away to the Atlanta Falcons that year. The Chiefs were now forced to be in rebuild mode and start getting back on the right path with new players and coaches (Fleming). Lamar Hunt’s presence was still felt in the locker room even multiple years after he passed away in