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Lore & Background

Established in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), the Chiefs started playing in 1960 as the Dallas Texans, owned by league founder Lamar Hunt. In 1963, the team moved to Kansas City, and adopted its current name. The Chiefs joined the NFL in 1970 as a result of the AFL–NFL merger. After Hunt's death in 2006, his wife, Norma, and children became legal owners of the team. After Norma's death in 2023, the Hunt children inherited her stake. Clark Hunt has served as chairman and CEO since 2006. The Chiefs won three AFL championships (1962, 1966, 1969) and Super Bowl IV. They lost nine of nine playoff games from 1993 to 2017, including an eight-game losing streak. Since then, they have appeared in five Super Bowls since 2019, winning three: LIV, LVII, and LVIII.

In Their Own Story

The team's history is defined by specific turning points and named leaders. After moving to Kansas City, the Chiefs won the 1966 AFL Championship against the Buffalo Bills but lost Super Bowl I to the Green Bay Packers 35–10. In 1969, backup quarterback Mike Livingston led a six-game winning streak after Len Dawson suffered a leg injury, guiding the team to another AFC title before Dawson returned to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 23–7 in Super Bowl IV. Decades of struggle followed, including an eight-game losing streak and ten losses in twelve playoff games between 1993 and 2017. However, under head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive tackle Chris Jones, the team has appeared in five Super Bowls since 2019, winning LIV, LVII, and LVIII.

Reader's Guide

The Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the AFC West division. Key figures in recent dynastic success include head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Did You Know?

• The Chiefs were originally the Dallas Texans and moved to Kansas City in 1963.
• The team's name 'Chiefs' honors Mayor Harold Roe Bartle, whose nickname was 'Chief'.
• The Chiefs won Super Bowl IV, the final game before the AFL–NFL merger went into full effect.
• From 1993 to 2017, the Chiefs lost nine of nine playoff games, including an eight-game losing streak.