Chiefs

Alternate helmets for Kansas City Chiefs? Door open but don’t count on it

A Kansas City Chiefs helmet sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
A Kansas City Chiefs helmet sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) AP

Plenty of alternate and throwback helmets are being rolled out for this NFL season. See the Bengals’ white helmet and the Giants’ and Patriots’ old school gear.

The Chiefs have worn the same KC and arrowhead logo on their helmets since their first Kansas City season in 1963. They have worn throwback helmets and uniforms, saluting their original team, the Dallas Texans. That last happened in 2009.

But could fans see a gold or black helmet as an alternate?

Probably not, but don’t slam the door.

“Honor tradition is one of our core fundamental values,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said Monday.

But...

“I don’t want to create hope where this is no hope,” Donovan said. “There’s an open discussion, there’s definitely more of a discussion than there has been. We’ve had good conversations about the opportunity. But as you can imagine, I think we’re one of a small group that’s never changed.

“It will continue to be discussed.”

Germany next overseas stop for Chiefs?

Donavan said the next Chiefs’ overseas destination for a regular-season game likely will be Germany. The NFL granted home marketing rights in Germany to the Chiefs, Tampa Bay Bucs, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers. In December, the NFL announced that 18 teams had been granted access to 26 international markets for the purpose of “marketing, fan engagement and commercialization.”

The Bucs are playing the first regular-season game in Munich this season. An AFC team figures to get the call for next season when that conference plays nine regular-season games. Another connection: Bayern Munich soccer club is partners with MLS franchise FC Dallas, which is owned by the Hunt family.

“We want to get there sooner rather than later,” Donavan said.

Donovan said the Chiefs were “probably” the fifth-largest NFL brand in Germany, and outside the top 10 in Mexico, site of their most recent international game, in 2019.

Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan speaks to reporters after a press conference during training camp in St. Joseph on Monday, July 25, 2022.
Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan speaks to reporters after a press conference during training camp in St. Joseph on Monday, July 25, 2022. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

This story was originally published July 25, 2022 at 2:50 PM.

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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