Chiefs fans including Kayla Spitzer of Independence, second from left, yelled as celebrated at KC Live! in the Kansas City Power & Light District as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens, 17-10, for the AFC Championship on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Kansas City.
Tammy Ljungblad
tljungblad@kcstar.com
From the early days at Municipal Stadium to the roaring crowds of Arrowhead, Kansas City Chiefs fans have always been the heart of the team. In the 1960s, when the Chiefs first arrived, fans embraced them with open arms, painting the city red and packing stadiums with an energy that rivaled the team’s fiercest plays.
Fans pack the streets of Kansas City during a parade in 1970 to celebrate the Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl IV. Kansas City Star archives
Through decades of highs and lows, their loyalty never wavered. Generations of fans passed down stories of Len Dawson’s brilliance, heartbreaks in the playoffs, and the unwavering hope that “next year” would bring glory. Even during the lean years, Arrowhead remained a fortress, its stands filled with red-and-gold faithful.
After signing an autograph, Chiefs running back Christian Okoye shook the hand of 9-year-old Phil Walter of Olathe in 1991 at Merle Harmon’s Fan Fair in the Indian Springs Shopping Center. Kansas City Star archives
This photo gallery celebrates the Chiefs Kingdom—fans from many eras, captured in moments of passion, joy, and resilience. From the first Super Bowl in 1970 to the record-breaking roars of today, these images tell the story of a fanbase whose devotion has only grown stronger. Chiefs Kingdom isn’t just a crowd—it’s a legacy.
Checking the scoreboard at Arrowhead Stadium in this 1980 photo, Curtis Hopper, Kansas City, Kansas, returns to his seat from the concession stand. The Chiefs also had their hands full and lost to the Baltimore Colts, 31-24. Kansas City Star archives
Joseph D. McManara, 38-year-old New York police officer who became Kansas City Chief of Police in 1973, and his family contemplate becoming Kansas City Chiefs fans with a pennant McNamara took home in suburban Valley Cottage, N.Y. Left to right with McNamara are Laura McNamara, 7, Mrs. Rochelle McNamara, Karer McNamara, 5, and Donald McNamara, 8. Kansas City Star archives
A large crowd of devoted fans welcomed Kansas City Chiefs safety Deron Cherry (center) and the rest of the team as they returned to the Kansas City International Airport in this 1991 photo. The team lost their play-off contest to the Buffalo Bills 37-14 in Buffalo. Kansas City, Mo., police estimated about 600 fans came out to welcome the team home. Kansas City Star archive
Kansas City Chiefs’ fan Terry DeCourcy of Shawnee painted his face to show his loyalty in 1992. Kansas City Star archives
Abel Gonzalez, right, and brother Adrian Gonzalez call themselves the “Super Chief Brothers.” The moniker must have a basis in truth because these fans of 22 years follow the Chiefs all over the country. Abel lived in Los Angeles, and Adrian in New Mexico. They were part of a sold-out crowd at Arrowhead Stadium in 1992. Kansas City Star archives
Tailgaters pack the parking lot surrounding Arrowhead Stadium before the start of a 2001 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. Kansas City Star archives
Young tailgaters got a visit from X-Factor, also known as Ty Rowton of Shawnee, in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot before the Kansas City Chiefs game against the St. Louis Rams in 2004. Kansas City Star archives
Kansas City Chiefs fans gather in the parking lot outside Arrowhead Stadium for a pre-game tailgate party before the first game of the 1998 season. Kansas City Star archives
Chiefs fans from left, Jimmie Clark of East St. Louis, Andrew Kang of Kansas City , and his brother, Joonyoung Yang, right, who flew in from South Korea Sunday for the Chiefs game with his brother, celebrate a touchdown at the Power & Light District to watch the AFC Championship game between Kansas City and Baltimore on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs fan Laura Ford-Arunakul, Blue Springs, Mo., was wearing the team colors for during Super Bowl LVII Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. Kansas City Star archives
A Kansas City Chiefs fan screams during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Kansas City Star archives
Lesli Shultz, Bonner Springs, Kan., was decked out in her Chiefs war paint during Sunday’s AFC Championship Game on January 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Star archives
A Kansas City Chiefs fan dressed as Dr. Seuss’s “The Grinch” gives a thumbs up during an NFL football game against the Los Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium during on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, in Kansas City. Kansas City Star archives
Kansas City Chiefs fan Daniel Nelson is seen decked out in Chiefs gear at the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Follow More of Our Reporting on Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 2025
Monty Davis is a video producer and has been with The Kansas City Star for 20 years. He specializes in telling human interest video stories using mobile gear such as his iPhone 13 Pro. Recently he took up an interest in deltiology which is the study and collection of postcards. From that came a new series for The Star called Past | Present. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with family, his pugs, kayaking and reading historical biographies about the American Revolution and the Civil War.
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