Todd Blackledge will call Chiefs game and he’s excited for a new Arrowhead experience
The Todd Blackledge era of Chiefs history isn’t regarded as one of the best, but he did help the franchise end a long playoff drought.
Blackledge was selected seventh overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, which saw seven first-rounders make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That included three quarterbacks: John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino.
While Blackledge appeared in just 40 games over five seasons with Kansas City, he helped the Chiefs make the postseason in 1986, their first playoff appearance in 15 years.
After retiring as a player, Blackledge has found great success as a broadcaster. He’s spent three decades calling football games and that’s what will bring him back to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.
Blackledge and Noah Eagle will call the Chiefs-Texans game on NBC (Ch. 41 in Kansas City), and the former Chiefs quarterback is excited to see Arrowhead in a new way.
“I haven’t been there for a long time. I’ve got a lot of great memories from my time in Kansas City and being a part of the Chiefs organization,” Blackledge said in a phone interview. “And thrilled with the success that they are having right now, and look forward to kind of being a part of it.
“Plus, when I played, it wasn’t the best of times for the Chiefs. The fan base was passionate, but we didn’t have crowds and energy and atmosphere like they have in Arrowhead now. So I’m really looking forward to experiencing that as well.”
Blackledge had just a 13-11 record as the Chiefs starting quarterback, but he forged some lifelong bonds. While back in KC, Blackledge plans to break bread with Bobby Bell Jr., son of the Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman with the Chiefs.
And while Blackledge was with the Chiefs, his father, Ron, was on the Steelers coaching staff.
Blackledge cherishes his time in Kansas City and the NFL.
“My favorite memories were just relationships and teammates and guys that I played with and friendships that I made,” he said. “And it was exciting just being in the National Football League. And when I was playing, my dad was coaching in the NFL at the same time, and so it was really kind of cool for our whole family to experience that.
“I had never been to Kansas City before I got drafted. And really fell in love with the city and the area, and enjoyed living there and restaurants and barbecue and just the whole experience. I really enjoyed it.”
Ah yes, barbecue will always be one reason why life in Kansas City is good.
This won’t be the first time Blackledge is back at Arrowhead. He called the 2006 Big 12 football championship with Mike Patrick.
Saturday’s game is bigger than that Oklahoma-Nebraska contest, which the Sooners won 21-7. The Chiefs are trying to lock up the No. 1 seed as quarterback Patrick Mahomes tries to recover from an ankle injury. And the Texans have a chance to get the No. 2 seed with help.
“It’s a big game at this time of the year,” Blackledge said. “Two teams that both clinched their division, but are now playing for the best possible playoff position and seeding that they can get. I had the Texans last year in the playoff game against the Browns, and really enjoyed watching (quarterback) C.J. Stroud play and covering him, and he played extremely well in that game, and really like him as a player and as a person.
“And, of course, Mahomes, I’m a huge fan. I love watching him, and hopefully he’ll be able to play, but I’m a huge fan of him. And I can sit and watch he and Josh Allen play the position for hours and hours. They are very entertaining guys to watch, and so it’ll be fun.”
Blackledge said he met Mahomes at last year’s Kentucky Derby and came away impressed.
“I think the world of him as a player, and I think he has handled success and stardom in an incredible fashion, and has kept things in great perspective,” Blackledge said. “He’s a fun guy to watch and I am happy for his success and what he’s done for the Chiefs and the organization, the Hunt family and the city of Kansas City.”
This story was originally published December 19, 2024 at 11:48 AM.
