The Kansas City Chiefs have a rich history filled with some superstar players and coaches who changed the game of football forever.
When people think of the Chiefs, there are some players who instantly come to mind and those are the legends we will focus on. One player who just missed the list is running back Priest Holmes, who was one of the best running backs for a few years during his prime.
Let's take a look at the five biggest legends in Chiefs history.
5. Andy Reid
Andy Reid took over the Chiefs' head coaching job in 2013 and since that point, he has done enough to be called one of the biggest legends in the team's history.
Reid has led Kansas City to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons in charge. The knock for Reid has always been not being able to win the big game, but in 2019, he finally got that monkey off his bat.
The Chiefs had to make a comeback in each of their playoff games, but they got the job done winning the Super Bowl. Depending on how many more years Reid is in charge of the team, maybe he will move up this list.
4. Tony Gonzalez
The Chiefs traded up from 18th to 13th during the 1997 NFL Draft to select tight end Tony Gonzalez. During his rookie season, Gonzalez finished with two touchdowns, but it was the next few years that he really took off.
In terms of yards, his best season was in 2000 when he caught 93 passes for 1,203 yards and nine touchdowns. During the 2003 and 2008 seasons, he had 10 touchdowns each year. Gonzalez still holds the record for receptions and receiving yards for a touchdown.
Gonzalez is still considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history, and if he would have spent his entire career with the Chiefs, he probably would have been higher up on this list.
3. Patrick Mahomes
If Patrick Mahomes wins a few more Super Bowls, there is no doubt he will be number one this list once he hangs up the cleats and retires.
During the 2017 draft, Mahomes was selected 10th overall by the Chiefs, and that might be the best draft pick in team history. Mahomes has wowed everyone with his impressive throws, but most importantly, he has won games.
With Mahomes under center, the Chiefs are never out of the game. And in 2019, he led the team to a Super Bowl. The expectation surrounding Mahomes is this is just the start of his dominance in the league.
2. Len Dawson
People might be forgetting about Len Dawson because of the emergence of Mahomes, but he was one of the best quarterbacks during his time in the league.
Dawson was with the Chiefs from 1963-1975, leading the team to four championships. During his 14-year career, he led the league in completion percentage eight times. Dawson also led the league in touchdowns four times. In the 1973 season, he was named the NFL Man of the Year.
After he retired, he was put in the Chiefs' Hall of Fame, had his number 16 retired, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Derrick Thomas
Derrick Thomas was selected fourth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. There were high expectations for what Thomas could do with the team, but he even exceeded those.
As a rookie, Thomas had 75 tackles, ten sacks, and three forced fumbles, which was enough to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year. In his second season with the league, he had 20 sacks and six forced fumbles in putting together one of the greatest seasons for a defensive player in NFL history.
During his career, Thomas racked up 126.5 sacks and 41 forced fumbles.
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