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The Kansas City Chiefs have a rich history, filled with lots of success. The Chiefs have had 18 players that have played in Kansas City make the Hall of Fame, but Mount Rushmore only has room for four guys.
Let's breakdown the four players who have earned a spot on the Chiefs' Mount Rushmore.
Tony Gonzalez
Tony Gonzalez is the greatest tight end in Chiefs history. On a Mount Rushmore of greatest NFL tight ends, Gonzalez's face would also appear. Gonzalez's first couple of years with the Chiefs were quiet, but when he broke out, he broke out in a big way. Gonzalez finished his Kansas City career racking up 10,940 yards and 76 touchdowns. Gonzalez was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019, his first year of eligibility.
Derrick Thomas
Derrick Thomas was selected fourth overall in the 1989 draft, and it didn't take long for the outside linebacker to become an impact player for the Chiefs. As a rookie, Thomas earned Rookie of the Year, but that was only the start of his dominance. Thomas played from with Kansas City from 1989-99 racking up 126.5 sacks during his career. Thomas also earned the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1993.
Tragically Thomas's life was taken away too soon when he died in a car crash in February of 2000.
Len Dawson
With the emergence of Patrick Mahomes, some have forgotten about the first great quarterback in Kansas City history, Len Dawson. Len Dawson led the Chiefs to three AFL championships and one Super Bowl championship. Dawson played 14 years with the Chiefs and led the league in completion percentage eight times. Dawson finished his career with the Chiefs passing for 28,057 yards, the franchise record. He was named to seven Pro Bowls was a two-time first-team All-Pro. in 1987, Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mahomes will probably break his records at some point, but he still deserves a spot on the Chiefs' Mount Rushmore.
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes isn't on the Chiefs' Mount Rushmore for what he should accomplish in his career, he is on this list because of what he has already accomplished. Mahomes has only been the full-time starter for Kansas CIty, for two seasons, and both years he has been elite. In 2018 he threw 50 touchdown passes and in 2019, even though he missed part of the season with injury, he led the team to a Super Bowl—their first victory in 50 years. During the 2019 postseason, Mahomes threw for 901 yards, 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
