NFL Team History- the Kansas City Chiefs

Hank Stram, the former head coach of the University of Miami, was hired as the Dallas Texans first coach. The Texans shared the Cotton Bowl with the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys.

On September 16, 1960, the Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders 34-16 for the franchise's first regular season victory. They would conclude their introductory season with a respectable 8-6 record.

In 1962, the Texans would finish the season with a remarkable 11-3 record. Their proficiency was enough to earn them the AFL Western Division title. The title set the stage for a stimulating Texas face-off for the AFL Championship, as they were matched-up against Houston Oilers. The game was so evenly matched that it took two overtimes to decide the game. The Texans kicker Tommy Brooker kicked the game-winning field goal as the Texans won by a score of 20-17.

Despite the fact that an AFL Championship belonged to the city of Dallas, Lamar Hunt relocated the franchise to Kansas City, Missouri, as Mayor H. Roe Bartle all but guaranteed him 35,000 in season ticket sales. Additionally, the city of Dallas was unable to support two professional football organizations.

It was no secret that following the repositioning to Kansas City, the nickname Texans no longer had any bearing. As a result, a fan contest was held to determine the new nickname. The franchise inherited the nickname 'Chiefs'. The team played their home games in Kansas City at Municipal Stadium in 1963.

In 1966, the Chiefs began to enjoy success in Kansas City. They were led by quarterback Len Dawson, and they enjoyed a spectacular season in which they boasted a record of 11-2-1. This led to a showdown with the Buffalo Bills in the AFL Championship Game. A 31-7 thumping of the Bills would guarantee the Chiefs the opportunity to play in the first ever AFL-NFL Championship Game, now recognized as the Super Bowl. Their AFL dominance notwithstanding, the Chiefs were overwhelmed by the NFL's Green Bay Packers. The Packers demolished the Chiefs 35-10.

Three years later, the Chiefs earned another opportunity to play in the Super Bowl as they faced the Minnesota Vikings. As time evolved, the skill-level of the teams in the AFL had caught up to that of the NFL. The year prior, the AFL Champion New York Jets bewildered the NFL's Baltimore Colts. The Chiefs became the second consecutive AFL team to capture the Super Bowl Championship with a 23-7 victory over the favored Vikings.

The Chiefs returned to the post-season in 1971; however, the next fifteen seasons would end without a post-season appearance.

In 1972, the Chiefs opened the doors to their new home, Arrowhead Stadium.

Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson would retire from the NFL after the 1975 season concluded.

In 1986, the Chiefs ended the season with a 10-6, earning them their first post-season berth since 1971, ending fifteen successive seasons of futility. Nonetheless, the Chiefs were unable to progress past the first round of the playoffs as they were defeated 35-15 by the New York Jets.

The Chiefs' on-field inadequacies persisted as the decade of the 1980's drew to a conclusion, hence, the hiring of Marty Schottenheimer as head coach in 1989. Schottenheimer had successfully guided the Cleveland Browns to the AFC Championship Game in 1986 and 1987.

The Chiefs improved in 1989, as they finished the season with respectable 8-7-1 record.

From 1990 to 1992, the Chiefs clinched a spot in the NFL post-season. In 1993, the Chiefs acquired two of the NFL's biggest stars of the 1980's; quarterback Joe Montana from the San Francisco 49ers, as well as running back Marcus Allen from the Los Angeles Raiders. That same season, the Chiefs appeared in thief first AFC Championship Game since 1969. Unfortunately, they were humbled by the Buffalo Bills with a 30-13 loss.

Following the 1994 season, Joe Montana announced his retirement. However, that did not deter the Chiefs in 1995 as they posted a 13-3 record, which became their best in franchise history. Playoff failure continued as they would lose a heartbreaker to the underdog Indianapolis Colts 10-7 in the divisional playoff game.

Following the 1998 season, Marty Schottenheimer resigned from his head coach position.

On January 23, 2000, tragedy would strike the Kansas City Chiefs franchise when linebacker Derrick Thomas was killed in an automobile accident.

In 2001, the Chiefs persuaded Dick Vermeil to take over the head coach duties. Vermeil had previously guided the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl championship in 1999.

Vermeil signed quarterback Trent Green and running back Priest Holmes.

In 2003, the Chiefs matched their franchise best 13-3 record, but once again, their Super Bowl hopes came crashing down with a 38-31 loss to the high-powered Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional playoffs.

Following the 2005 season, the Chiefs hired former New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards to supersede the retiring Dick Vermeil.

On December 13, 2006, Kansas City Chiefs owner and founder Lamar Hunt passed away.

Prior to the 2007 NFL season the Chiefs agreed to a deal that would end the contract dispute with star running back Larry Johnson.