Team Spirit author Mark Stewart talks about the OVERTIME web page.

Mark picks his favorite Chiefs

What’s new with the Kansas City Chiefs? That’s what this page is all about.

The Team Spirit OVERTIME website begins where the Team Spirit books end.

That’s because football never stands still … And I can never squeeze everything I want into 48 pages!

Scroll down for team updates, player profiles, and stats you won’t find in the book. Click on the videos to the left to hear me talk about Team Spirit OVERTIME as well as my favorite players. And take a look below at some of the Chiefs collectibles I have in my home—pretty cool, right?

Enjoy this site, check back whenever you like, and contact me with any questions or comments.

Would you like to buy this OVERTIME book?

Updates

2022 Season

2022 Season Roundup: Many experts thought the Chiefs had too many young players when the season began, but coach Andy Reid trusted them to get better each week and they did. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City powered its way to a 14–3 record. They won close games against the Jaguars and Bengals in the playoffs and then defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 in the Super Bowl with a great comeback in the second half. Mahomes was named NFL MVP and five other Chiefs were honored as All-Pros. Travis Kelce was the team’s go-to receiver and Chris Jones led a solid defense. Among the rookie standouts was running back Isiah Pacheco, who went from a seventh-round pick to a starter in the Super Bowl.

October 10, 2022: Travis Kelce set a weird record in a victory over the Raiders when he caught 4 touchdown passes but ended the game with a total of just 25 receiving yards. The old record for fewest yards in a 4-touchdown game was 93.

October 03, 2022: Patrick Mahomes reached 20,000 career passing yards in a win over the Buccaneers. He did so in his 67th NFL game, breaking the record of 71 games held by Matthew Stafford.

2022 Season Preview: The Chiefs lost a great player in Tyreek Hill and somehow they got better. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will still have plenty of targets, including newcomer JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the defense added top-rated young talent through the 2022 college draft. The bad news for Kansas City is that the other teams in the AFC West have improved, too. But the bad news for the Chargers, Raiders, and Broncos is that the Chiefs are sitting on a pile of draft picks that will help them for years to come.

2021 Season

2021 Season Roundup: The Chiefs overpowered their opponents in 2021 to reach the AFC Championship Game, but lost in overtime to the red-hot Bengals. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was often unstoppable, throwing for 4,839 yards and 37 touchdowns. He led an amazing comeback victory over the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. His main weapons were Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, who caught more than 200 passes between them. Linemen Frank Clark and Chris Jones led the defense

October 02, 2021: Andy Reid became the first coach in history to win 100 games with two different teams when the Chiefs beat the Eagles in Philadelphia. Reid won 140 games as coach of the Eagles.

2021 Season Preview: The Chiefs spent the off-season picking up talent on their offensive line, which is bad news for every other team in the league. Patrick Mahomes should do less scrambling, while KC’s running backs will see more holes when Mahomes hands them the football. The defense does not look great on paper, but it makes big plays in key moments—and that should be enough to punch the Chiefs’ ticket for another shot at the Super Bowl.

2020 Season

2020 Season Roundup: From the first game to the last, the Chiefs were picked by the experts to win it all. They made it to the Super Bowl, but made too many mistakes and had too many penalties to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had another sensation season, with 4,740 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce caught 105 passes and was named a first-team All-Pro, as was Tyreek Hill, who caught 87 passes. The defense—led by Chris Jones, Frank Clark, and Tyrann Mathieu—was tough and physical.

2020 Season Preview: If the Chiefs don’t win more games than any team in the AFC, then something will have gone terribly wrong. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes should only get better and he has a new weapon behind him in rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. There was room for improvement on defense last year, so this year the Chiefs went out and got Chris Jones, a human stop sign for runners who dare to go up the middle. The pass defense might be the only thing that prevents KC from a return trip to the Super Bowl.

2019 Season

2019 Season Roundup: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was unstoppable on the way to the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory in 50 years. After starting the season 6–4, Kansas City did not lose again. In the playoffs, the Chiefs beat the Texans 51–29 and the Titans 35–24. Then they defeated the 49ers in the Super Bowl 31–20. They trailed in all three games, but Mahomes and his teammates showed amazing patience and poise in their comebacks. He had a pair of terrific receivers in Tyreke Hill and Travis Kelce, while the KC defense made big plays when it mattered most.

October 3, 2019: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named AFC Player of the Month for September. In four wins, he threw for more than 1,500 yards with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

2019 Season Preview: The Chiefs looked like a sure thing to reach the Super Bowl last season, and have to be ranked among the favorites in 2019. Patrick Mahomes is an elite passer with a pair of dangerous playmakers, Travis Kelsey and Tyreek Hill, plus rookie Mecole Hardman, the fastest player on the team. The Kansas City defense needs to get better against the pass, and perhaps it will thanks to newcomers Eric Berry and Justin Houston.

2018 Season

2018 Season Roundup: The Chiefs were the best team in football until they lost in overtime of the AFC Championship Game. In his first year as a starter, Patrick Mahomes had a record-smashing season with 5,097 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. Receivers Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill had All-Pro seasons, with 190 catches and 22 touchdowns. Kansas City’s defense gave up a lot of points, but it didn’t catch up with them until their playoff loss to the Patriots.

September 16, 2018: Patrick Mahomes was named AFC Player of the Week for the second week in a row. His 10 touchdown passes set a record for the most in the first two games of a season. In Kansas City’s 42–37 victory over the Steelers, he also became the youngest quarterback to throw six scoring passes in a game.

2018 Season Preview: Young quarterback Patrick Mahomes will create a lot of excitement in Kansas City in 2018. Will that turn into a lot of wins? The Chiefs won 10 times last year and it will take a huge year from the offense to match that total in 2018. Mahomes will be working with two great receivers, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, and do-it-all running back Kareem Hunt. Justin Houston leads a defense that has room for improvement.

2017 Season

2017 Season Roundup: The Chiefs started and finished the year strong to make the playoffs, but lost six of seven games in the middle of the season. Those weaknesses came back to haunt them against the Titans in their Wild Card meeting, as the team blew a 21–3 halftime lead to lose 22–21. Kansas City fans still had plenty to cheer about, with QB Alex Smith, running back Kareem Hunt, and receivers Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill enjoying spectacular seasons.

September 7, 2017: Rookie Kareem Hunt gained 246 total yards on Opening Day against the Patriots. It was the most yards for a player in his first NFL game.

2017 Season Preview: The Chiefs have an excellent all-around team, but with four games against the Broncos and Raiders, there are no guarantees they will make the playoffs again. Quarterback Alex Smith got off to a quick start and had a nice year. If he can’t repeat that performance, rookie Patrick Mahomes is waiting on the sidelines. They have quality receivers in Chris Conley and Tyreek Hill. Linebacker Justin Houston, recovered from a knee injury, will anchor the defense.

2016 Season

2016 Season Roundup: The Chiefs won the AFC West with a 12–4 record. After starting the year 2–2 they lost just twice the rest of the way. Alex Smith had a solid season at quarterback and Travis Kelce had one of the best seasons ever by a tight end. The defense was led by Eric Berry and Marcus Peters, and Tyreek Hill starred on special teams. Kansas City fans thought this might be the year the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl, but they lost a close playoff game to the Steelers, 18–16.

2016 Season Preview: The Chiefs could not start any slower than they did in 2015. That’s good news for Kansas City fans, who hope quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles can lead the team to the playoffs. The defense is loaded with talent, and is led by Eric Berry, whose return from cancer last season was one of the NFL’s best stories.

2015 Season

January 3, 2016: The Chiefs became the first team ever to follow a 5-game losing streak with a 10-game winning streak.

2015 Season Preview: With Jamaal Charles running the football and the defense keeping opponents out of the end zone, the Chiefs may have enough to edge the Broncos for the AFC West title. QB Alex Smith has a new target in sure-handed Jeremy Maclin.

2014 Season

September 2, 2014: After a great 2013 season, the Chiefs will be happy to simply repeat their record in 2014. That will be challenging, as several key offensive linemen signed free agent deals with other teams. The defense—which was amazing for half the season, must play an entire year at that level. Running back Jamaal Charles will be Kansas City’s go-to guy again in 2014, and could walk away with a Player of the Year award when it’s all said and done.

2013 Season

December 15, 2013: Jamaal Charles scored five touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders. He became the first running back with four TD catches in one game, and the only player ever to catch four scoring passes and run for a touchdown in the same game.

September 23, 2013: Linebacker Justin Houston was named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in the season’s first three games. In those two games he had 7.5 sacks.

September 8, 2013: The Chiefs defeated the Jaguars 28–2. It marked the first time in league history that a game had finished with that score.

September 4, 2013: The Chiefs could be the most improved team in the AFC, thanks to new coach Andy Reid and new quarterback Alex Smith. Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe give Smith some good tools to work with. The team’s defense is led by a talented group of linebackers. Will that be enough to make up for a so-so defensive line? If all the pieces fall into place, Kansas City could surprise everyone and snag a Wild Card spot.

2012 Roundup

February 2, 2013: Nothing went right for the Chiefs in 2012. The team finished 2–12 and few of those losses were even close. Bad luck haunted the team on and off the field, and the fans ran out of patience. With the first pick in the 2013 draft, the Chiefs hope to win back the trust of their fans—who are some of the best in pro football.

Summer, 2012: Kansas City fans are excited about Jamaal Charles’ new running partner, Peyton Hillis. They give the Chiefs an awesome one-two punch. This should help Matt Cassel return from an injury in 2011 to have a good 2012 season.

More Go-To Guys

How is Johnny Robinson not in the Hall of Fame? No one played bigger in the important games, and no one on the Chiefs was a more respected leader. (Fleer Corp.)

They used to give out these giant “cards” at gas stations and grocery stores in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This one of Mike Garrett came from Kroger. (The Kroger Co.)

The Topps Chrome cards don’t actually have chrome in them, but they are kind of cool. This one shows off Matt Cassel nicely. (Topps, Inc.)

  • Johnny Robinson — Defensive Back/Running Back
    Born: 9/9/1938
    Played for Team: 1960 to 1971
    Johnny Robinson was an original member of the Chiefs. He actually joined the Dallas Texans in their first season as a running back. Robinson switched to defensive back in 1962 and became a star. He was named All-Pro each season from 1965 to 1970.

  • Otis Taylor — Receiver
    Born: 8/11/1942
    Played for Team: 1965 to 1975
    Otis Taylor had long strides and great speed. Many defensive backs thought they had him covered, only to watch him shift into a higher gear and run past them. Taylor led the NFL in receiving yards in 1971.

  • Mike Garrett — Running Back
    Born: 4/12/1944
    Played for Team: 1966 to 1970
    The Chiefs drafted Mike Garrett just a few months after he won the Heisman Trophy as college football’s best player. As a rookie, he averaged more than five yards every time he ran with the ball. The following season, Garrett rushed for more than 1,000 yards and was named All-Pro.

  • Jan Stenerud — Kicker
    Born: 11/26/1942
    Played for Team: 1967 to 1979
    Jan Stenerud was the most successful of the early soccer-style kickers. He led the AFL in field goals as a rookie. In 1991, Stenerud became the first full-time kicker to join the Hall of Fame.

  • Stephone Paige —  Receiver
    Born: 10/15/1961
    Played for Team: 1983 to 1991
    Stephone Paige was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Paige had great speed and a very athletic body. He loved catching long passes. In 1985, Paige led the NFL when he averaged nearly 22 yards per reception.

  • Larry Johnson — Running Back
    Born: 11/19/1979
    Played for Team: 2003 to 2009
    When Priest Holmes suffered a neck injury in 2004, Larry Johnson did a great job filling his shoes. He set a team record with 1,750 yards in 2005 and then broke his mark with 1,789 yards in 2006.

  • Matt Cassel — Quarterback
    Born: 5/17/1982
    Played for Team: 2009 to 2012
    When Matt Cassel joined the Chiefs, fans weren’t sure what to expect from him. In his previous four seasons, he had started a total of just 15 games. With Kansas City, Cassel proved to be a good passer and leader. In 2010, he threw 27 touchdown passes and guided the Chiefs to first place in the AFC West.

More Fun Facts

It was a great shock to football fans when Derrick Thomas died at age 33 in 2000. He had a car accident rushing to the airport on a snowy day and wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. (Topps, Inc.)

  • NO DOUBTING THOMAS
    In 1989, rookie Derrick Thomas became the first Kansas City linebacker in more than 15 seasons to be picked for the Pro Bowl. The last was Bobby Bell, in 1972. Thomas ended up playing in nine Pro Bowls during his career.

  • WHAT’S YOUR 20?
    In 1966, the Chiefs made the greatest 20th-round pick in the history of the draft. They chose Mike Garrett, the running back who had just won college football’s highest honor, the Heisman Trophy. AFL teams were so sure he would sign with the Los Angeles Rams that they didn’t want to “waste” a pick. The Chiefs were happy they did.

  • DIRECTING THE SHOW
    Also in 1966, quarterback Len Dawson was the busiest man in Kansas City. Not only did Dawson quarterback the team to the first Super Bowl, he also served as the Sports Director for KMBC TV in Kansas City.

League Leaders

I’m pretty sure this was Otis Taylor’s rookie card. He was an amazing receiver. (Topps, Inc.)

Len Dawson signed this photo. He is one of the smartest guys I’ve ever met in football. (Author’s Collection)

Bobby Hunt’s final NFL game was Kansas City’s amazing win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. Way to go out on top! (Topps, Inc.)

  • RUSHING YARDS
    1960 — Abner Haynes — 875 (AFL, as a member of the Dallas Texans)
    1989 — Christian Okoye — 1,480
    2001 — Priest Holmes — 1,555
    2017 — Kareem Hunt — 1,327

  • RECEIVING YARDS
    1971 — Otis Taylor — 1,110

  • PASSING YARDS
    No Chief has led the league in passing yards.

  • RUSHING TDs
    1960 — Abner Hyanes — 9 (tied for AFL lead, as member of the Dallas Texans)
    1961 — Abner Hyanes — 9 (tied for AFL lead, as member of the Dallas Texans)
    1962 — Abner Hyanes — 13 (tied for AFL lead, as member of the Dallas Texans)
    1965 — Curtis McClinton — 6 (tied for AFL lead)
    1993 — Marcus Allen — 12
    2002 — Priest Holmes — 21
    2003 — Priest Holmes — 27
    2013 — Jamaal Charles — 12 (tied with another player)

  • RECEIVING TDs
    1962 — Chris Burford — 12 (AFL)
    1967 — Otis Taylor — 11 (tied for AFL lead)
    2010 — Dwayne Bowe — 15

  • PASSING TDs
    1962 — Len Dawson — 29 (AFL)
    1963 — Len Dawson — 26 (AFL)
    1965 — Len Dawson — 21 (AFL)
    1966 — Len Dawson — 26 (AFL)
    2018 — Patrick Mahomes — 50

  • POINTS
    1990 — Nick Lowery — 139
    2002 — Priest Holmes — 144
    2019 — Harrison Butker — 147

  • INTERCEPTIONS
    1966 — Johnny Robinson & Bobby Hunt — 10 (tied for AFL lead)
    1969 — Emmitt Thomas — 9 (AFL)
    1970 — Johnny Robinson — 10
    1974 — Emmitt Thomas — 12
    1999 — James Hasty — 7 (tied for NFL lead)
    2015 — Marcus Peters — 8

  • SACKS
    1990 — Derrick Thomas — 20
    1993 — Neil Smith — 15
    2007 — Jared Allen — 15.5
    2014 — Justin Houston — 22.0

Playing for the Championship

SEASON GAME OPPONENT SCORE
1962* AFL Championship Houston Oilers Won 20–17 (2 OT)
1966 AFL Championship Buffalo Bills Won 31–7
1966 Super Bowl I Green Bay Packers Lost 35–10
1969 AFL Championship Oakland Raiders Won 17–7
1969 Super Bowl IV Minnesota Vikings Won 23–7
1993 AFC Championship Buffalo Bills Lost 30–13
2019 AFC Championship Tennessee Titans Won  35-24
2019 Super Bowl XLIV San Francisco 49ers Won  31-20

Would you like to buy this OVERTIME book?