Chiefs

KC Chiefs greats share draft stories, plus the origin of ‘Chiefs Kingdom’ | Podcast

October 23, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Some of the greatest players in Chiefs history were not first-round draft selections, and you’ll hear from a few of them on today’s SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.

Each has an interesting draft experience story, and Bobby Bell, Will Shields and Trey Smith share theirs.

Even though they’re from different eras, here’s one thing they have in common: Based on performance, they were woefully under-drafted, with Bell taken in the seventh round, Shields in the third and Smith in the sixth. Bell and Shields are now Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Also, you’ll hear about the origin of “Chiefs Kingdom.” Chiefs fans are expected to be out in force during the NFL Draft at Union Station this week, and you’ll hear Chiefs Kingdom used often. It was the brainchild of longtime radio broadcaster Mitch Holthus, who shares the story of how he came up with the term.

This story was originally published April 25, 2023 at 12:58 PM with the headline "KC Chiefs greats share draft stories, plus the origin of ‘Chiefs Kingdom’ | Podcast."

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Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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