The History and Evolution of the Kansas City Chiefs Logo

Taking a trip back in time, we’re exploring the history of one of the most well-known teams in the league and one that played a role in the merger that occurred between the NFL and AFL to bring us the game we love so much today.

The history of the Kansas City Chiefs

Perhaps one of the most iconic in the entire NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs logo is the identifying symbol of the professional football team; the team, which is now based in Kansas City, was originally founded in the 1960s by Lamar Hunt.

Interestingly, the team’s original idea for its name came from its first location in Dallas, Texas. It was 1959 and Hunt was having difficulties in his efforts to get an NFL football license.

Then he made the decision to found his own soccer league, the American Football League. With Hunt as president, the new league had eight teams when it began play in the 1960s.

The “Dallas Texans” was the name Hunt selected for the franchise, in a clear nod to his hometown.

However, fate would have other plans for Hunt and his team. In 1963, the Texans moved to Kansas City, where they became the Chiefs.

Although, of course, there was competition from the NFL, they became one of the top football teams in the United States, drawing a multitude of fans from all over the country.

Today that tradition continues, and the Chiefs have won multiple Super Bowl titles in the modern era. It’s worth noting that Hunt is largely credited as the architect behind the subsequent merger of the NFL and AFL.

How did the Kansas City Chiefs logo come about?

As mentioned above, the Chiefs were once known as the Texans, and because of that, there was a completely different logo on the team’s jerseys.

The team’s original symbol was a running gunslinger in a wide-brimmed hat, a pigskin football in one hand and a pistol in the other.

The gunman, who was wearing cowboy boots and a T-shirt that read “Texans,” was superimposed on a map of the state of Texas. Needless to say, it wasn’t a good fit for the team when they moved in in 1963, resulting in that symbol being replaced with a Native American superimposed over the Midwestern states.

In any case, there were some similarities, i.e. the character was still running, there was a map as a backdrop, and he was holding a football in one hand, while in the other hand, however, now he was holding a small red axe. .

In regards to the thinking behind the logo, it is understood that the image was intended to convey the vigor and determination of the team, while promoting their agility and strength.

Finally, the map of Texas was replaced by one representing the states of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Iowa.

The Chiefs logo in the modern era

As you have probably noticed, the modern logo is much more minimalist in nature. When it debuted in 1972, not only had the running man been completely removed, but many other details had also been removed, including the map. Instead, there was a single shape and the letters “KC” once again in front.

In regards to the font of the letters, some have suggested that Hunt himself was the person who drew them in 1963, when he was trying to create the first images of what the Chiefs might look like.

What about the colors of the Kansas City Chiefs?

Today, the Chiefs logo is as recognizable as the NFL itself. While the logo has evolved, the red, yellow/gold, black, and white colors continue.

In fact, while there has been no official word on why the specific colors were chosen, it’s worth noting that they’ve always been the same, regardless of any cosmetic changes that have been made to the logo.

2023-09-07 04:50:06
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