Ty Law – From The Middle Blog

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most important franchises in professional football history. Their story begins not in Kansas City, but in 1959, when Lamar Hunt founded the Dallas Texans as one of the original franchises of the American Football League (AFL). The Texans became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, and the franchise has remained in the Hunt family ever since. From the great AFL teams of the 1960s to the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have produced Hall of Fame players, championship teams, legendary coaches and some of the greatest moments in NFL history. As of the beginning of the 2026 season, the franchise had won four Super Bowls: Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII. The Beginning: The Dallas Texans Lamar Hunt founded the franchise in 1959 as the Dallas Texans. The team became a charter member of the new American Football League and began playing in 1960. The Texans quickly became one of the AFL’s strongest teams. In 1962, Dallas won the AFL Championship in a dramatic double-overtime victory over the Houston Oilers. Despite the championship, Hunt concluded that Dallas could not adequately support both his team and the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. He therefore moved the franchise to Kansas City after the 1962 season. The team officially became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. The move was enormously successful. Kansas City immediately embraced the new franchise, and the Chiefs eventually became one of the AFL’s signature teams. All Chiefs Owners One of the most remarkable aspects of Chiefs history is the continuity of ownership. The franchise has never been sold outside the Hunt family. Lamar Hunt — 1959-2006 Lamar Hunt was the founder, original owner and guiding force behind the franchise. He owned the team from its creation as the Dallas Texans in 1959 until his death in 2006. Hunt was also one of the founders of the American Football League and played a major role in the AFL-NFL merger. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972. Hunt is also widely credited with helping popularize the name “Super Bowl.” Norma Hunt and the Hunt Family — 2006-2023 Following Lamar Hunt’s death in December 2006, ownership remained within the Hunt family. His wife, Norma Hunt, and their four children became involved in ownership of the franchise. Norma Hunt became one of the most recognizable figures in NFL history. She was known as the “First Lady of Football” and attended every Super Bowl from the first game through her death in 2023. The Four Hunt Family Ownership Groups — Present Today, the Chiefs are owned by the families of Lamar Hunt’s four children: Lamar Hunt Jr. Sharron Hunt Clark Hunt Daniel Hunt Clark Hunt serves as chairman and CEO and is the family’s principal representative in the operation of the franchise. The Chiefs therefore remain one of the NFL’s longest continuously family-owned franchises. Every Stadium the Chiefs Have Called Home The franchise has had three principal home stadiums when the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs history is considered together. Cotton Bowl — Dallas, Texas 1960-1962 The original Dallas Texans played their home games at the Cotton Bowl. The stadium was already one of the best-known football venues in Texas, and it served as the franchise’s home during its three seasons in Dallas. The Texans won the 1962 AFL Championship while playing at the Cotton Bowl. Municipal Stadium — Kansas City, Missouri 1963-1971 After moving to Kansas City, the newly renamed Chiefs played at Municipal Stadium. The stadium was located at 22nd Street and Brooklyn Avenue and had previously been used by the Kansas City Athletics baseball club. Municipal Stadium became the birthplace of Kansas City Chiefs football. Some of the greatest players in franchise history began their Chiefs careers there, including Len Dawson, Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Willie Lanier, Emmitt Thomas and Johnny Robinson. The Chiefs played their final game at Municipal Stadium on Christmas Day 1971, losing a dramatic overtime playoff game to the Miami Dolphins. Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, Missouri 1972-present The Chiefs moved into Arrowhead Stadium in 1972. Arrowhead quickly became one of the most recognizable stadiums in professional sports. Its steep seating bowl, loud crowd and distinctive design made it one of the most intimidating home-field advantages in the NFL. The stadium was later known as GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Arrowhead has been the home of the Chiefs through the eras of Marty Schottenheimer, Dick Vermeil, Herm Edwards, Todd Haley, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. It has also hosted some of the greatest playoff games in franchise history. Chiefs Pro Football Hall of Famers — The Chiefs Legacy The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists many former Chiefs because the players, coaches and executives associated with the franchise represent several generations of professional football excellence. For this list, the focus is on the Hall of Famers whose major football legacy was earned with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, rather than players who happened to spend a short portion of their careers in Kansas City. Bobby Bell Linebacker — Chiefs, 1963-1974 Bobby Bell was one of the great defensive players of the AFL era. He was a key member of the Chiefs’ championship defenses and became one of the most feared linebackers in professional football. Buck Buchanan Defensive Tackle — Chiefs, 1963-1975 Buck Buchanan was one of the dominant defensive linemen of the AFL. He was a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ great defenses and played in both of Kansas City’s first two Super Bowls. Curley Culp Defensive Tackle — Chiefs, 1968-1974 Culp was a powerful defensive tackle who became an important part of the Chiefs’ defense during the late AFL and early NFL years. Len Dawson Quarterback — Chiefs, 1963-1975 Len Dawson was the greatest quarterback of the early Chiefs era. He led Kansas City to the AFL Championship in 1966 and 1969 and quarterbacked the Chiefs to their historic victory in Super Bowl IV. Dawson was named… Continue reading Kansas City Chiefs: The Complete History of a Football Dynasty

Denver Broncos History: Owners, Stadiums, Hall of Famers, MVPs and the Broncos Legacy The Denver Broncos are one of the most recognizable franchises in professional football. Founded in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League, the Broncos began play in 1960 and joined the National Football League when the AFL and NFL merged in 1970. The early years were difficult. Denver struggled through most of its first decade, finishing the AFL era with a 39-97-4 record. But the franchise eventually transformed itself into one of the NFL’s most successful organizations. The Broncos have won three Super Bowls—XXXII, XXXIII and 50—and have captured AFC championships in 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2013 and 2015. The Birth of the Denver Broncos The Broncos were founded by Bob Howsam, who received an AFL franchise for Denver in 1959. Howsam had experience in professional baseball and had been involved in developing Bears Stadium, which would become the Broncos’ first regular home. The Broncos played their first regular-season game on September 9, 1960, defeating the Boston Patriots 13-10. That game was the first game ever played in the history of the American Football League. The Howsam family’s ownership lasted only briefly. Howsam sold his interest to a group headed by Gerald H. Phipps and Cal Kunz in 1961. Denver Broncos Ownership History The Broncos have had several ownership groups since their creation. Bob Howsam — 1959-1961 Robert “Bob” Howsam was the founder and original owner of the Broncos. He brought professional football to Denver by obtaining the AFL franchise. His first Broncos team went 4-9-1 in 1960, but the organization he created eventually became one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. Cal Kunz — 1961-1964 Cal Kunz became part of the ownership group that purchased the Broncos from Howsam in 1961. Kunz was an important member of the early Denver ownership group. Gerald and Allan Phipps — 1961-1981 Gerald H. Phipps and his brother Allan Phipps became the dominant owners of the Broncos. Gerald Phipps purchased the club in 1965 and became one of the most important figures in early Broncos history. Under his ownership, the team experienced its first winning season in 1973 and eventually reached its first playoffs and first Super Bowl in 1977. Gerald Phipps was later inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame. Edgar Kaiser Jr. — 1981-1984 Edgar Kaiser Jr., a member of the Kaiser family, purchased the Broncos from the Phipps ownership group in 1981. His ownership lasted only a few seasons, but it directly preceded the beginning of the greatest ownership era in franchise history. Pat Bowlen — 1984-2019 Pat Bowlen became majority owner of the Broncos in 1984 and eventually acquired 100 percent ownership. Bowlen’s ownership lasted more than three decades and included: 7 AFC championships 3 Super Bowl championships 21 winning seasons 18 playoff appearances 7 Super Bowl appearances Bowlen was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 as a contributor. His ownership era included the Broncos’ greatest sustained period of success. The Pat Bowlen Trust — 2019-2022 After Bowlen’s death in 2019, the franchise was operated through the Pat Bowlen Trust while the ownership succession process was completed. Joe Ellis served as the Broncos’ president and CEO during this transition. Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group — 2022-Present In 2022, the Broncos were purchased by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group. Rob Walton became the principal owner, while Greg Penner serves as chairman and CEO. The ownership group also includes Carrie Walton Penner and other investors. As of 2026, the Walton-Penner group remains the Broncos’ ownership group. Every Stadium the Broncos Have Called Home The Broncos have a particularly interesting stadium history because they spent their first 41 seasons almost entirely in one facility. Bears Stadium — 1960-1968 The Broncos began playing in Bears Stadium, which had originally been built in 1948 for the Denver Bears baseball club. When the Broncos entered the AFL, the stadium was expanded for professional football. It became the original home of the Denver Broncos. University of Denver Stadium — 1962 and 1963 The Broncos also used University of Denver Stadium, commonly known as Hilltop Stadium, for two home openers because Bears Stadium was unavailable. These were unusual exceptions rather than a permanent change of home field. Mile High Stadium — 1969-2000 Bears Stadium was renamed Denver Mile High Stadium in 1969. For decades, “Mile High” became almost synonymous with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos played virtually all of their home games there from 1960 through 2000. Their record in the building was 190-108-7. The stadium also became famous for its enormous crowds and intimidating home-field atmosphere. Invesco Field at Mile High — 2001-2011 In 2001, the Broncos moved into their new stadium adjacent to the old Mile High Stadium site. The new facility was initially called Invesco Field at Mile High. Sports Authority Field at Mile High — 2011-2018 The stadium was renamed Sports Authority Field at Mile High in 2011. Broncos Stadium at Mile High — 2018-2019 Following the end of the Sports Authority naming agreement, the facility temporarily became known as Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Empower Field at Mile High — 2019-Present In 2019, the stadium became Empower Field at Mile High under a 21-year naming-rights agreement. As of 2026, Empower Field remains the Broncos’ home stadium. The stadium holds approximately 76,000 fans and has continued the tradition of “Mile High” football in Denver. Broncos in the Pro Football Hall of Fame The Broncos have produced a remarkable collection of Pro Football Hall of Famers. For this list, the focus is on individuals whose Hall of Fame careers included their major Broncos accomplishments—not players whose Hall of Fame credentials were primarily earned with another franchise. John Elway… Continue reading Denver Broncos History: