Top 20 Kansas City Chiefs Players to Never Win a Super Bowl
LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki helped lead their basketball teams to the 2011 NBA Finals. James and Nowitzki were considered two of the best players in NBA history to never earn a ring. Nowitzki has graduated from that list while James continues his quest of winning a title.
The Kansas City Chiefs have only one Lombardi Trophy at One Arrowhead Drive. Many players have entered the franchise and accomplished a lot during their time in Kansas City. But in the end, they were unable to leave Kansas City with a Super Bowl ring.
Many of you are wondering how this list will be compiled. Here are the qualifications:
- Zero Super Bowl rings during their time in Kansas City.
- No longer playing in Kansas City.
- Players currently playing in Kansas City are excluded.
Players who won a Super Bowl, before or after playing for the Chiefs, can still make the list as long as they meet the requirements above.
Players 20-11
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20. Kimble Anders, FB
19. Christian Okoye, RB
18. Larry Johnson, RB
17. Nick Lowery, K
16. Art Still, DE
15. Jack Rudnay, C
14. Dale Carter, CB
13. Albert Lewis, CB
12. Willie Roaf, OT
11. Sherrill Headrick LB
10. Deron Cherry, S
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While the Chiefs struggled and had only two seasons over .500 in the 1980s, Deron Cherry brought some positivity in Kansas City as one of the best safeties during his era.
During his 11 years with the Chiefs, Cherry became third in franchise history in interceptions with 50 and has collected more tackles than any safety that has played for the Chiefs with 927.
Cherry was voted to the Pro Bowl six times in his career.
9. Joe Montana, QB
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After spending 14 seasons with San Francisco, Joe Montana led the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories. But injuries slowed him down in the early 1990s and the 49ers traded Montana to Kansas City in April 1993.
Montana’s numbers were not staggering compared to what he put up before, throwing for 2,144 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first year with the Chiefs. However, his leadership was a key role in helping the Chiefs reach the AFC Championship game.
Although Montana spent only two seasons with Kansas City, he helped the Chiefs reach the conference championship game for the first time since the NFL/AFL merger.
Montana was voted to the Pro Bowl eight times. He represented the 49ers seven times and had the opportunity to represent the Chiefs once.
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8. Trent Green, QB
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In the 1999 preseason, Trent Green suffered a season-ending injury while playing for the St. Louis Rams. That opened up the door for Kurt Warner, who led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory. Green was eventually chased out of St. Louis due to Warner’s success.
In 2001, fans yawned when they learned that Green had signed a contract with the Chiefs. In his first year in Kansas City, Green threw for 17 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Fans in Kansas City wanted Green out of town following his first season as a Chief. In 2003, Green turned into one of the best quarterbacks in the league. From 2003-05, Green threw for over 4,000 passing yards and placed second each season.
After spending six seasons with the Chiefs, Green became second in franchise history in passing yards, touchdowns and completions.
Green was voted to the Pro Bowl twice in his career, both of them with the Chiefs.
7. Neil Smith, DE
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Neil Smith spent his first nine years in the league in Kansas City. Smith ranks second in franchise history in sacks. His best season was in 1993 when he led the league in sacks with 15. Smith found a lot of success in Kansas City, but could never reach the Super Bowl.
In 1997, Smith left Kansas City and signed with Denver. Smith’s journey of winning a Super Bowl did not take long as the Broncos captured two Super Bowls in back-to-back seasons.
Smith was voted to the Pro Bowl six times in his career. He went in as a Chief five times and as a Bronco once.
6. Marcus Allen, RB
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Marcus Allen spent 11 years with the Los Angeles—now Oakland—Raiders. His most memorable season was during the 1983-84 season in which the Raiders became Super Bowl champions and Allen won the Super Bowl MVP. In 1985, Allen went on to win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award after rushing for over 1,700 yards. However, that was the last time Allen would rush for over 1,000 yards. He was eventually let go after the 1992 season.
In 1993, the Chiefs came away with a huge pickup as they signed Allen. In his first season with the Chiefs, Allen led the AFC in rushing touchdowns with 12 and helped the Chiefs reach the AFC Championship game. Although the Chiefs were unable to get through the Buffalo Bills, Allen went on to spend four more remarkable seasons with the Chiefs.
Allen was voted to the Pro Bowl six times. He represented the Raiders five times and the Chiefs once. He was also a recipient of the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1993 in his first season as a Chief. He is the second player in franchise history to earn this honor. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003 as a Chief, despite most of his success taking place while he was with the Raiders.
5. Tony Richardson, FB
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Tony Richardson was undrafted coming out of Auburn and was unable to earn a spot on the 53-man roster with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. Kansas City gave Richardson a second chance in 1995. Richardson made the most of it for 10 seasons.
Richardson was a key asset in helping the Chiefs find success in the running game. Richardson helped Marcus Allen receive his 100th career rushing touchdown. He was also a factor in helping Priest Holmes earn three 1,000-yard seasons and allowing Larry Johnson earn one 1,000-yard season in 2005.
Although Richardson could not win a Super Bowl before, during or after his time in Kansas City, he played for the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets and provided big holes for Chester Taylor, Adrian Peterson, Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Richardson was voted to the Pro Bowl three times in his career. He represented the Chiefs twice and the Vikings once.
4. Will Shields, OG
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As an offensive guard, Will Shields helped tailbacks Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson succeed and become some of the best running backs in the league during their years as starters. Shields was also a key asset in the passing game, as he helped Joe Montana, Steve Bono, Elvis Grbac, Rich Gannon and Trent Green make plays.
In 2003, Shields was part of one of the most dynamic offenses in franchise history and was considered to be part of one of the best groups of offensive linemen in league history that helped the Chiefs win 13 games.
In his 14 years in the league, Shields was voted to the Pro Bowl 12 times. Shields made it to the Pro Bowl every year from 1995-2006. Shields played in 224 games and started in 223. His only missed start was in his NFL debut in 1993. Shields has appeared in more games than any guard currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2003, Shields became a recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
3. Priest Holmes, RB
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Although Priest Holmes did win a Super Bowl ring in 2001 with the Baltimore Ravens, he was Jamal Lewis’ backup and his action on the field was kept to a minimum.
Coming to Kansas City in 2001, Holmes had a lot he wanted to prove. From 2001-03, Holmes ran for 1,400 yards in his first three years with the Chiefs. In 2002, he became the first player in franchise history to earn the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Despite going undrafted coming out of the University of Texas in 1997, Holmes set franchise rushing records for yards and touchdowns. His career declined due to multiple injuries he sustained throughout his career with the Chiefs.
Holmes was voted to the Pro Bowl three times in his career. He was sent to the Pro Bowl only as a Chief.
2. Tony Gonzalez, TE
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Tony Gonzalez has the most receptions, yards and touchdowns among any player in franchise history. Gonzalez also holds the league record for most receptions, yards and touchdowns in a career by a tight end.
Despite being part of multiple dynamic offenses in 1997 and 2003, Gonzalez was not only unsuccessful in reaching the Super Bowl, but he has never earned a victory in the postseason.
Gonzalez was traded to Atlanta in 2008, hoping he’d earn a playoff win as well as a Super Bowl ring before he retires. He has yet to do so. Gonzalez said during an interview on NFL Network that if there is a lockout for the entire 2011 season, his body may not allow him to play in 2012, which will force him to retire.
Although Gonzalez struggled to win in the postseason, it will never take away the memories the future Hall of Famer gave to Chiefs fans. Entering the field to slam dunks over the field-goal post, Gonzalez always gave Chiefs fans a reason to cheer.
Gonzalez was voted to the Pro Bowl 10 times as a Chief and once as a Falcon.
1. Derrick Thomas, LB
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Derrick Thomas is arguably the best defensive player in franchise history. Thomas holds the franchise record for sacks, forced fumbles and safeties. Despite the loss and the missed sack late in the game against Seattle, his shining moment came against the Seahawks in 1990 when he shattered an NFL record for most sacks in a single game. Dave Krieg was sacked seven times by Thomas.
Many considered Thomas as a quarterback’s biggest nightmare. Offensive coordinators would spend countless hours trying to figure out how to stop Thomas. In the end, there was no stopping the hungry linebacker.
Thomas spent all 11 seasons in the league with the Chiefs. Although Thomas never won a Super Bowl ring, he brought excitement to Arrowhead Stadium and fans at home every Sunday.
Thomas was voted to the Pro Bowl nine times in his career. In 1993, he became a recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Thomas was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
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