Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Football Fever
Can you imagine rooting for the Kansas City Texans? Team owner, Lamar Hunt, once considered keeping the nickname of the team he brought to our town from Dallas in 1963. Instead, after considering such monikers as the “Steers,” the “Mules,” and, yes, even “Royals,” Hunt decided on the “Chiefs” in honor of Kansas City’s Native American heritage. (It didn’t hurt that “Chief” was also the nickname of Kansas City mayor, R.H. Bartle.)
In choosing Kansas City as the Chiefs’ home base, Hunt said that he was impressed with our “support of sports.” He couldn’t have imagined just how supportive Kansas City fans would become over the years.
Today, after many winning seasons, numerous playoffs and a coveted Super Bowl title, football fever remains at a fevered pitch. During the season, workplaces are often a sea of red on the “Red Fridays” prior to each Sunday game. And Kansas City has turned tailgating into an art form with elaborate barbecue pits and decked-out RVs.
Though the Midwest can dole out some pretty nasty weather during football season, Chiefs fans don’t seem to be bothered, though the idea of building a domed stadium is as old as the team. When the Chiefs first came to town, city officials hoped to build them a domed stadium in the heart of downtown. But high construction and energy costs caused the plan to be scrapped and an open-air stadium complex was built east of the city.
Arrowhead Stadium opened in 1972 and, a year later, its new neighbor, the Royals baseball team, moved into its new home at now-named Kaufmann Stadium. They remain two of the most attractive stadiums in sports. Pick up a ticket and see for yourself.
Erected by Kansas City International Airport. (Marker Number B9.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.
Location. 39° 18.746′ N, 94° 42.234′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Platte County. Marker is at Passenger Kiosk B9, in Economy Parking Lot B, at Kansas City International Airport, 601 Brasilia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kansas City MO 64153, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rail Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Art and Soul (about 400 feet away); The American Royal (about 400 feet away); Home of BBQ (about 500 feet away); KC: On Flight (about 600 feet away); Mouse Tale (about 600 feet away); Hale: The Firepole (approx. 0.2 miles away); Atkins Gift (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.
More about this marker. The Economy Parking Lots' passenger kiosks each have unique historical markers and flashy artwork to help passengers remember where they parked.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Kansas City Chiefs. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Lamar Hunt. Pro Football Hall of Fame website entry (Submitted on June 6, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on June 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on June 6, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.