What Kansas City Chiefs Numbers Are Retired?

Have you ever wondered why you don’t see any Kansas City Chiefs players wearing the numbers 3, 16, 18, 28, 33, 36, 58, 63, 78, or 86? That’s because those numbers belong to some of the greatest Chiefs players of all time, and their jerseys have been retired as a way to honor them forever!

When a player is so amazing that they change the franchise forever, their number gets retired so no other player can ever wear it again. It’s like getting your jersey hung up in the rafters of the arena! In this article, we’ll take a look at each of these legendary players to understand why their numbers are so special in Chiefs kingdom.

#3 – Kicking Off the Retired Numbers: Jan Stenerud

First up is number 3, which belonged to Jan Stenerud. Jan played for the Chiefs from 1967-1979 and is considered one of the best kickers in NFL history. He was the first kicker ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

During his time in Kansas City, Jan racked up a ton of points by kicking field goals and extra points. He even helped the Chiefs win their very first Super Bowl in 1970! Jan’s powerful kicks sailed through the uprights time and time again, making him a key weapon for the Chiefs offense.

After an incredible career, the Chiefs retired Jan’s #3 jersey in 1992. No Chiefs player has worn that number since, and Jan’s excellence is memorialized forever!

#16 – The Legendary Len Dawson

The #16 jersey belonged to Len Dawson, the best quarterback in Chiefs history and a true NFL legend. Len played for the Chiefs from 1963 to 1975 and led the team to victories consistently while putting up record setting numbers.

In 1966, Len had one of the greatest seasons ever for a QB, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns! He went on to achieve amazing feats like:

• Winning Super Bowl IV and the Super Bowl MVP award
• Going to 7 Pro Bowls
• Having his name on about 20 franchise passing records
• Being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987

Len’s exciting passing and poised leadership made him into “Lenny the Cool”. His #16 was never worn by another Chiefs player following his retirement.

#18 – The Blanket Coverage of Emmitt Thomas

The #18 jersey was worn by defensive back Emmitt Thomas, one of the toughest cornerbacks during the late 1960s and 70s. Emmitt played for Kansas City from 1966–1978 where he picked off opposing quarterbacks a whopping 58 times!

Emmitt was a true ball hawk in the secondary. When QBs dared to throw his way, he made them pay over and over again. Emmitt snagged 5 or more interceptions in a season six different times! His sticky fingers frustrated so many receivers, helping Kansas City’s defense dominate games during his career.

For his ferocious coverage, Emmitt rightly earned his bust in Canton as a Hall of Famer. His #18 jersey joined the other retired numbers in 2008.

#28 – The First Chiefs Superstar, Abner Haynes

Way back when the team started as the Dallas Texans in 1960, a guy named Abner Haynes wore the #28 jersey. Although his career was short (just 5 seasons with the franchise), Abner made a huge impact as one of the AFL’s first superstars.

Playing running back, receiver and kick returner, Abner could score from anywhere on the field. During the Texans 1962 championship run, he exploded for 1,100+ total yards and 16 touchdowns! Abner took home MVP honors that magical year.

When the Texans moved to Kansas City in 1963, Abner came too. His versatile scoring abilities kept terrorizing opposing teams. Haynes became the Chiefs first Pro Bowl player for his memorable playmaking talent. His #28 jersey became forever honored after he left the Chiefs.

Numbers 33 and 36 – Gone but Never Forgotten

The next two retired jerseys belong to Stone Johnson (#33) and Mack Lee Hill (#36). Sadly, both of these young players passed away during their careers, leaving a lasting impact.

Stone Johnson signed with the Chiefs as an Olympic sprinter and running back. Tragically, he suffered a serious neck injury in the preseason and died 10 days later at just 23 years old. Although he never played a regular season game, Stone’s inspirational life and sad death in the Chiefs uniform was enough for #33 to be immortalized.

Mack Lee Hill was an up and coming running back who rushed for over 500 yards his rookie year. After suffering a knee injury in 1965 however, Mack underwent surgery but shockingly died on the operation table. Just 25 years old, Mack’s death stunned many fans. To honor him, #36 was retired that offseason.

#58 – Derrick Thomas, A Fearsome Legend

If you love quarterback sacks, then you surely know Derrick Thomas! This ferocious linebacker played his entire Hall of Fame career from 1989-1999 with the Chiefs, donning the #58. Derrick attacked QBs relentlessly, setting a single game record with 7 sacks!

For his nonstop motor and giant plays behind the line of scrimmage, Derrick stacked up accolades:

• 126.5 Career Sacks
• NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
• 9 Pro Bowl Selections
• Member of the 1990s All-Decade Team

Chiefs fans far and wide adored witnessing Derrick’s chaotic disruption against opposing offenses. Tragically like some other legends however, Derrick also passed too young after an auto accident in 2000. Two years later, the team retired #58 to memorialize Derrick Thomas forever.

#63 – Willie Lanier’s Hard Hitting Hall of Fame Career

If you thought Derrick Thomas crushed opponents, wait til you learn about Willie Lanier! This nasty middle linebacker anchored the Chiefs defense from 1967-1977, wearing the #63. Willie’s bone-jarring hits intimidated all running backs and receivers who dared cross his path!

During his 11 year career, Willie punished his way to AFL All-Star and Pro Bowl selections, plus a Super Bowl ring in 1970. By violently attacking anyone with the ball, Willie struck fear into opponents every game. They definitely needed some extra padding when Willie came around!

For his nonstop havoc and 5 First-team All-Pro seasons, Willie was rightly enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1986. The Chiefs officially retired his #63 jersey in 1992 to remember Willie’s tenacious legacy.

#78 and #86 – More Canton Greats from the Curtain Defense

The last two retired Chiefs numbers belong to Hall of Famers Bobby Bell (#78) and Buck Buchanan (#86). This ferocious duo were core pieces along the defensive line for the Chiefs stacked squad in the 1960s and early 70s. Chiefs fans dubbed them the “Curtain Defense” for blanketing opposing offenses so well!

Bobby manned both defensive end and linebacker during his amazing 12 year Chiefs run. He intercepted passes, stuffed running lanes, and blitzed QBs with reckless abandon! Bobby’s athletic brilliance netted him 9 Pro Bowl nods and 6 First-team All-Pro selections on his way to Canton greatness. To display Bobby’s excellence forever, KC retired his #78 jersey in 1984.

Meanwhile, Buck Buchanan clogged up the middle at defensive tackle with his towering 6’7” frame. Buck swatted down anything near him for 13 dominant seasons, including the Chiefs first Super Bowl victory. His giant presence netted 2 Pro Bowls, 2 First-team All-Pro years and ultimately the Hall of Fame as well. With Buck tormenting opposing offenses on every play, the Chiefs lifted his #86 to the rafters in 1992.

Chiefs Kingdom Forever!

And there you have it – the 10 retired Chiefs numbers and the incredible players who wore them! These Chiefs carved their names into franchise history with bold playmaking and legendary careers.

Donning the red and gold, they created so many memorable moments for this organization. That’s why you’ll find their retired jerseys commemorated at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium forever.

So next time you catch a Chiefs game, make sure to check out these Hall of Fame honorees. Their excellence set the standard for this championship culture, helping all the Kingdom’s current stars you watch today!