Are there any loyal Chiefs remaining?

[Connie Jo]

Even during the Free Agency era, once upon a time there were Chiefs players that were as true to the Chiefs team as we diehard fans are. Some have left the Chiefs of their own free will, others not. To name a few over the years that bled red and gold:

Derrick Thomas (RIP)
Neil Smith
Tony Gonzalez
T-Rich
Priest Holmes
Kimble Anders
Will Shields
Dave Szott
Tim Grunhard
Kevin Ross
Dan Saleaumua
John Alt

Those listed above were personalities of which it wasn't 'always' about the money for them to stay a Chief. Yeah, Tony G. bailed for a shot at a SB, but I believe he's still true to the Chiefs in heart, so he's included. I'm wondering though, are there any on the current roster of which have the personality potential to stay a Chief out of loyalty, assuming they're not cut/traded of course?

It's kind of sad really, to think the days of players remaining with the Chiefs for most of their careers may not return. It appears to be that way throughout the NFL, with exception of star QB's of course, and becoming moreso each season. Times of change I suppose.

[Connie Jo]

Originally Posted by endzonewillie

The men I would exclude from this list are the following:
Neil Smith
Tony Gonzalez
T-Richardson
These men have basically thought of themself only and did not prove to be loyal Chiefs players.
Neil Smith went to Denver for money, whatever.
Tony G. went to a team that he thought would get him a ring and he was wrong, totally selfish reason to leave a team.
Tony Richardson basically left the team to make more money and to avoid the coaching staff. I understand avoiding Herm but still selfish thinking.
When I think of players that are loyal to a team I think of players that are drafted by the team and remain on that team until they either retire. 2 of the 3 I mentioned are still playing and Tony Richardson is playing in the AFC Championship this weekend. I am glad that happened for him and very glad it didn't happen for Tony G.

Well, I can certainly understand why some feel Tony Gonzalez shouldn't be on the list. I simply choose to give him benefit of doubt all facts considered related to his leaving KC.

As far as Neil and T-Rich, I will disagree. Neither left the Chiefs over money. T-Rich offered to take a sizeable pay cut to stay in KC. Neil's leaving had to do with conflict related to a QB controversy, which I explained in a previous post in this thread. Neither left the Chiefs by their choice...it was Peterson's choice.

[Connie Jo]

Originally Posted by chief31

I don't blame a player for not being loyal to any team. The team is not going to be so loyal to them. It is, most definitely, a business to the team, and they will, almost every time, squeeze a player for every nickle.

If you show loyalty to a team, then expect that team to take advantage of you for it.

As rare as it is to see a player show that kind of loyalty, it even more rare to see a team do it.

P.S. Add Peyton Manning to that list of players who have volunteered for paycuts. (Or so I have heard.)

Hammer meet's nail on head! I see these reasons as being the factor's more than any other, as to why a majority of player's no longer are loyal to their teams.

The true victim is the fan. As a fan, it's disheartening to become partial to a particular player, only to see him traded, cut, or released by a GM and/or management due to profit. I understand profit is the #1 purpose of the NFL & franchise's, however...those rare players who have proven without doubt to give their hearts and time to the community should be given value for such by the franchise...but, of course that value appears ignored.

I believe prior to his not being healthy, and turning control over to others...Lamar was an owner which did consider a player's value beyond the field. I believe Lamar did have a sense of loyalty towards those player's he felt were loyal to the Chiefs, the fans, and the community.

[endzonewillie]

Originally Posted by Connie Jo

Well, I can certainly understand why some feel Tony Gonzalez shouldn't be on the list. I simply choose to give him benefit of doubt all facts considered related to his leaving KC.

As far as Neil and T-Rich, I will disagree. Neither left the Chiefs over money. T-Rich offered to take a sizeable pay cut to stay in KC. Neil's leaving had to do with conflict related to a QB controversy, which I explained in a previous post in this thread. Neither left the Chiefs by their choice...it was Peterson's choice.

I did not read the entire 4 pages of posts . I only read the first one and replied to it. Whether Smith wanted to stay or go the fact that he signed a contract with Denver makes him an enemy of the Chiefs organization. I know he loved to play football for KC but if he really cared he wouldn't have went where he did. As for Richardson, I was assuming and was wrong by your reply. Here is the hard truth with no feelings attached, once a player leaves the Chiefs and signs with another team their loyalty is changed because they are being paid to do so. They may have a certain love in their heart for the Chiefs organization but they become loyal to the team they signed with. They have to or how could they play at the best of their ability?
It is safe to say that we all have our feelings regarding such things. Good topic, rep given.

[Connie Jo]

Originally Posted by endzonewillie

I did not read the entire 4 pages of posts . I only read the first one and replied to it. Whether Smith wanted to stay or go the fact that he signed a contract with Denver makes him an enemy of the Chiefs organization. I know he loved to play football for KC but if he really cared he wouldn't have went where he did. As for Richardson, I was assuming and was wrong by your reply. Here is the hard truth with no feelings attached, once a player leaves the Chiefs and signs with another team their loyalty is changed because they are being paid to do so. They may have a certain love in their heart for the Chiefs organization but they become loyal to the team they signed with. They have to or how could they play at the best of their ability?
It is safe to say that we all have our feelings regarding such things. Good topic, rep given.

Truth be told...I believe Neil deliberately wanted to sign with a rival after Peterson released him due to the QB controversy over Gannon/Grbac. Does that make him disloyal? Maybe, but he is after all human first, athlete second...he was upset over lack of principles and loyalties within the Chiefs organization towards players who had given their all, only to have management turn their backs. In the end...Neil received the Karma he went searching for...he acquired two SB rings with Denver.

Still, his heart remained in KC, and that is where he returned to retire, devoting his time and efforts since to the KC community...paying it forward so to speak. That is what I base my judgement on with Neil being loyal as a Chief, to the fans, and in heart a Kansas Citian.

Yes, I agree that once a player leaves a team and signs with another, their athletic loyalties lie with the team they're playing for, no other...most definitely!

It's the loyalty of the heart my thoughts were more related to. I'm a 'too' loyal and sentimental heart, hahaha.

[wichitaj]

All time Mr Chiefs is Len Dawson

[endzonewillie]

Originally Posted by Connie Jo

Truth be told...I believe Neil deliberately wanted to sign with a rival after Peterson released him due to the QB controversy over Gannon/Grbac. Does that make him disloyal?

I don't feel he was signing with Denver regarding the QB controversy because at the end of the day he knows it is the way of the sport. The team had to make a choice and they picked the guy they believed would give them the best chance to win and as usual Petersen made the wrong choice. I do think that Smith made the choice to go and play for Denver for a couple reasons, it would be a way to dig on the Chiefs for letting him go and it also gave him the best chance at being on a Superbowl team. Retiring as a Chief might have been his choice due the fact he played his best football with them while DT was opposite him and he wanted to be remembered as that guy. Loyalty? Maybe, maybe not only Neil knows but for whatever the reason he is Red and Gold for life.

Originally Posted by Connie Jo

It's the loyalty of the heart my thoughts were more related to. I'm a 'too' loyal and sentimental heart, hahaha.

This is how most true blue fans think and portray their team and favorite players. It would only be natural for you to hope that the players you loved the most would feel, in todays game it very seldom is the case though.

[endzonewillie]

Originally Posted by wichitaj

All time Mr Chiefs is Len Dawson

I would agree with this 100,000 %. Lenny shows that loyalty every time the Chiefs take the field. Rep given

[Connie Jo]

Originally Posted by wichitaj

All time Mr Chiefs is Len Dawson

ABSOLUTELY!!

I didn't include some of the players from Lenny's day, because it was pre free agency for the most part. Still, no one can deny Lenny's blood is 100% red & gold!!

Another on that list would be Bobby Bell!! I missed the last two, but Bobby attends Draft Day every year, mingling with fans walking around the crowd...not sitting behind a table with time restrictions either. Sadly, many fans don't know who he is...they'll see other fan's who do know...talking to him, getting his autograph...then ask who he is. I have it happen everytime!

What's worse...is when I tell a fellow fan, "that's Bobby Bell!"...and they ask me, "who is Bobby Bell?!!" I give them about a 5 minute Chiefs/Bobby Bell history brief, including letting them know he was the first Chief player to be inducted into the NFL HOF, lol. They're not sorry they asked, and then immediately head over to him for his autograph!

These older Chiefs legends are GREAT with telling the fans priceless stories of Super Bowl IV, and how football was in their time! Curtis McClinton spent about a half hour telling my grandson about his being in Super Bowl IV, showing him his Super Bowl Ring. My grandson, usually a bit of a restless soul as most kids can be...was impressed and paid attention the entire time with his eyes great big in excitement the way Curtis told his story with such enthusiasm, hahaha!

This pic below isn't good of my grandson, as his eyes were in the middle of a blink and half closed...but it's still a priceless pic we cherish!

[Connie Jo]

Speaking of Lenny...brings back another fun & priceless memory! Chiefs story time, hahaha!

I drove to St. Joe to meet Lenny back in 2006. He was doing meet & greet's as part of a grand opening celebration for a big home building center store up there. For years I've had a #16 Len Dawson Cooperstown QB Legends Teddy Bear, and always wanted Len to autograph it...this was my chance, so I went!

When Len saw my Teddy Bear, he started cracking up! He said, "seriously, you don't want me to autograph a teddy bear?!" No one had asked him to sign a Teddy Bear before I gathered, lol. Then he noted it was a Len Dawson Cooperstown Teddy Bear, that he had forgotten he had endorsed years ago.

Well, the event promoter & Lenny got such a kick out of listening to me going on over my #16 bear and talking Chiefs...that they decided to use a photo of me and Lenny as a promotion photo for upcoming signing events, lol. They asked me to go behind the table, chat with Lenny more, etc.. It was a BLAST!!

I of course had wore my #16 sweater throwback jersey too!

[Canada]

You 2 make a cute couple...u should ask him out!!