1989 was the first year the Kansas City Chiefs introduced the K.C. Wolf mascot to their fans and the world alike. The mascot got his name after a group of Chiefs fans who were noisy and cheerful and who used to sit in temporary bleachers at the Municipal stadium. These fans were called the ‘Wolfpack’ and thus the name of the mascot.
The Chiefs’ mascot is usually seen dancing around, imitating the legendary ‘King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley, and performing several funny stunts and routines. Generally, he is the one on the field having the most fun out there. As an entertainer, the K.C. Wolf is one of the most loved mascots in the NFL and has been at the job for over 30 years.
However, the job of K.C. Wolf is not just restricted to game days and during the game itself. He has been seen at several events including but not restricted to charities, conventions, sports competitions, parties or any such type of event that brings people together. He has been a long-time entertainer not only for kids but for adults as well. Furthermore, his appearances are not limited to football games only as he has been spotted during major league and minor league baseball matches in the United States as well.
And if you thought that his popularity was limited only to the States, then guess again. The K.C. Wolf has been to Mexico, Germany and Japan as well. One of the most beloved mascots in the league, the K.C. Wolf is never one to disappoint.
Why did the Kansas City Chiefs change their mascot
The Chief’s first mascot known as ‘Warpaint’ was an actual horse on top of which a man would ride wearing clothes resembling the Native American tribes. However, there was a problem for all teams associating themselves with the Native American community in any way. While the Chief's name is not in reference to the Native Americans, much of their promotional aspects as well as the Warpaint mascot were in conflict with the community. The Native Americans took objections to all teams using their identity and thus those franchises in the league who had any such connections had to do away with them on an immediate basis.
Furthermore, it was also problematic to have an actual horse surrounded by an atmosphere found in stadiums. So much noise, ruckus, and various events that go on during games made it difficult to keep a live horse at a stadium. With these two issues at hand, the ideal scenario in front of the owners was to completely change the mascot.
Who is the man inside the mascot
The K.C. Wolf mascot has been donned by Dan Meers for the past 30-odd years. Prior to becoming the K.C. Wolf, Meers was ‘Truman the Tiger’, a mascot for the University of Missouri, and then followed that up by becoming ‘Fredbird’ a mascot for his boyhood baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Soon after that, the Chiefs were looking to move on from Warpaint and needed someone to don the K.C. Wolf mascot. After approaching Meers, he took up the opportunity thinking he could try his hand at the new challenge for a few years before taking up a real job. As luck would have it, Meers fell in love with the franchise and his job and has never looked back.
FAQs
A. The K.C. Wolf is the first mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006.
A. The Kansas City Chiefs mascot is the K.C. Wolf.
A. The Kansas City Chiefs first introduced the K.C. Wolf in 1989.
