KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An Arrowhead Stadium staple is hanging up his costume after 35 years.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Tuesday morning that Dan Meers, the team’s original KC Wolf, is calling it a career as the team’s mascot and “Director of Shenanigans.”
Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the...
Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the team’s beloved mascot and “Director of Shenanigans.”(Andrew Mather | Kansas City Chiefs)
“To say I’m a blessed man is an understatement. For the past 35 years I’ve had my dream job. I’ve worked for the team I love, in the city I love, with the people I love. After all these years, I certainly hope Chiefs Kingdom knows just how much I love and appreciate them,” Meers said in a release.
Meers, who graduated from Mizzou in 1990 and served four years as Truman the Tiger, was named the top overall college mascot in the country in 1989.
Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the...
Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the team’s beloved mascot and “Director of Shenanigans.”(65TPT | Kansas City Chiefs)
He began his professional career as Fredbird with the St. Louis Cardinals and then joined the Kansas City Chiefs full-time in 1990 after the Chiefs introduced their new mascot — KC Wolf — in 1989.
“Dan Meers has been the heart and soul behind KC Wolf for 35 years,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said. “Since joining the organization in 1990, Dan helped establish KC Wolf not only as a source of energy and enthusiasm on gamedays, but as a symbol of pride and passion for all of Chiefs Kingdom.”
Meers retires as the NFL’s longest-tenured mascot by more than a dozen years, the Chiefs stated. His accomplishments include:
performing at 375 total games, including preseason
appearing at six international games as KC Wolf, including four American Bowl preseason games (Berlin, 1990; Tokyo, 1994 and 1998; and Monterrey, 1996) and two regular season international contests (London, 2015 and Frankfurt, 2023)
appearing at all five Super Bowls (LIV, LV, LVII, LVIII, LIX) the club has participated in since the 2019 season, including the three wins (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
being selected to 14 Pro Bowls and participating in nine NFL all-star games
making appearances as KC Wolf in 12 countries, 38 states, and countless events, visiting U.S. military installations at home and overseas
making approximately 10,000 appearances, including community events, birthday parties, banquets, weddings, grand openings, and more.
Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the...
Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the team’s beloved mascot and “Director of Shenanigans.”(Andrew Mather Andrew Mather | Kansas City Chiefs)
KC Wolf became the first NFL mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, the Chiefs stated. In 2020, Meers became the first – and remains the only – mascot to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
“I have memories and stories that will last me a lifetime,” Meers said. “I especially want to thank my family, the Hunt family, the Chiefs organization and the greatest fans in the world for all the love, support, and laughs we’ve shared over the past 35 years. I’m truly a blessed, blessed man!”
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