The best Kansas City Chiefs to ever wear the uniform: No. 14

In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 14.

At least they tried.

The Kansas City Chiefs have long had issues at both wide receiver and quarterback for the last few decades (at least it feels that way). In recent years, both positions have looked much, much better than previous stretches of time, which is good news for those of us who remember the endless efforts to turn these annual weaknesses into strengths.

The No. 14 in Chiefs history is one that’s peppered with those previous attempts, including perhaps the single biggest bust in Chiefs draft history in quarterback Todd Blackledge. But it also includes some fizzled-out hopes at wide receiver, too. Fortunately, the number is also attached to a guy who put the entire team on his back in the playoffs and pulled off a monumental effort.

The Others

What can we say about Todd Blackledge that isn’t already common knowledge? You already know the Chiefs passed on Jim Kelly and Dan Marino to select him. You also likely know that he never even started more than 8 games in a season despite receiving a first-round investment. If a man can’t keep Bill Kenney from starting, then you know you don’t have the face of the franchise on your roster.

Blackledge is not the only failed No. 14 under center, however. Danny McManus (of CFL fame) and Matt Blundin were also previous attempts to fill the role, and if you’re asking “who?” to those names, then you answered correctly.

As for wide receivers, there’s Quinten Lawrence and Kevin Robinson and Chad Hall all within the last decade. DeMarcus Robinson wore this number until the Chiefs signed Sammy Watkins. Again and again, the attempts to transform the position, but fortunately the last two show signs of life.

Here’s hoping Watkins actually becomes a part of team history here.

The Runner-up: Bobby Ply

This is a weird one.

Bobby Ply played in 73 games for the Chiefs (and Dallas Texans) in the first few years of the franchise. He had 9 career interceptions, seven of which came during his rookie season. Given the lack of competition other than the winner (see below), Ply was a fairly easy choice since no one wants to write about Todd Blackledge in any sort of positive light.

That said, calling Bobby Ply the second best here is a bit weird. Of those seven interceptions, 4 of them came in one game against the Chargers and 3 of them came in a game against the Broncos. In other words, Ply had a turnover in 4 games out of 73. That ratio changes things.

Then again, any man who can force 4 interceptions in one game (or even 3 in another) is a memorable figure who would have everyone talking as they left the stadium that day. And that’s a story you tell your children about when they ask you about your favorite games.

Never mind, then. Congratulations, Bobby!

The Winner: Ed Podolak

Picture this: the Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round (opening round) of the 1971 playoffs. The Chiefs are not only the home team, but after going 11-2-1 in the regular season (remember they only played 14 games in those days), they’re feeling good about another potential Super Bowl run (they’d won it just two years prior). Unfortunately the Chiefs lost in overtime, 27-24.

Looking back, Ed Podolak did everything he could that day for the Chiefs to win. He rushed 17 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. He caught another 8 passes for 110 receiving yards and another touchdown. He even returned 3 kicks for 154 yards (51 yards/kick average)! That day, Podolak had 349 yards from scrimmage and the Chiefs still lost.

That game is why Ed Podolak is a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame. In 9 seasons with the Chiefs, Podolak rushed for 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns. He caught 288 passes for another 2,456 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. He also returned 86 punts, 34 kickoffs and finished his career with 8,343 all-purpose yards (leading the NFL in the category in 1970).

Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 13

Congratulations to Ed Podolak for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 14 on his uniform!