The best Kansas City Chiefs to ever wear the uniform: No. 21
By Matt Conner
In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 21.
Flip a coin.
No, really. Just flip a coin. Or do one of those playground type of games you use to divide teams evenly. Eenie-meenie whatever whatever. Or something something donkey. I forget all the words, but when you can’t make up your mind, you have to resort to some weird exercises.
That’s where we are today as we try to discern who is the best Chiefs player to ever wear No. 21. There are a couple candidates worthy of the honor and there are serious arguments to be made for both.
So let’s just get right to it—by focusing on the names that don’t merit a coin flip.
The Others
Lots and lots of Kansas City Chiefs have worn No. 21 over the years. Eric Murray is the current member of the roster sporting the number, and it’d be an incredible turn of events if he was ever going to be a decent candidate for this kind of column.
Dunta Robinson was a veteran free agent cornerback who wore the number during Andy Reid’s first year with the team. Javier Arenas also wore this number in the backfield and was the trade return for Tony Gonzalez (don’t forget). Sean Smith was great when he wore this number for the Chiefs, but unfortunately his trajectory went Chiefs (successful) then Raiders (not successful) then jail (not at all successful).
Who else? Let’s see here. We have running back Kolby Smith; defensive backs like Martin Bayless, Odis McKinney, and Hise Austin; and wide receiver Dennis Homan.
The Runner-up: Jerome Woods
Here comes the tough competition.
Jerome Woods was a solid pro for a very long time. After the Chiefs selected Woods in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, he would be a fixture in the secondary for the next decade, save for a full year in 2002 when he missed a season due to a broken leg. Woods played in all 16 games during his rookie campaign and became a full-time starter in Year Two.
In his tenure, he started 105 games for the Chiefs and finished his career with 540 total tackles, 5 sacks, 15 interceptions (including 2 returned for touchdowns), 5 fumble recoveries, and 11 forced fumbles. He made the Pro Bowl in 2003 after missing the entire previous season.
The Winner: Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett was and is the man.
Garrett won the Heisman Trophy as a running back at Southern Cal before bringing his skills to K.C. where he showed off his well-rounded skills as a two-way threat out of the backfield. He was also a solid punt returner. He finished his Chiefs career with 32 total touchdowns, 24 of which came on the ground and another 7 through the air (along with a punt return taken back all the way during his rookie season).
Garrett was an important offensive cog on the Chiefs Super Bowl teams, including the winning squad, and he made the Pro Bowl during his first two years in the league. He was also drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and L.A. Dodgers, so it feels like Garrett could pretty much do what he wanted athletically.
Woods enjoyed a long, steady, impressive career. Garrett has the flashier this and that, but he’s got a Super Bowl ring. That put him over the top.
Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 20
Congratulations to Mike Garrett for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 21 on his uniform!