In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 29.
I’ve got a friend currently vying for a fairly big Battle of the Bands. It’s in Nashville and it would net him significant label attention, studio time, Spotify help and a stage appearance at a great festival. And he’s screwed just because of the seeding.
The battle is a March Madness style bracket, which means artists/bands are scattered randomly and eventually will have an ultimate showdown between the top two vote getters on either side. Unfortunately for my friend, he is the second leading vote getter in each and every round. That’s good news until you realize that he’s got to face off against the leading vote getting so far before the finals.
In other words, it’s like the NBA Western Conference has been for some time.
That’s how today’s number is. As we try to determine the best Chiefs players to ever wear particular numbers, the No. 29 presents a real problem—as in, there are a couple players worth highlighting as a “winner” but unfortunately we just cannot.
The Others
A few trivia answers, so to speak, have worn No. 29 over the years. You might remember Dantrell Savage as a little used running back a decade ago. Jason Belser was a safety who ended his career in K.C. after Y2K after a nice long stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Greg Hill was actually a 16-game starter at running back in ’97, which I would have never, ever remembered.
What you might remember is Mark McMillian who led the NFL with three interceptions returned for touchdowns in ’97. McMillian started only 2 games that year, but had 8 total interceptions.
A personal favorite of mine who also wore No. 29 was Sammy Knight, a longtime safety for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins who played two full seasons with the Chiefs, starting 32 games along the way. As a personal fan of Knight’s tough playing style, it was fun to see him wear red and gold for a few.
The Runner-up: Albert Lewis
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Let’s be clear about what I wrote earlier: Albert Lewis deserves to be the winner here. As in, Albert Lewis deserves to be honored as the best player to wear some number. Unfortunately he’s not better than Eric Berry.
So here we are, in the on-deck circle as they say, with Lewis standing in the shadow of someone else. The best we can do, however, is to remind a generation that Lewis never stood in anyone’s shadow during his playing career. He’s a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame for good reason, a four-time Pro Bowler who was a shutdown cornerback for the Chiefs for a rare stretch of 11 years. He was also an incredible blend of size (6’2) and speed (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash).
The ironman corner was the team’s third round pick in the ’83 draft and he wouldn’t end up leaving town until 1994, when he went to play with the Los Angeles-turned-Oakland Raiders for another five years. He was the Terence Newman of his era (or vice versa).
Lewis ended his Chiefs career with 38 interceptions in 150 total games along with 12 forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks.
The Winner: Eric Berry
Only a legend could oust Albert Lewis, but those of us watching Eric Berry play today will be telling tale tales about him for generations to come. Berry is a living legend, a community icon, an inspirational hero and the single best safety in the National Football League.
Even if there was never a “comeback,” we’d still hail Berry as an elite playmaker, a guy who is one day going to unveil his own bust in Canton who deserves mention alongside the best safeties to ever play the game.
Very few players truly make everyone around them better at what they do, but Berry is one such player. When he’s on the field, everyone else can trust their instincts, follow his lead and succeed at another level. Without him, heads are spinning wondering why things aren’t clicking like they were when he was there. Last season showed the difference in the secondary and no fan wants to see that again.
What’s amazing about Berry is the person he is in the community and in the locker room. He’s taking rookies under his wing and connecting with fans young and old. He’s a leader the team and fans can rally around. He’s a role model in every way, and he’s been so transparent and vulnerable during his own bout with Hodgkin’s lymphoma that we’re all better people just for following along.
The great players in the NFL make everyone better. Only legends can do the same for fans. We’re all better for having been around Eric Berry’s career, which makes him truly one of the best players to ever for the Chiefs.
Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 28
Congratulations to Eric Berry for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 29 on his uniform!