In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 43.
Here’s to the glue.
Every NFL team has these players. They are the special teamers, the role players, the ones who step in at various times to do what needs to be done even if the spotlight isn’t there for them. They’re happy to grind it out because that’s what they’ve always done, and standing next to the superstars is plenty good enough for them.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a few such players in house today, just as they always have. An NFL team cannot function without them—the Anthony Shermans or Frank Zombos or De’Anthony Thomases of the world—and today we’re looking back at a couple of them.
In our series of finding the best Chiefs players to ever wear a uniform, No. 43 is up and while it lacks superstar power (or even star power or even nice career power), it has a few gritty guys who did what their coaches demanded.
The Others
Remember fullback Omar Easy? What about another fullback in Mike Pruitt? How about short-lived defensive backs Akeem Davis and Brock Vereen? John Brockington was another excellent fullback who ended his career in K.C. after a very nice run in Green Bay. Already we’re getting a good sense of No. 43’s history.
The Runner-up: Thomas Gafford
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Before James Winchester took over as the team’s long snapper, there was Thomas Gafford.
Gafford knows what it means to grind because he’s worked very, very hard to carve out a long NFL career. Most Chiefs fans might assume Gafford stepping into a nice long-term role with the team, which he certainly enjoyed from 2008 to 2014, but before then, he’d already failed in two stints with the Green Bay Packers and was also let go by the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.
Even after being let go by the Chiefs, Gafford found a home with the Chicago Bears again, the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. He was out of football last year when a preseason stint with the New Orleans Saints didn’t last into the regular season. Through it all however, Gafford made good on his opportunities, kept trying when doors would close and has a nice professional resume to show for his efforts.
The Winner: Billy Jackson
Billy Jackson was never a star for the Alabama Crimson Tide, but he showed enough potential to warrant a seventh round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in the ’81 NFL Draft.
Jackson was also never a star for the Chiefs, but you might be surprised to learn that the rookie had 10 rushing touchdowns in his first year in the league. As a short yardage back, Jackson was automatic for Marv Levy’s offense. He finished his Chiefs career with 399 rushes for 1,365 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. He also added 58 catches for 416 receiving yards and another 2 touchdowns.
Jackson fell out of the NFL in 1985 after playing out his rookie contact in K.C., but he’s still No. 13 all time in rushing touchdowns for the franchise. He lacks the star power of other winners, but it’s a nice tribute to the players who do what’s required of them. Here’s to the glue.
Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 42
Congratulations to Billy Jackson for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 43 on his uniform!