The best Kansas City Chiefs to ever wear the uniform: No. 44

In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 44.

In our continued efforts to unveil the single best Kansas City Chiefs players to ever wear this number, it’s surprising what themes emerge with specific numbers. Some jerseys have a loaded history while others are waiting for someone to do something meaningful while wearing it.

Today is an interesting look at late round finds who ended making good on the chances they were given. Both the winner and runner-up for No. 44 were late round flyers who turned into very productive players. but that’s also true of others who have worn the uniform. It’s an interesting collection here for the Chiefs. Let’s take a closer look.

The Others

Jarrad Page is a great recent example of a late round find, as a seventh round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft who ended up starting nearly 40 games at safety for the Chiefs throughout his rookie contract. Cornerback Tim Collier was a ninth round pick in 1976 and retired after nine years in the NFL, including four of them with K.C. Also, he was a mid-round pick but Herman Heard just has a great name.

The Runner-up: Eric Warfield

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Eric Warfield has made more headlines for his inability to stop picking up DUIs over the years, but that doesn’t negate the fact that he was a nice seventh round find in the 1998 NFL Draft for the Chiefs. He ended up starting 77 games and playing in 115 in his career, all with the Chiefs.

Warfield tok some time to find his footing in the NFL with only three starts in his first three seasons. However in his fourth season, he became a regular starter and held down a starting role for nearly a half decade with the Chiefs. He finished his career with 20 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 1 sack and 49 passes defended. He also returned 3 of those INTs for touchdowns.

The Winner: Jerrel Wilson

It’s a bit unsexy, perhaps, to pick a punter here as the winner, but Jerrel Wilson was so good for so long and this whole exercise is really about reminding Chiefs Kingdom that guys like Wilson not only played but excelled.

Jerrel Wilson joined the Chiefs as an 11th round choice in the AFL’s draft in 1963. (The Rams also chose him in Round 17—yes, No. 17—in the NFL’s version). Wilson signed with the Chiefs and became a pillar at punter for the Chiefs, the first real great specialist in team history.

Wilson wins this honor over Warfield and others for a few primary reasons. First of all, Wilson actually made it to three straight Pro Bowls from 1970 to 1972. In addition, he led the AFL or NFL in yards/punt in different seasons. He was very productive, especially in his prime, and he deserves recognition for that alone.

That said, the most impressive aspect of Wilson’s resume is the incredible longevity. Wilson started punting for the Chiefs as a rookie and would only miss 7 games in 15 seasons—an incredible run for any player. Consider this incredible number: Wilson had over 1,000 punts for the Chiefs over 15 years—1,018 to be specific).

However the best way to say just how dominant Wilson was is this: He made the All-AFL First Team in the ’60s and the Pro Football Hall of Fame all ’70s second team. That’s two all-decade teams.

We thought you would agree.

Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 43

Congratulations to Jerrel Wilson for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 44 on his uniform!

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