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The five most hated Denver Broncos in Chiefs Kingdom

By Jordan Mannix

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway scrambles for yardage as he is pursued by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Donnie Edwards during the Broncos season opener against the Chiefs 31 August in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 19-3. AFP PHOTO Doug COLLIER (Photo by DOUG COLLIER / AFP) (Photo by DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway scrambles for yardage as he is pursued by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Donnie Edwards during the Broncos season opener against the Chiefs 31 August in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 19-3. AFP PHOTO Doug COLLIER (Photo by DOUG COLLIER / AFP) (Photo by DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chiefs, Shannon Sharpe
DENVER, : Denver Bronco’s tight end Shannon Sharpe celebrates after catching the game-winning 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs 06 December at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Denver rallied for two touchdowns in the final seven minutes for a 35-31 victory over Kansas City to extend their winning streak to 18 games, including last year’s playoffs. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe was a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro during his 12 seasons with the Denver Broncos. He holds numerous records at the tight end position and is widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the position—a significant link in the evolutionary chain we’ve seen at the position in recent years.

Sharpe is also one of the most hated players in Chiefs Kingdom. As a member of the Broncos, Sharpe played against the Chiefs 23 times. In those games he accumulated 1,419 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, with a personal record of 14-9.

Ironically, his best game against the Chiefs came near the end of his career, in which he set the NFL record for most receiving yards for a tight end in a single game with 214. Yet, probably the most memorable story of Sharpe versus the Chiefs came in 1998 on Monday Night Football.

The Broncos at the time were on fire at 9-0, fresh off a Super Bowl victory. The Chiefs were struggling at 4-5, fresh off a season where they won the division. The season would not improve for the Chiefs, who fell behind 23-7, and any hope of a victory was squashed on the Broncos last touchdown drive.

The Chiefs defense was penalized an unheard of five times for unsportsmanlike conduct, with Derrick Thomas receiving three of those penalties. Why was Thomas so out of control? Legend has it that Sharpe was able to effectively get under his skin in a rather unique way. How? By reciting Thomas’ girlfriend’s number before each snap of that drive.

Again, this is urban legend. Even in his comments following the game, Sharpe didn’t mention this occurring, but so the story goes. Lamar Hunt would go on to condemn Thomas’ actions in the game, saying they disgraced the franchise and the community.

It’s this story, along with his dominance at the position, against the Chiefs that place the Hall of Fame player and trash talker on this list of most hated Denver Broncos of all time.

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