Some of the best running backs in Kansas City Chiefs history wore the No. 27 jersey during their careers, but it's uncanny how even the best couldn't get out of their own way(s). Impressive careers would have been even more so had they avoided the drama, but that's also what makes their legacies all the more complex and perhaps even memorable. In our journey from 1 to 99, we've arrived at a productively troubled number at No. 27. Here are the best players and stories over time.
The complete history of Chiefs players to wear No. 27
The Best: Larry Johnson
Of all of the Chiefs listed as the best to wear a number over the team's storied history, Larry Johnson will likely have the worst PR of all. Most "best to wear it" players are legends, heroes, and icons. They're remembered fondly and often. LJ? That's debatable.
What's not a debate is whether or not Johnson is the most productive player to ever wear No. 27. There's some magic at work that a player drafted at No. 27 overall wore the same number. What's less magical is that his own head coach didn't want him, since Priest Holmes was already in place. But organizational friction developed nonetheless when Carl Peterson submitted Johnson's name on a draft card in the first round in 2003.
Johnson spent some serious time waiting in the wings before a starting opportunity came his way in 2005 when Holmes injured his neck. Despite starting only 9 games, Johnson generated a franchise record 1,750 rushing yards to go with 99 first downs, 20 rushing scores, and his first Pro Bowl nod. The pendulum swung to overload in 2006 when the Chiefs abused Johnson with a league-high 456 touches for 2,199 yards from scrimmage and another Pro Bowl.
From there, things got ugly real fast. The Chiefs caved when Johnson held out for a new deal and gave him the biggest contract in team history (7 years, $45 million). An injured foot suffered after eight games sidelined him the rest of the way. Then came assault charges that got him suspended the following year. By 2009, the Chiefs released him outright after telling him to stay away from the organization. A complicated legacy for the Chief who ranks third in all-time rushing yards.
The Homecoming: Kareem Hunt
Speaking of unfortunate decision-makers at running back, the second-best player to ever wear the number is Kareem Hunt, a player who completed a historically good offense as a well-rounded running back who made defenses pay for keying in on Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. But sometimes things are too good to last, and Hunt's own assault charge ultimately led to his demise with the Chiefs—at least the first time.
The Chiefs selected Hunt in the third round of the 2017 draft (the Mahomes draft) and he led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie with 1,327 to go with 11 total touchdowns. He was on pace for a similar season in 2018 when a video surfaced of Hunt shoving and kicking a woman. He lied about his involvement to the Chiefs, and that lack of trust ultimately brought about his release. Hunt resurfaced with the Cleveland Browns after serving a half-season suspension and he'd remain there near his Ohio hometown for the next five seasons.
Fortunately, Hunt has enjoyed a heartening homecoming over the last two seasons in Kansas City. His diminished skill set has altered his value, but he's been a battering ram in short-yardage situations, and he's actually led the team in rushing in each of the last two seasons. That's a slight against the overall talent ceiling more than anything else, but Hunt's return has been a warm plotline.
Note: Yes, we're aware Hunt changed numbers later in his career, but we're not telling this story twice.
The Player/Coach: Kevin Porter
We could use some positive news here, so we're turning to former Chiefs safety Kevin Porter, a former third-round pick out of Auburn (No. 59 overall in 1988) who played in 78 games and became a three-year starter for Marty Schottenheimer's defenses. Following retirement, Porter turned to coaching and even led the Kansas City Brigade, an Arena Football League team from 2006 to 2008. He remains a defensive backs coach for Morehouse College to this day.
The Knee Problems: Woody Green
Speaking of running backs who failed to live up to initial hopes, the Chiefs invested a first-round pick at No. 17 overall in Woody Green after watching the All-American set school records at Arizona State. Unfortunately, knee injuries would end his career after only three seasons in the NFL, and he would never play consistently enough to even move the meter too much when he was around. He averaged 480 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns per year from 1974-76.
The Heart Attack: Theotis Brown
For a brief spell, No. 27 belonged to Tom Hanks' former locker mate in high school: Theotis Brown, a punishing rusher out of UCLA with the nickname "Bigfoot". Brown wore No. 27 for two seasons in K.C., and in 1984 he carved out a real role, finishing second on the team with 337 rushing yards and third in receiving with 38 catches for 236 yards. He never played another down. In February 1985, Brown suffered a heart attack after his daily workout at Arrowhead and spent days in intensive care at St. Joseph Hospital, where doctors dissolved a blood clot in a coronary artery.
The Current Wearer: Chamarri Conner
Conner profiles as an important piece in 2026, a starting safety in a thin unit who will need him to play an important role in a contract year. Bryan Cook is out. Alohi Gilman is in. Other than that, the Chiefs left safety alone, which means Conner will be asked to play a major role, albeit with a bit less responsibility after forcing him to play slot corner reps in years past. If allowed to stay within his wheelhouse, Conner could be a nice part, which comes at a good time with free agency looming for him in 2027.
Et Cetera
- Greg Hill, RB - Former first-round running back (1994) out of Texas A&M who was supposed to replace Marcus Allen. Useful player whose four-year Chiefs tenure finished 2,436 rushing yards.
- Rashad Fenton, CB - Sixth-round pick in 2019 with no outstanding traits but was useful enough to find a special teams role for four seasons in K.C.
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