Some numbers in our 1-to-99 series covering Chiefs history never settle on an identity, but No. 21 is not one of them. This is a defensive back's number for sure, a uniform worn by an All-AFL corner, a first-round safety who lasted a decade, and the man who picked off Jimmy Garoppolo in Super Bowl LIV. There are other stories to share as well, but let's get started with an obvious choice for the best to ever wear No. 21.
The complete history of Chiefs players to wear No. 21
The Best: Jerome Woods
Nobody has worn No. 21 longer or better for the Chiefs than Jerome Woods. He landed on the roster as the No. 28 overall selection in the '96 draft and never played a down for anyone else. His statistical peak came in his second season, when he logged a career-high 132 tackles and 4 INTs for a defense that only allowed 14.5 points per game (a total that led the NFL). However, Woods' first and only Pro Bowl nod didn't arrive until his comeback from a lost '02 season to a broken right leg. The safety returned to start all 16 games in '03 and put up two pick-sixes, including a 79-yarder off Brett Favre at Lambeau Field. The final tally: 545 total tackles, 15 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and 5 sacks.
The Legendary Moment: Mike Garrett
The high point for Mike Garrett is undoubtedly when he scored the touchdown on 65 Toss Power Trap, taking the handoff after a fake toss untouched into the end zone to put the Chiefs up 16-0 in Super Bowl IV while a mic'd-up Hank Stram cackled on the sideline. But it's also a great story how he even got to Kansas City in the first place. The 1965 Heisman winner fell to the 20th round of the AFL draft on a false rumor he'd signed with the Raiders, and the Chiefs, knowing better, signed him for $500,000. A two-time AFL All-Star, Garrett rushed for 3,246 yards and 24 touchdowns in five seasons in K.C. while adding another 141 catches for 1,231 yards and 7 scores in the passing game.
The Panthers Fallout: Bashaud Breeland
Bashaud Breeland signed with the Chiefs after a previous $24 million deal with the Carolina Panthers fell apart over a foot injury suffered on vacation, which worked out well for Kansas City. In 2019, Breeland returned a fumble 100 yards for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. He broke up a fourth-down throw to Julian Edelman that clinched the division in a win over the Patriots. He also picked off Jimmy Garoppolo two plays into the second quarter of Super Bowl LIV. That play was pivotal toward helping Kansas City end a 50-year championship drought. Breeland would return to the Chiefs on a one-year deal in 2020 before finishing his career with the Minnesota Vikings in '21.
The Pre-Chief: Dave Webster
The first notable player to wear No. 21 predates Kansas City entirely. Dave Webster played two seasons when the franchise was known as the Dallas Texans from 1960-61. The Prairie View product was an impact defensive back for the Texans and picked off 11 passes in his tenure, including an AFL-leading two of them for touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Was named first-team AFL in his second season, but he broke his leg in a preseason game coming into his third year and never played again.
The Smart Buy: Sean Smith
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey signed Sean Smith away from the Miami Dolphins as one of his first big free agent swings. He got Smith on a three-year deal worth up to $18 million in 2013, which gave the Chiefs the big, physical corner they lacked. Under the tutelage of Al Harris and Emmitt Thomas, Smith turned into one of the league's most underrated coverage men, making Pro Football Focus's All-NFL team in 2014. The Oakland Raiders would outbid everyone for Smith's services after his deal with K.C. wrapped up, but all they got was a benched player, a felony assault case, and an eventual release after two seasons.
The Current Holder: Jaden Hicks
Two years into his career, Jaden Hicks finds himself at a crossroads after joining the Chiefs as a universal "steal" in the '24 draft. The lack of trust from coaches has limited his playing time—and consequently, his development—which has left the unit thin and relying on more limited players athletically. Hicks plays prominently into the Chiefs plans in 2026 as sa third safety alongside Alohi Gilman and Chamarri Conner.
Et Cetera
- James Saxon, FB - If anyone else deserves their own entry from this bunch, it's Saxon. A four-year fullback with the team after being selected in the 8th round of the 1988 draft, he went on to become the team's RB coach from 2001-07.
- Javier Arenas, DB/KR - The return in the Tony Gonzalez trade. Eventually dealt for fullback Anthony Sherman.
- Eric Murray, S - Fourth-round pick who was traded to Cleveland in 2019 for Emmanuel Ogbah in a rare player-for-player swap with old boss John Dorsey.
- Kolby Smith, RB - Thrust into the lineup in 2007 by Larry Johnson's injury and Priest Holmes' retirement, Smith ran for 150 yards on 31 carries against the Raiders in his first career start and won AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
- Dennis Homan, WR - Former Cowboys first-rounder and Alabama All-American who caught 14 passes in Kansas City in the early '70s.
- Martin Bayless, S - A 13-year NFL journeyman whose last two stops were at Arrowhead in his mid-thirties.
- Mike Hughes, CB - A one-year flyer for Brett Veach who was a former first-round pick by Minnesota.
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