Some numbers are about sorting the stars. No. 38 is about the dirty work. In our rundown of the most memorable stories and greatest moments in Kansas City Chiefs history, going 1 to 99, the arrival at No. 38 is about the men in the trenches, providing steady help to those around them. That's doubly true for the greatest player to ever wear the number (Kimble Anders), but the theme fits others as well. It might be true that no Chiefs fan likely grows up dreaming of wearing No. 38, but that's why these stories deserve to be told.
The complete history of Chiefs players to wear No. 38
The Best: Kimble Anders
When the Chiefs inducted Kimble Anders into their Hall of Fame in 2022, Clark Hunt noted that "the grunt work of a fullback is met with very little fanfare." He's not wrong, but that's what makes Anders' unexpected career all the more remarkable, from his unlikely start to his overall production.
Remember that Anders went undrafted in 1990, was signed then cut by Pittsburgh, and sat home for a full year before the Chiefs signed him in '91. He barely played until Marcus Allen arrived in '93 and pushed Anders into the fullback role. Once new offensive coordinator Paul Hackett started using Anders the way the 49ers used Tom Rathman, things were never the same.
Anders led the Chiefs with 67 catches in 1994, then reeled off three straight Pro Bowls from 1995 to 1997. Across 125 games in a decade with the team, Anders racked up 2,261 rushing yards and a franchise-record 2,829 receiving yards by a halfback. If K.C. had only figured out how to utilize his talents sooner, Anders' numbers would be even more eye-popping. As it is, he's already a legend.
The Lockdown Defender: L'Jarius Sneed
The Chiefs have no shortage of recently coached-up cornerbacks who stand much taller after their rookie contracts expire. L'Jarius Sneed might be the best overall example, a former fourth-round find out of Louisiana Tech who became a Week 1 starter and ended up with a lockdown defender reputation four years in. Sneed's talents would help the Chiefs climb to the AFC's summit year after year before the Tennessee Titans decided to trade a third-round pick for him in 2024. Injuries would rob him of his effectiveness, when on the field, and a homecoming brought Sneed back into the fold in '26. It's hard to tell what he has left, but there's no denying his abilty to blanket an opposing team's top receiver was key to lifting multiple Lombardis.
The Other Overlooked Back: Wendell Hayes
Before Anders arrived, No. 38 belonged to Wendell Hayes, another bruising back in Chiefs history who came over from Denver in 1968 and remained for the franchise's first golden stretch. Hayes was a key piece of the 1969 team that handled the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in Super Bowl IV, the last game ever played between the AFL and NFL. Over seven seasons in Kansas City, Hayes ran for 2,560 yards and 18 touchdowns and added another 993 yards and 5 scores in the passing game.
The Savvy Waiver Claim: Ron Parker
One of the few benefits of finishing with a league-worst record is being first in line for waiver claims the following year. Chiefs GM John Dorsey took advantage of this time and again in his first summer in K.C., which allowed him to grab safety Ron Parker when the Seattle Seahawks let him go in 2013. Parker not only earned immediate playing time for the rebounding franchise, but he would grow into a five-year starter in Bob Sutton's secondary. His steady play produced 78 deflections, 8 sacks, and 11 interceptions in 94 regular-season games for K.C. from 2013-18.
Et Cetera
- Durwood Roquemore, DB - Two forgettable seasons in 1982-83 that are only recalled in lists like this.
- Dajuan Morgan, S - A third-round gamble that never paid off for Scott Pioli in 2008.
- Solomon Brannan, DB - A ne'er-used defensive back who signed in K.C. as an undrafted FA in 1964.
- RIcky Odom, DB - Former seventh-round pick in 1978 out of USC.
- Keaontay Ingram, RB - Former Cardinals RB who couldn't make a dent in the Chiefs' backfield when it was at its most inept (2023-25).
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