Book Review: 'Tales from the Kansas City Chiefs Sideline' offers unique view of franchise history

"My first exposure to Lamar Hunt was his rear end."

Veteran journalist Bob Gretz sure knows how to catch a reader's attention. That is how he opened Tales from the Kansas City Chiefs Sideline: A Collection of the Greatest Chiefs Stories Ever Told, a book every devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan should read. Gretz, along with Kansas City Star columnist Pete Grathoff, packed in decades of history and stories into a 230-page book. Overall, it is a delightful collection of stories that span the Chiefs' franchise history, providing both entertainment and education for fans old and new.

Kansas City Chiefs fans need this book on the summer reading list.

As a younger Chiefs fan, I have massive knowledge gaps in my fandom's knowledge. Trent Green and Larry Johnson were my first notable Chiefs players, so I never heard the context surrounding Joe Montana's arrival, Joe Delaney's tragic passing, Hank Stram's firing, or several pivotal moments in Chiefs history. This book changed that for me quickly.

The framework of this book is one of the things that makes it stand out. Each chapter is broken up into short, easy-to-read stories. This makes it possible to pick up and read at any time. The short parts also make the book easier to read, making sure that each story sticks with the reader without overwhelming them.

My favorite part took up the book's opening third, covering the earliest days of the Chiefs franchise. Many fans will understand that Lamar Hunt's actions and vision helped propel professional football to where it is today. But reading about the AFL and NFL battling before the merger, the Texans and Cowboys squaring off for financial supremacy, and how he proved Charlie Finley wrong, learning about that portion of the franchise's history was very eye-opening and enjoyable.

This book has two editions. I picked up the updated edition, published in 2020 following Kansas City's Super Bowl LIV victory. Getz ended the stories by talking about the Chiefs' limitless potential, with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid leading the charge. Reflecting on that nearly four years later and two more championship victories, Getz's book has a prophetic feel.

Read the book for the stories, but make sure to check out the book's sources as well. I am always looking for a new sports-related read, so Getz citing two dozen books related to the NFL or Chiefs franchise is a great jumping point. I had no idea players like Otis Taylor and Len Dawson wrote their own books. I now know what I am adding to the bookshelf next.

It's more than just a collection of stories; Tales from the Kansas City Chiefs Sideline is a celebration of the team's history and the people who support it. This book is a great addition to any Chiefs fan's library because Gretz writes fascinating stories and has access to insider knowledge. This book has something for everyone, whether readers are thinking back to the good old days or enjoying recent wins. That shows how strong the Kansas City Chiefs are and how much the fans have stuck by the team through good times and bad.