The legacy of the No. 40 jersey in Kansas City Chiefs history belongs to two players, so we’re going to give them their due and make everyone else sit out. Typically, we highlight a few players of varying importance to give the full scope, but the truth is that two players deserve far more notoriety than the rest, and then there’s a steep drop toward irrelevance despite the fact that the franchise dates back to 1960. So let’s honor the pillars, and then we’ll cobble together the rest because it feels like the most appropriate way to reflect the history at No. 40.
The complete history of Chiefs players to wear No. 40
The Best: James Hasty
The Chiefs’ free-agent plan in 1995 was fairly simple: sign ex-New York Jets. Not only did the team import veteran tackle Jeff Criswell, but they raided the Jets’ secondary for two starters in cornerback James Hasty and safety Brian Washington. While not all of the moves worked out as hoped, Hasty’s arrival turned into one of the best FA signings in team history.
Taking a bet on an aging corner is a wild card, but Hasty joined K.C. on a streak of 1-3 consecutive starts and a reputation as a physical, bump-and-run corner. Even at the age of 30, Hasty had plenty left in the tank. By Week 3, he’d already proven his worth with a game-winning pick-six in overtime against Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler that sent the Chiefs to 3-0. Hasty would go on to make 90 starts in six seasons in Kansas City, including two Pro Bowl campaigns and a second-team All-Pro nod in 1997.
Hasty played his best football for Gunther Cunningham's defense, pairing with Dale Carter to form one of the league’s best cornerback tandems in the late-'90s. In ’99, Hasty tied for the NFL lead with 7 interceptions, two of which he took back for scores. He racked up 21 interceptions as a Chief, which is remarkable considering that he’d already grabbed 24 in seven seasons with the Jets. Other veteran free-agent additions were stopgap solutions at best. Hasty turned into one of the better corners to ever play in franchise history.
The Title-Ready Rookie: Jim Marsalis
Jim Marsalis’s recollection of his draft stock says it best: “Nobody ever thought I would be drafted because they said I was too small.” Not only did the Chiefs bite at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 1969 draft, but they made him the only rookie starter on the team’s first championship roster. Marsalis joined a defense that already boasted Emmitt Thomas, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, and Bobby Bell and became an integral part from the jump. That rookie run included two interceptions of Joe Namath in the divisional round win and another pick in the AFL championship against the Raiders before the eventual 23-7 victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
Not only did Marsalis make the Pro Bowl in his first season in Kansas City, but he was invited back again after his sophomore season with the addition of first-team All-Pro honors. Marsalis had six picks in those first two seasons, but went on to cobble together 15 in his seven-year career with the franchise. While he lost his starting role after year four to Nate Allen, Marsalis remained a important rotational part of the secondary through 1975 before joining the New Orleans Saints for his final two seasons in the league.
Et Cetera
- Peyton Hillis, RB – Spent one year in Kansas City in 2012, three seasons removed from the 1,177-yard season that put him on the cover of Madden. The curse had taken effect by the time he got to Arrowhead.
- Derrick Gore, RB - Became a preseason darling in 2021 after bouncing around the practice squads of both Washington and L.A. Chargers. Found relief work behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire with 5.0 yards/carry.
- Mike Williams, FB/TE - The Chiefs 8th round pick in '79 spent time as a rarely-used versatile FB/TE for three seasons.
- Boyce Green, RB - Former Browns running back who had over 400 yards from scrimmage in a single season for the Chiefs in 1986.
- Ken Lacy, RB - Two separate stints as a backup running back in the mid-eighties.
- Ethan Downs, DE - Promising edge prospect who tore his ACL early in '26 training camp.
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