KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Tuesday – National Mascot Day – Dan Meers, the franchise’s original KC Wolf, announced his retirement after 35 years as the team’s beloved mascot and “Director of Shenanigans.”
“Dan Meers has been the heart and soul behind KC Wolf for 35 years,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “Since joining the organization in 1990, Dan helped establish KC Wolf not only as a source of energy and enthusiasm on gamedays, but as a symbol of pride and passion for all of Chiefs Kingdom. He ensured that his alter ego brought joy to people young and old, and his deep connection to the Kansas City community has made him a beloved figure to generations of Chiefs fans.”
A native of St. Charles, Missouri, Meers graduated from the University of Missouri in 1990, where he served four years as Truman the Tiger. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top collegiate mascots, he finished second in the 1988 and 1990 National Collegiate Mascot Championships and was named the top overall college mascot in the country in 1989.
After graduating with honors, Meers began his professional career as Fredbird with the St. Louis Cardinals. After a short stint in professional baseball, Meers joined the Kansas City Chiefs full-time in 1990 after the Chiefs introduced their brand-new mascot, KC Wolf, in 1989.
Over the next 35 years, Meers became the NFL’s longest-tenured mascot by more than a dozen years. He performed at 307 regular and postseason games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadum and 375 total games, including preseason matchups. Meers also appeared at six international games as KC Wolf, including four American Bowl preseason games (Berlin, 1990; Tokyo, 1994 and 1998; and Monterrey, 1996) and two regular season international contests (London, 2015 and Frankfurt, 2023). He appeared at all five Super Bowls (LIV, LV, LVII, LVIII, LIX) the club has participated in since the 2019 season, including the three wins (LIV, LVII, LVIII). KC Wolf was selected to 14 Pro Bowls and participated in nine NFL all-star games during Meers’ tenure.
“To say I’m a blessed man is an understatement. For the past 35 years I’ve had my dream job. I’ve worked for the team I love, in the city I love, with the people I love. After all these years I certainly hope Chiefs Kingdom knows just how much I love and appreciate them. I have memories and stories that will last me a lifetime,” Meers said. “I especially want to thank my family, the Hunt family, the Chiefs organization and the greatest fans in the world for all the love, support, and laughs we’ve shared over the past 35 years. I’m truly a blessed, blessed man!”
Throughout his career, Meers brought the spirit of Chiefs Kingdom as KC Wolf to 12 countries, 38 states, and countless events. He visited U.S. military installations at home and overseas and made approximately 10,000 appearances, including community events, birthday parties, banquets, weddings, grand openings, and more.
Meers also developed multiple speaking engagement programs aimed at promoting character, positivity and purpose. His school, corporate, community, and faith-based presentations helped define KC Wolf not just as a mascot, but as “a character with character.”
KC Wolf became the first NFL mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2020, Meers became the first – and remains the only – mascot to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. He was also twice recognized by the franchise for his exceptional contributions to the club and the community, earning the Chiefs Presidential Award in 1993 and the Chiefs Service Award in 2016.
In addition to his work as KC Wolf, Meers is a noted motivational speaker and author of two books: Wolves Can’t Fly and Mascot on a Mission. All proceeds from books sales have supported global missions and ministries through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Character That Counts. Meers has made numerous trips internationally, serving orphans and underserved communities around the world, including in Honduras, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, India, and Tanzania.
Chiefs Kingdom is invited to celebrate Meers’ retirement by sharing their favorite photos and videos of themselves or their families with KC Wolf over the years at www.chiefs.com/wolfmemories.