On Tuesday, June 17, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the retirement of Dan Meers, who is best known as the man behind the K.C. Wolf costume and for his role as the team’s ‘Director of Shenanigans.’
In the Chiefs’ official statement, team Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt thanked Meers for his 35 years of dedicated service:
“Dan Meers has been the heart and soul behind KC Wolf for 35 years. 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.”
According to the team’s release:
“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.“
For his part, Meers was incredibly humble in the statement he made regarding his decision to retire, saying:
“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. 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!”
Kansas City’s front office did not indicate if it had already chosen Meers’ successor in its official statement on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs icon, ‘Director of Shenanigans’ Dan Meers announces retirement