This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Danan Hughes, one of the unsung heroes on the special teams unit in the 1990s.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Hughes opened up about his upcoming appearance at the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar on October 26 and 27 in Las Vegas, his role as an ambassador with the Chiefs, and his reflections on his career as a player.
“I played in the early 90s and created an atmosphere of embracing the community, [and] I’m still working in the community,” Hughes explained. “I’m part of the Chiefs Ambassadors, a group of former Chiefs still in the Kansas City community and doing work. This is my fifth season there. I know many fans want to interact about that dynamic and partner with Mitch Holthus, who’s been here for 31 years as the voice of the Chiefs.
“I love that stuff. I feel like that’s what I signed up for as a player. You know what you’re doing, what you’re supposed to do, and what the fans love. They are so intricate in the success and existence of this NFL franchise that you can’t help but want to give back, mix and mingle whenever you can, and have some fun and laughs.”
Hughes looks forward to embracing the crowd visiting Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar ahead of Kansas City’s Week 8 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
From 1993 to 1998, Hughes played for the Chiefs, teaming up with some of the greatest players in league history during the franchise’s resurgent period.
“It was a surreal experience coming from the University of Iowa and then just coming four and a half hours down south to Kansas City,” Hughes said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but as you mentioned, I walked into the locker room the same season we acquired Joe Montana and Marcus Allen, already having Derrick Thomas. A few years later, drafting Tony Gonzalez and playing with so many Hall of Famers.
“I was drafted with Will Shields, a Hall of Famer. So there’s so much history here that it’s been great to be a part of, and even though I can say I was part of the greatness in the heyday in the 90s, what they’ve done in recent years surpasses those times. But I’m proud of this organization and to be a part of it.”
Hughes continues his community efforts and life as a Chiefs analyst well after his playing career in Kansas City.
“I’ve made it my home; my wife and I are both from New Jersey and decided to stay in Kansas City. It tells you a lot about how we value this community and how it has embraced us,” said Hughes. “I don’t know if many other cities will be able to boast about embracing a guy who played 25 or 30 years ago, and yet, I can walk around town.
“People still love me because I wore that jersey and played for this great franchise. So, I don’t take any of it for granted. I know it’s a blessing and an honor, but it just tells you about the fans’ passion and willingness to embrace us as former players, even though I haven’t worn a jersey in 25-26 years.”
For more information on the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, log on to flankerlv.com