Tag: danan hughes

Danan Hughes reflects on Marcus Allen’s touchdown pass, favorite Chiefs moment

Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Danan Hughes, who reflected on his touchdown reception from a pass by Marcus Allen and his favorite #Chiefs memory. | w/ @EdEastonJr

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. He also reflected on his touchdown reception from a pass by a Hall of Fame running back, and his favorite memories with the Chiefs.

“Yeah, I’m excited. Getting to Vegas is always exciting, and that was the scene of our Super Bowl win this past year,” Hughes said. “It will be fun to get back there and play against the Raiders up until this point. That is also the team that was the last to beat us last season before we went on the run to win the Super Bowl. So there’s always an incentive to be in Raider Nation and play against the rivals in the Las Vegas Raiders. But then, being a part of that event with my former teammate, Mark McMillan should also be fun. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It should be a blast to get out there. There will be a lot of Chiefs fans and Raiders fans, and it should be fun to mix and mingle.”

Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar is located just steps away from Allegiant Stadium at Mandalay Bay and creates a “50-yard-line” experience with a 30 ft. LED viewing screen commanding the main dining room and TVs throughout.

Hughes opened up on a famous touchdown pass he caught on Monday Night Football in 1997 from Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen.

“Yeah, it was great,” Hughes said of the trick play. “We had practiced it for a few weeks before, and it being Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers made it even more rewarding. For a guy who had a few starts at wide receiver but was mainly known for my special team’s acumen and being a captain of the special teams for four of my six years, it was always rewarding to be able to get an opportunity to be in on offense and be intricate in a scoring drive. So that’s a great memory. It’s one of my highlights.”

The touchdown reception was great, but it was not necessarily Hughes’ favorite with the Chiefs because choosing one is complicated.

“People always ask me what the most memorable moment I had,” Hughes continued. “It’s tough because the first thing that comes to mind is a play like that, but then, being in the huddle with Joe Montana, being a part of the AFC Championship, walking out, I got a picture in my basement of going to a coin toss as a captain, and in the picture is Joe, Montana, Marcus, Allen, Neil Smith, I believe Derek Thomas and Dan Marino because we were playing the Miami Dolphins.

“I’m like, somebody doesn’t belong in this picture, so for me to be a part of that and have that memory. It’s tough to pinpoint one because I was a part of so many great times and great memories that I can still recollect, and the Chiefs fans still remember them. There are times when people will come up to me at the stadium or if I’m at a restaurant and talk about the 90s and some of the great games, Monday Night Football, winning close games, being a part of some great drives, and the miracle at Mile High that just made it so special. So all of it has been a true blessing for me.”

https://youtube.com/shorts/UnQKCbmWjYI?si=qbDkho26_eTdrFKO

For more information on the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, log on to flankerlv.com

Former Chiefs WR Danan Hughes discusses his transition to broadcasting, Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce

Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former #Chiefs wide receiver Danan Hughes about broadcasting, and his thoughts on Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce. | w/ @EdEastonJr

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, who will appear at the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar on October 26 and 27 in Las Vegas, discussed his growth as a broadcaster and the differences between tight-end greats Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce.

“It was a process because, nowadays, I don’t cast any aspersions or jealousy towards guys that go right from the field into the booth, but I climbed the ladder,” Hughes said of his broadcasting career. “I was doing Pop Warner and high school games in the local high school and state championships, and then doing some radio spots when guys were on vacation, Literally, just kind of by reputation, by continuing to grind and climb the ladder to get to a point where, you know, I am one. I believe I’m the only analyst, not the only personality, but the only color analyst currently in all four significant positions in sports.

“When you talk about it, I do college baseball for ESPN and the Big 10 Network, college basketball for ESPN, college football for the Missouri Valley and Big 10 Network, baseball, and football, and then I do the Chiefs. So, it is special to me to be involved in the three sports I grew up playing—baseball, basketball, and football—and to have the incredible blessing of being in the booth for the only organization I played for, the Chiefs. I played here; I wasn’t a big name, so nothing was automatically given to me, and having that as part of my resume has been really cool.”

Hughes continues to cover the Chiefs regularly and has the unique viewpoint of playing alongside rookie Tony Gonzalez and following the career of Pro Bowler Travis Kelce. He shared what he believed to be the differences between the two stars.

“Yeah, I think there are some differences between them,” Hughes explained. “I want to say maybe Tony Gonzalez was more physically gifted. In regards to size, he seemed bigger. He seemed like he was, you know, a bigger body, stronger type of tight end like the old school tight ends were; he was very athletic. Travis Kelce has a little bit more wide receiver to him, a little bit more wiggle, and maybe a little bit more quick movement on the field. They’re, to me, the two of the top tight ends they ever play the game. I’ve been fortunate to be around both guys, Patrick, who is great at quarterback.

“Even though Tony had Rich Gannon for a little bit, he had Trent Green for most of his career. Those guys, to me, are not on the same level as Patrick Mahomes. So to have that luxury of having him and Alex Smith and being consistent, I think both of those guys, when you consider the wide receiving corps around them, you can say that they garnered a lot of attention because they didn’t have those top echelon receivers around them. Yet, they still could be dominant in different ways, maybe a little more wiggle and wide receiver tendencies with Travis Kelce versus the old school, bigger, thumping, breaking tackles presence that Tony Gonzalez had.”

For more information on the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, log on to flankerlv.com

Danan Hughes on embracing role as Chiefs ambassador, tales from tenure in K.C.

Former #Chiefs WR Danan Hughes told Ed Easton Jr. about his role as a team ambassador, and reminisced on his six-year tenure in Kansas City. | w/ @EdEastonJr

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

Iowa Hawkeyes football all-time roster: Offensive starters and backups

See which legends made the cut in our all-time Iowa Hawkeyes football roster, starting with the offensive starters and backups.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a rich history with some of the game’s titans suiting up in the black and gold. Hawkeyes Wire is taking a look back at Iowa’s finest offensive playmakers, defensive standouts, specialists and coaches from its entire history.

Who makes the cut on Iowa’s all-time offensive two-deep? Which quarterbacks define the Hawkeyes’ history books? How about the running back position? Who has stolen the show in Iowa’s backfield?

Along the skill positions, which wide receivers and tight ends make it among the Hawkeyes’ all-time two deep. Who has been paving the way on Iowa’s offensive line historically? Let’s take a look at the best offensive players in Hawkeyes history.

Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin

Chiefs Ambassadors appear to be receiving Super Bowl rings

Some of the former players who never won a Super Bowl appear to be receiving rings because of their service with the Kansas City Chiefs Ambassadors.

The Kansas City Chiefs are making sure that everyone who played a part in their Super Bowl LIV win is rewarded for their effort.

The Chiefs had a ring ceremony for the players, coaches and various staff members on Tuesday. Other members of the organization from operations to grounds to media have received their Super Bowl rings too. Now there’s a new group tied to the franchise getting their rings as well.

Members of the Chiefs Ambassadors, a community service-driven organization compiled of former players, appear to be among the members of the franchise that are receiving Super Bowl rings. At least three members of the group shared their customized Super Bowl rings on Twitter.

First up we had former Chiefs WR Danan Hughes, who played for the team from 1993-1998 and is also a new addition to the 2020 broadcasting team.

Next was former Chiefs WR Marc Boerigter. Boerigter played on the Chiefs from 2002-2005, with a standout rookie campaign catching passes from Trent Green. Check it out:

Next was a player that was once the face of the Chiefs organization, the Nigerian Nightmare, Christian Okoye.

The Chiefs are the type of franchise that appreciates the people who serve the team on and off the field. It shouldn’t be a surprise that they’re recognizing these former players who’ve made it their mission to help serve the Kansas City community after their playing career has ended. From local scholarship programs to charity events around the city, they’re a part of what makes this team so great.

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