Episode 44: The Voice of the KC Chiefs: A Conversation with Mitch Holthus

From Smith Center, Kansas to the Chief’s Kingdom to the 2024 Kansan of the Year, Mitch Holthus gives us an inside look at his career and what it means to him to be the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs.
You’ll also hear about his family’s deep connection to the Western ballad, “Home on the Range.” It’s quite a story. Join Mitch as he tells the story about his life as only he can on this episode of “There’s Just Something About Kansas City.”

[@ConnieODell-id3us]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to listen to this amazing conversation. Mitch, you ARE Chiefs Kingdom!

[@joeyduncan7356]

Love Mitch. I've met him in person numerous times. Great guy. Love the interview!! Go Chiefs

[@paullohrentz1170]

I could listen to Mitch tell stories all day long, I too listened to lots of sports growing up in Montana & S Dak. I thought about going into broadcasting but went to a private small college that didn’t offer broadcasting. I hope Mitch can stay the voice of the Chiefs as long as he wants.

[@tangorello]

There is some great wisdom in this interview.

[@masterp2269]

Mitch is such an icon of the team!

[@chuckdiesel7620]

I’m 44 now. I remember the astroturf, the TD Pack Band, the birth of KC Wolf, Steve DeBerg’s broken pinky, the Schottenheimer polka, the local cops in town handing out Chiefs cards Monday mornings, and the slow build week to week of making the National Anthem into a unified war cry of solidarity for Kansans and Missourians alike. Mitch has been a constant throughout. He is the embodiment of Chiefs Kingdom and is much a legend as his idol #16. Thank you for giving so many of my memories an unforgettable voice thru the years Mitch. Cheers.

[@catherinelee3298]

Mitch❤️🤩

[@kasisoot]

I remember being so upset when Kevin Harlan left the Chiefs radio broadcast. He was really good, and he still is. But, Mitch is a one of a kind.

[@FlagstaffChief]

Tears in my eyes, too. 45:15

[@dfp_01]

Mitch has now finished his 30th season as the Chiefs' play-by-play radio broadcaster. The following are the play-by-play announcers I could find who spent more seasons with a single team: Merrill Reese: 47 seasons (Eagles, 1977-) Gil Santos: 41 seasons (Patriots, 1971-79, 1991-2012) Van Miller: 38 seasons (Bills, 1960-71, 1978-2003) Brad Sham: 37 seasons (Cowboys, 1984-94, 1998-) Gene Deckerhoff: 35 seasons (Buccaneers, 1989-) Bob Lamey: 31 seasons (Colts, 1984-91, 1995-2017) He's now called more Super Bowl victories than all of those guys except Santos, whom he tied with his 3rd this past February and could move past soon. I may be biased, but at least among the current group of radio broadcasters, there's no one I'd rather hear call games than Mitch Holthus.

[@FlagstaffChief]

Great to hear Mitch mention Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis. When people ask who my favorite announcing team is/was (present company excepted), my answer is Kevin Harlan and anybody, and Gowdy with either DeRogatis or Paul Christman. That early ABC team was so good and so much more interesting than the NFL crews on CBS. They could claim some credit for the success of the AFL. You announcers are more important than you get credit for. 24:38

[@FlagstaffChief]

What Mitch just said about being a five-tool player is good advice for young people in any line of work. I'm sure most of them never get to hear it. 28:16

[@dfp_01]

I also took the liberty of compiling Mitch Holthus' all-time Chiefs squad, focusing on the contributions of players and coaches since the beginning of the 1994 season. I'd bet Mitch could tell a thousand stories about each of these guys. HC Andy Reid (2013-) OC Eric Bieniemy (2018-2022) DC Gunther Cunningham (DC, 1995-98, 2004-08; HC, 1999-2000) QB Patrick Mahomes (2017-) QB Trent Green (2001-06) QB Alex Smith (2013-17) FB Tony Richardson (1995-2005) RB Jamaal Charles (2008-16) RB Priest Holmes (2001-07) RB Larry Johnson (2003-09) WR Dwayne Bowe (2007-14) WR Tyreek Hill (2016-21) WR Eddie Kennison (2001-07) WR Demarcus Robinson (2016-21) WR/RET Dante Hall (2000-06) WR Mecole Hardman (2019-22, 2023-) TE Travis Kelce (2013-) TE Tony Gonzalez (1997-2008) TE Jason Dunn (2000-07) T Eric Fisher (2013-20) G Brian Waters (2000-10) C Casey Wiegmann (2001-11) RG Will Shields (1994-2006) RT Mitchell Schwartz (2016-20) LT Willie Roaf (2002-05) G Dave Szott (1994-2000) IOL Tim Grunhard (1994-2000) OL Andrew Wylie (2018-22) DL Chris Jones (2016-) DE Eric Hicks (1998-2006) DL John Browning (1996-2005) DT Derrick Nnadi (2018-) DE Allen Bailey (2011-18) NT Dontari Poe (2012-16) DE Frank Clark (2019-22) DT Ron Edwards (2006-10) DE Jared Allen (2004-07) LB Derrick Johnson (2005-17) OLB Tamba Hali (2009-18) LB Justin Houston (2011-18) LB Donnie Edwards (1996-2001, 2007-08) LB Derrick Thomas (1994-99) LB Thomas Gafford (2008-14) LB Frank Zombo (2013-18) CB James Hasty (1995-2000) CB Eric Warfield (1998-2005) CB Dale Carter (1994-98) CB Brandon Flowers (2008-13) S Jerome Woods (1996-2005) S Greg Wesley (2000-07) S Daniel Sorensen (2014-21) S Ron Parker (2013-18) DB Eric Berry (2010-18) K Harrison Butker (2017-) P Dustin Colquitt (2005-19) LS James Winchester (2015-)

[@FlagstaffChief]

I don't remember the Jets reference. What was it about? 40:32