They painted the railings, applied new decals to the football helmets and shared some major news on Monday afternoon as Kansas City Chiefs Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt, the entire rookie class, Cheerleaders and dozens of staff members joined the "NFL Huddle for 100" campaign at nearby Lincoln College Prep.
The event launched the Chiefs' participation in the league-wide initiative, which hopes to inspire every fan to contribute 100 minutes of community service this year in honor of the NFL's centennial season.
"It's important for us as an organization throughout the year to get out and give back to the community that has given us so much," Hunt said. "Today was a chance for us to beautify the campus, to help the football coach put some stickers on their helmets and to have a good time making a contribution to the community."
And that was just the beginning.
Following the service activity, Hunt announced that the Chiefs – in partnership with the NFL Foundation, LISC and Kansas City Public Schools – were providing Lincoln College Prep with a $250,000 "Grassroots grant" to build a new football field at the school that fittingly will sit near the site of old Municipal Stadium, where the Chiefs played from 1963-71.
The new field will be complete this fall just in time for Lincoln College Prep's homecoming and Chiefs Legends Weekend, which will invite the greatest players in franchise history - many of whom played at Municipal Stadium - back to Kansas City.
"What we always try to say to the community is that we're all a part of this. As an organization, - from [Founder Lamar Hunt] early on - he made it imperative that we give back to this community," said Chiefs President Mark Donovan. "To give back in a way that provides an opportunity for more kids to play our game is really impactful, and to tie that into a weekend where we celebrate the greatest of the greatest in Chiefs' history and to do it on the site of Municipal Stadium, it just all ties together so well."
The Chiefs also unveiled a new historical marker for the site that will sit at the corner of 22nd and Brooklyn this fall in an effort to celebrate an integral part of the franchise's history, but the rookies in attendance were just as focused on the future.
After the cameras had left and much of the staff had returned to One Arrowhead Drive, the players each took the time to introduce themselves to Lincoln College Prep's football team.
They shared their stories, lent some advice and provided insight into what helped them reach the highest level.
"It's just really beneficial for the kids to see these guys out in the community," said Lincoln College Prep Head Coach William Lowe. "The Chiefs have been really involved with our program over the last few years, and for our kids to see the Chiefs out here doing things like this up close means a lot to them."
And the campaign is just getting started. Fans are encouraged to join the initiative by volunteering and logging their participation with the hashtag #ChiefsHuddlefor100 on Twitter.
It's all just another chance to demonstrate the special relationship between this community and its football team.
To learn more about the NFL Huddle for 100 campaign, click here.
