Dustin Colquitt struck 1,167 footballs with his left foot over his 15 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, donning his No. 2 jersey a franchise-record 238 times. He landed the third-most punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line of any player in NFL history - doing so an astounding 462 times - and his 50,393 career punting yards rank eighth all-time.
The former third-round pick, who Kansas City released on Tuesday, will forever be a Chiefs' legend for his historic efforts on the field, but remarkably, he'll be remembered most for his actions away from it.
Colquitt, a three-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, has selflessly dedicated his time as a professional athlete to those in need. He assumed a leadership role with various organizations such as Fuel Up to Play 60, Athletes in Action, KidsTLC and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during his career in Kansas City – providing both dollars and hours in order to serve others – but Colquitt's most significant contributions undoubtedly came through his work with TeamSmile.
It all began with a phone call from Dr. Bill Busch, who had recently learned about a young child who passed away due to inadequate dental care on the news. Busch was eager to make a difference, and after contacting the Chiefs about a potential partnership, the front office said they had the perfect guy in mind. That man was the 23-year-old Colquitt, and more than a decade later, Colquitt and Busch have provided nearly 50,000 underserved children with more than $21 million in complimentary dental and preventative care.
Colquitt's "Punting for Smiles" campaign delivered thousands in funds to the organization, providing nearly $450 in dental care for every $50 raised, while Colquitt himself makes significant donations out of his own pocket every year. He even took an active role in recruiting other players from around the league to host TeamSmile events in their own markets, spreading the initiative to more than a dozen other cities.
And his efforts went beyond just the dental care itself, as Colquitt often sought to reward young individuals who took responsibility for their health. In fact, in each of the last two years, Colquitt awarded Super Bowl tickets to a young adult who demonstrated a positive and encouraging attitude throughout their dental treatment.
Those actions - coupled with his contributions at other team outreach endeavors such as hospital and school visits, for which he was a regular participant – are why Dustin Colquitt will forever mean so much to Kansas City. He is unquestionably one of the greatest players in franchise history and a Super Bowl champion, but Colquitt did so much more than win football games during his time in the red and gold.
He changed lives.
Photographs from the career of Dustin Colquitt.
Punter Dustin Colquitt of Tennessee answers a question from the media during a news conference at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) celebrates a big play during a 2005 away game.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Samie Parker (18), head coach Dick Vermeil and punter Dustin Colquitt (2) celebrate on the sideline after a 2005 home game.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) stands on the bench and celebrates on the sideline during a 2006 home game.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) celebrates on the sideline during a 2006 home game.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) kicks the ball away during the Oct. 14, 2007 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs won 27-20.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) reads to children at a school in 2009.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) celebrates with teammates after the game.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) with team owner Clark Hunt and his son Knoble Hunt.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2), kicker Ryan Succup, and long snapper Thomas Gafford (48).
Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowlers pose together on the field after the game.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) stands next to long snapper Thomas Gafford (43) before the Sept. 21, 2014 away game against the Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs won 34-15.
Members of the Kansas City Chiefs took part in the 6th annual Big Slick weekend benefiting Children's Mercy Hospital, Friday, June 19, 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) practices catching a snap before the game.
The Kansas City Chiefs won 34-19 over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, August 15, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) helmet hangs in his locker prior to the preseason game against the Chicago Bears, Saturday, August 27, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2), kicker Cairo Santos (5) and long snapper James Winchester (41) pose for a picture prior to the game against the New York Jets, Sunday, September 25, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt shakes hands with Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) holds up two fingers during the game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) holds for a field goal during the game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, October 30, 2016, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) points to the sky after downing a punt inside the five yardline during the AFC Divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, January 15, 2017, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker D.J. Alexander (57) poses for a picture with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) and punter Dustin Colquitt (2) following day two the NFL Pro Bowl, Thursday, January 26, 2017, in Orlando, Florida.
Kansas City Chiefs specialist visited the Kansas City Community Gardens to help students in their garden, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) and long snapper James Winchester (41) pose with actor David Koechner before the NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) stands during the anthem prior to the game.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) punts the ball to the Titans in the second quarter of an NFL Wildcard football game against the Tennessee Titans in Kansas City, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) during practice 8/2/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St Joseph, Missouri
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) in action on 8/30/18 against the Packers in Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2)
Kansas City Chiefs vs Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on October 7, 2018
Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football October 21, 2018
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football October 21, 2018
Kansas City area children received dental health screenings at Arrowhead Stadium during Dustin Colquitt's annual TeamSmile event.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) and brother Britten Colquitt. Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Brown at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri on December 9, 2018.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) Kansas City Chiefs vs Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) Kansas City Chiefs vs Indianapolis Colts Divisional Playoff Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) celebrates during the AFC Championship Game Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) during 2019 Training Camp arrivals at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO.
Trent Green and Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) during a 2019 Training Camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) after a 2019 Training Camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) and Jamaal Charles during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on September 22, 2019.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) after the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots on December 8, 2019.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) and Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the game between The Kansas City Chiefs and The Houston Texans in the Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019.
The Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams during the Wednesday practice at the Miami Dolphins Training Facility on January 29, 2020.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) during Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on February 2, 2020.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) and Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt after Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on February 2, 2020.
Kansas City Chiefs Punter Dustin Colquitt (2) after Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on February 2, 2020.
The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate their Super Bowl LIV victory with a parade through downtown on February 5, 2020.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt reads to students at Operation Breakthrough for Read Across America Day on March 2, 2020.
