This week when the Broncos take on the Chiefs in Kansas City, there will be some new aspects to the venue, but the rivalry is one of the oldest for both teams.

Kansas City had one of the most remarkable building projects in American sports history 40 years ago when the city built the Harry S. Truman sports complex, stunning to look at as you drive by and featuring two separate stadiums that have become iconic among American venues.

The baseball park is a beautiful park which underwent a remodel job a few years ago, and then Arrowhead Stadium had its turn.

Already among the most visually striking stadiums in the National Football League, all the improvements at Arrowhead were done without damage to the singularly impressive architecture of the Chiefs’ home.

They added all the usual bells and whistles to enhance the fan experience and went one step further by creating the Kansas City Chiefs Museum, a tribute to the Chiefs and to the American Football League, the birth home for both the Chiefs and the Broncos.

So, “new” stadium, same raucous fans, same intense rivalry.

Thus week’s game will be the 800th regular or postseason game in Broncos franchise history.

Last week, the Chiefs recorded their 400th win in regular season play.

The Broncos have won two of their last three games at Arrowhead, including last season’s 44-13 win that represented the most points scored by Denver against the Chiefs on the road (the Chiefs began play as the Dallas Texans from 1960-62, as AFL fans will recall).

Both teams have won Super Bowls, the Chiefs becoming the second AFL team ever to do so and the Broncos winning back to back titles in 1997 and 1998, including a stirring road win at Arrowhead in 1997, one of the most memorable playoff wins in Denver history.

Three Hall of Fame quarterbacks have played in this series, John Elway for the Broncos and Len Dawson and Joe Montana for the Chiefs.

This is one of the best rivalries in Denver history, particularly with Kansas City being the closest geographical franchise to the Mile High City. Plenty of Chiefs fans make the drive—or fly—to Denver when the Chiefs come here, and Broncos fans similarly enjoy the short hop to KC for what is always an intense game.

Also, when it is December in Kansas City the Christmas lights adorn Country Club Plaza as well, giving a great holiday glow to the City of Fountains.

Some of our fans will travel there, most will watch on television, but all of us should be aware of the atmosphere surrounding this rivalry between two AFL originals.

Tags: 2010, Denver Broncos, Jim Saccomano, Kansas City Chiefs

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