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Mascot Farewell & NFL Stars Return | The Daily Chief – July 2nd

The NFL’s longest-tenured mascot says goodbye, Travis Kelce reveals his biggest regret, Darren Waller un-retires, and Randy Moss returns to ESPN. Plus: we explain what a tight end does in our fan education corner!

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Daily Chiefs
July 02, 2025

Chiefs Mascot, Dan Meers, Retires After 35 Years
One of the longest-running figures in team history, Dan Meers—the man inside KC Wolf’s suit—is retiring after 35 years of entertaining fans. His legacy spans generations of Chiefs Kingdom.

  • 🎙️ Travis Kelce reveals that his biggest regret? Starring in “Catching Kelce”

  • 🎓 NFL training camp opens in just 20 days… are you ready?

📚 Daily Fan Education

What Makes Someone a Hall of Famer in the NFL?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the highest honor an NFL player, coach, or contributor can achieve. But getting in? It’s not easy—and it’s not based on just stats.

🏛️ Who’s Eligible?

  • A player or coach becomes eligible 5 years after retirement.

  • Contributors (like owners, executives, or league officials) can be considered at any time.

🗳️ Who Votes?
There’s a 49-person Selection Committee made up mostly of NFL media members from across the country, with one voter per NFL city, plus at-large members and Hall of Famers. They’re the ones who review nominees and cast votes.

📋 What’s Considered?
It’s not just numbers. Voters look at:

  • On-field impact (Were they dominant?)

  • Championships and awards (MVPs, All-Pros, Pro Bowls)

  • Legacy (Did they change how the game is played?)

  • Consistency & longevity (Did they do it well for a long time?)

🏆 How Many Make It?
Each year, a maximum of 8 people can be inducted:

  • Up to 5 Modern-Era players

  • Plus up to 3 from other categories (Seniors, Coaches, Contributors)

Nominees are narrowed down from dozens to 25 semi-finalists, then 15 finalists. Finally, each finalist must receive at least 80% of the committee’s vote to get in.

🧠 Fun Fact:
Not making it in the first year isn’t a bad thing—many legends waited years before getting their gold jacket!

Shoutout to @CrazyCat555 on X for the Education Topic today!

Want your question answered in a future Newsletter? Just reply to this email, or @ me on X with your questions!

🔥 Around the NFL…

Darren Waller Comes Out of Retirement to Join Dolphins
The Dolphins have traded for former Giants TE Darren Waller, who’s coming out of retirement just weeks after Miami dealt Jonnu Smith. A wild twist for their offense.

📌 Other NFL Buzz:

  • 🙏 Randy Moss is returning to ESPN’s Sunday Countdown after his battle with cancer

  • 🚀 Chargers rookie WR Ladd McConkey made the NFL Top 100—an extremely rare feat

  • 🏈 NFL football returns July 31st with Chargers vs. Lions in the Hall of Fame Game

🗓️ Upcoming Dates

📆 July 7 – Kansas legislative session resumes (stadium funding talks)
📅 July 22 – Chiefs Training Camp begins
🏟️ July 31 – Hall of Fame Game: Chargers vs. Lions
🎖️ August 13 – Final open practice at camp; Military Appreciation Day

🧠 Did You Know?

The Kansas City Chiefs had NEVER hosted an AFC Championship Game in Arrowhead before the Mahomes era? 🏈 

Now they have hosted 6 of the last 7! 🔥

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