One Year Ago Today, Everything Changed for the Chiefs

by Chris Thorman on Dec 15, 2009 7:14 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

You remember what happened one year ago today, don't you?

Long time Kansas City Chiefs GM and President Carl Peterson resigned about 4 PM central time. The news was huge, unexpected and profoundly changed the the Kansas City Chiefs' franchise.

Let's jump back to that day:

"On behalf of my family and the entire Kansas City Chiefs organization, I want to thank Carl for his two decades of service to the Chiefs," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said. "Both Carl and I agreed that immediately initiating the search for the next Chiefs general manager would be the best thing for the future of the organization, and he will be resigning following the 2008 season."

Hunt said the search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. Vice President Denny Thum will serve as the Chiefs interim president and general manager.

And a new era began in Kansas City, as Chiefs owner Clark Hunt eventually hired Scott Pioli as general manager and then Todd Haley as the Chiefs' 11th head coach.

Reactions to Peterson's resignation were, to say the least, euphoric. Our poll in the wake of the resignation overwhelmingly approved of Peterson's resignation - 95% approval in fact. Here are some reactions to Peterson's resignation and Clark Hunt's radio interview from that night on December 15th, 2008:

"I cannot BELIEVE the amount of calls FROM ALL OVER the USA into 810. I have never seen so many long distance callers."
"I swear to God he [Clark Hunt] is describing Pioli exactly. Let's go, Pioli!"
"This is the most exciting day since the draft."
"It's an exciting time to be a Chiefs Fan! December 15th should become a national holiday!"
"This is exciting but I'll say thanks to Carl for some great years. I do wish you and your family well."
"FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WE ARE FREE AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Yes, Chiefs fans were excited on that day. Everything did change for the franchise, although we're still waiting out Pioli and Haley's first year to see if the results are any better than the Herm/Carl years.

How about it Chiefs fans? Are we better off right now without Carl Peterson?

Poll

Do you still approve of Carl Peterson resigning one year ago today?

Yes

901 votes

No

80 votes

981 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Rome wasnt built in a day

Stay the course. Pioly/Haley are wiling to make the required changes to get us better. Albeit with all these growing pains, I for one remain optimistic.

by chiefsfan62 on Dec 15, 2009 8:20 AM CST via mobile reply actions

It's funny to look back at that post

And see how few commenters there were. If that were today, you might’ve had three overflow threads. =)

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Dec 15, 2009 8:29 AM CST reply actions

Yup

That’s when AP blew up….we were only getting like 2-3,000 folks a day back then….my how times have changed now.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Dec 15, 2009 8:37 AM CST up reply actions

How many are you getting now?

Predictions:

Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010

by jmcgoblue on Dec 15, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

Well

When the season started up until about the middle of November it was 25,000/day or so (and 60,000) page views….now that number is almost cut in half. Happens every year around November when the Chiefs are pretty much out of it.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Dec 15, 2009 8:47 AM CST up reply actions

The draft will be our next big month

We should easily top 100,000 visitors on draft weekend….maybe even 150,000 since it’s starting on Thursday this year.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Dec 15, 2009 8:50 AM CST up reply actions

I'm doing my part to keep that number high, lol.

If you only knew...

by IISaiNtII on Dec 15, 2009 9:36 AM CST up reply actions

yep

if the Brothers’ Thorman get paid on page hits, they really need to send me a nice Christmas gift ’cuz trafficking AP has pretty much been my job since November ;)

I DO have a real job, just nothing going on at the end of the year :D

Predictions:

Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010

by jmcgoblue on Dec 15, 2009 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

The day the earth stopped standing still

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 15, 2009 8:50 AM CST reply actions

lol

Just like novocaine. give it time; always works..
The greater the fall, the grander the ascention..

by be cee on Dec 15, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

Peterson resigning was a big positive step in Chiefs history

I also remember being very big on his hiring, which was also right. I don’t think anyone knew of his “fatal flaw” back then, which was that he was allergic to developing QBs. I think if he’d been willing to do that he would have gotten a couple of SuperBowls. But that wasn’t his style. Carl I was thrilled when you came aboard and happy when you left. Thanks for all you did, but you left us a broken franchise.

-"A man may be a fool and not know it, but not if he is married." - H.L. Mencken

by Big Chief on Dec 15, 2009 8:55 AM CST reply actions

i can't see why anyone whould think this wasn't a good move

yet for some reason 30 people still think it was a mistake. you don’t have to like pioli or haley. i can even understand people thinking that their hireing was a mistake, but we were never going to win agian with carl ao his resigning was one of the best things to happen to this team in years.

UCrawford will eventually calm down and realize that Haley isn't a bad coach.
Will embrace the Fire Haley Bandwagon if we lose to the raiders by more then a TD...
..But we aren't going to lose.
LJ will not land in Pittsburgh
The Chiefs will not be the number one pick in this years draft
The Chiefs first pick of the draft will NOT be a OL
Thinks UCrawford just needs a hug... offer is there when you are ready UC :p

by Leaf on Dec 15, 2009 9:46 AM CST reply actions

see, Carl should have resigned a coupla years EARLIER

that said … he DID help bring the Chiefs back from a horrible era … Jack Steadman was a WONDERFUL guy but stayed too long … same with Carl: in the 90’s he (and Marty) had it going, Arrowhead was THE place to be, the atmosphere on game days was nothing short of electric … shame Carl didn’t leave when Uncle Dick retired, that would have been appropriate

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Dec 15, 2009 10:04 AM CST reply actions

If Carl had left with DV

his legacy in KC would have been much more positive, though I’m not sure we’d be in a better position than we are now. Who knows who Lamar would have brought in as a new GM…whoever it was, they would probably still be running the team today.

Predictions:

Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010

by jmcgoblue on Dec 15, 2009 11:10 AM CST up reply actions

true

it’s hard to say that we would be better off if carl had left earlier. probably not. with that being said, this being a hypothetical situation, i don’t think we would have the same GM if things continued to go down hill. if the new GM, couldn’t produce, i don’t think clark would keep him around since he’s not his guy. but it’s one of those things we’ll never know as it didn’t happen that way so every else is just speculation.

by Leaf on Dec 15, 2009 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

I'd wager that Herm - had he been brought in by a new GM, would have started the rebuild then ...

and we’d already be over the growing pains by now (instead of having to start all over again all over again)

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!

by upamtn on Dec 16, 2009 12:16 AM CST up reply actions

I agree, I think that since Carl was in charge for so long people forget what he did in the 90s.

People care about the Chiefs because of Carl Peterson. Before 1989 TV blackouts were the norm except for maybe the Raider game. That said, I think Carl should have been fired over the Willie Roaf fiasco.

Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.

by Rev. Slappy on Dec 15, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions

pioli

In pioli I trust. I would like to hear his answers on some of these play calls that haley calls. Cuz I know we r out of the playoff picture and all but is pioli just aiming to get draft picks at this point. I wonder if we even stay competitive against the browns.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Dec 15, 2009 10:28 AM CST via mobile reply actions

i don't see why not

what’s one more draft spot. not to mention pioli loves to trade down and a #6 pick is easier to unload then a #5

by Leaf on Dec 15, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

I almost voted no

But only because I felt Carl Peterson should’ve been fired, not allowed to resign. Also, I felt it should have happened around a decade earlier.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 15, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions

I don't think there's any doubt Carl was fired, no mater what wordage they used.

Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.

by Rev. Slappy on Dec 15, 2009 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

Carl who?

by Nick Britt on Dec 15, 2009 11:46 AM CST reply actions

Peterson was here at least 5 years too long

That’s about the time the huge contracts were given to declining players. He did well for us for years but the last 5 were stagnate no growth or development, did not look ahead at the Offensive line which was aging and he played favorites to players. We needed a new direction and I’m not sure Lamar wanted to go though all that before his passing, but I felt that when Clark took over Peterson’s days were numbered.

is it me? or isn't about time the Lamar Hunt trophy belonged to His team?

This Chiefs team is closer to a new expansion team than it is a playoff contender, your expectations should match that.

by KC Fanatic on Dec 15, 2009 11:54 AM CST reply actions

I think you're right on the 5 years thing.

Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.

by Rev. Slappy on Dec 15, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions

I'd say maybe ten years

Or maybe longer. I don’t know, when did he give Carlton Gray that contract?

by burntorangehorn on Dec 16, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

Remember remember the 15th of December,
The day we all loved alot.
I know of no reason why the resignation should ever be forgot.!

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on Dec 15, 2009 4:22 PM CST reply actions

i want to know why none of the people saying no are telling us why they think that way.

we’ve seen plenty of fans glad of uncle carl being gone, but haven’t seen any saying that they wish he was back. if you are going to vote that way, tell us why. if only so i can prove you wrong :p

by Leaf on Dec 15, 2009 5:01 PM CST reply actions

Perhaps it's because

even without saying anything at all, they’re being branded as idiots. If I felt that way – which I don’t – I certainly wouldn’t comment in this thread.

John

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"

by RDOGuy on Dec 15, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

lol

the branding wont be necessary.

Just like novocaine. give it time; always works..
The greater the fall, the grander the ascention..

by be cee on Dec 15, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

That's exactly what I'm talking about

So thanks for illustrating my point.

John

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"

by RDOGuy on Dec 15, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

hahaa i know..

and anytime! ;-)

Just like novocaine. give it time; always works..
The greater the fall, the grander the ascention..

by be cee on Dec 15, 2009 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

Except

that there really isn’t anything funny about it.

John

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"

by RDOGuy on Dec 15, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

so they are not only idiots, but cowards as well

nice :p

in all honesty i wouldn’t call them idiots unless they reason was stupid. everyone is entitled to their opinion. i myself don’t really care what people think. even if i’m i the vast minority, i’m still willing to voice my opinion.

by Leaf on Dec 19, 2009 11:11 AM CST up reply actions

I still remember it like it was just a year ago...

You beat me by 7 minutes!!!!!!

Don't forget to be an AP-vangelist...Tell A Friend...

by woodman212 on Dec 15, 2009 5:13 PM CST reply actions

Wheres the love?

I thought Joel would have re-posted my letter to Clark and gave me a cupcake with a candle in it…lol :)

Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!

I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.

by Lanier63 on Dec 15, 2009 7:26 PM CST reply actions