Seven with Chiefs connections nominated for College Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame announced the names of those nominated for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame — including 78 players and seven coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and 99 players and 33 coaches from the Divisional ranks.

FBS and Divisional inductees into the College Hall of Fame will be announced in early 2021.

Seven of the nominated players have ties to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Eric Bieniemy, Colorado — Running Back — 1990 unanimous first team All-American and finished third in 1990 Heisman voting… played in two national championships, leading Buffs to 1990 national title… two-time All-Big 8 pick, still holding eight CU records.

Bieniemy is the team’s current offensive coordinator, a position he’s held for the last two seasons. He first joined the coaching staff at running backs coach in 2013.

Tony Gonzalez, California — Tight End — 1996 consensus first team All-American and first team All-Pac 10 selection… holds Cal record for receptions in a bowl game (9 in 1996 Aloha Bowl)… posted 89 receptions for 1,302 yards and eight touchdowns during career.

Selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft, Gonzalez played 12 seasons in Kansas City before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He is on the Chiefs Ring of Honor and has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

John Dorsey, Connecticut — Linebacker — Named first team All-American in 1983… led the team in tackles from 1981-83… two-time Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year (1982-83).

Dorsey became an NFL executive after playing five seasons for the Green Bay Packers. He served as general manager of the Chiefs from 2013 through 2016.

Boomer Grigsby, Illinois State — Linebacker — three-time first team All-American (2002-04) and FCS career leader in total (550) and solo (325) tackles… only three-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year in league history… no. 2 all-time in FCS averaging 12.50 tackles per game in career.

Drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Grisgby became a fan favorite as a linebacker and special-teams player during his first two seasons. He played one more year in Knasas City as a fullback.

Morten Andersen, Michigan State — Placekicker — 1981 first team All-American who left MSU as the Big 10’s all-time leader in field goals (45)… set still-standing conference record with 63-yard field goal in 1981 and was a three-time All-Big 10 performer… led the Spartans in scoring for three seasons.

Anderson spent two seasons of his 25-year NFL Hall of Fame career with the Chiefs, where he made 82.6% of his field goal attempts from 2002 to 2003.

Jack Del Rio, USC — Linebacker — 1984 consensus first team All-American who earned Co-MVP honors in the Trojans 1985 Rose Bowl win… two-time first team All-Pac 10 selection, leading USC to the 1984 Pac 10 title… led the Trojans in tackles for loss his first three seasons.

Now better known as an NFL coach, Del Rio spent two seasons of his 10-year NFL playing career with the Chiefs (1987 and 1988) as an outside linebacker.

C.J. Spiller, Clemson — Running Back/Kick Returner — 2009 unanimous first team All-America kick returner, also earning second team All-America honors as a running back the same year… 2009 ACC Player of the Year who set 31 Clemson records by career’s end… career all-purpose yards (7,588) ranks first all-time in ACC annals and fourth all-time in NCAA history.

After a seven-year career with four NFL teams, the Chiefs signed Spiller to a one-year contract in February 2017. Over the course of the next season, he was cut (and re-signed) by the team four times. He played in one game, gaining no yards in two carries.