Why Are Chiefs Wearing the White-on-White Alternate Uniform vs Falcons? Revealing Reason Behind the Team’s New Colors

The Week 3 thriller is coming soon! The Kansas City Chiefs will be facing off against the Atlanta Falcons. And it will be their first on-road game of this season, as they will be traveling to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 22. But this isn't the only first thing happening for the Chiefs this season. There is something else, which the Red Army is heading with on Sunday, i.e. – the changed uniform.

The Chiefs' official X page shared a teaser of their new alternate uniform on Thursday. For it, they featured star defensive player, Chris Jones, who appeared in the video wearing white-on-white, as the music of battle played welcoming him. This gave fans the confirmation that Patrick Mahomes' team is going to wear an all-white uniform, instead of their regular white-and-red combo in the SNF. But the question is why? What's the reason behind them wearing their alternate white-on-white uniforms?

Well, the answer to this is reportedly superstitions. Yes! As the team is going to welcome their first on-road game of this season, what would have been better than introducing their entry into a different state with a new uniform choice and some luck? Hence, the team is opting for this alternate uniform, because historically, via the KC Star, "dating to the 2000 season, the Gridiron Uniform Database shows the Chiefs have a 19-14 record when wearing white jerseys and pants in a game."

In addition to it, the report also states that "since 2020, the Chiefs have won five of six in all-white." And if we look at the last season's data, the Chiefs wore this color combination twice. One against the Minnesota Vikings , where Patrick Mahomes' team defeated them 27-20 in Week 5. And the other one, when they lost to the Packers 27-19 in Week 13.

So, in total, till now, the Chiefs have worn this color combination six times in Patrick Mahomes ' era. And against the Falcons this time, the number will increase to seven. But that doesn't mean, this all-white uniform started from only Patrick Mahomes' era. Yes, it has its superstitious past as well.

The Chiefs and their on-off superstitions for all-white! The Chiefs' white-on-white uniforms carry a strange history with it! According to history, it all began with their Super Bowl I loss to the Packers . On January 15, 1967, the Chiefs lost to Green Bay with 35-10. Now as obvious, the frustration was palpable. Hence, after that crushing defeat, coach Hank Stram, who was also known to be superstitious, banned the all-white look for 20 years. Imagine the level of fear of losing and the superstition behind it. But this combo was experimented with once again.

When, in 1989, coach Marty Schottenheimer arrived on the team, the combo made its return. And now, fast forward to today, "the Chiefs are 4-2 in white-on-white since 2018." But it's more than just stats. This all-white uniform has become a symbol of second chances for the Chiefs as if a symbol of rewriting a painful past. And with NFL rules allowing teams to wear alternates just three times a season, the Chiefs have chosen it wisely.

In this Week 3 game against the Falcons , Kansas City knew how to make a statement, and hence, they opted for white-on-white. They are just left with two more chances to sport their alternates. And perhaps, Patrick Mahomes' team will be saving it for the right moments later this season.

By that time, take a look at our latest Think Tank exclusive interview with Doug Sanders. This session comes up with insights on the current NFL season, college football, NIL, and much more.