Warpaint (mascot)
Warpaint is a pinto horse that was a mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs National Football League (NFL) team. Three individual horses have been used for Warpaint. The horse is associated with the Chiefs' glory days at Municipal Stadium when the team won two American Football League (AFL) championships, and the horse led the team's victory parade after its win in Super Bowl IV. After the original Warpaint's retirement in 1989, the team used K. C. Wolf as their lone mascot from 1989 to 2009. In keeping with the celebration of the AFL's 50th anniversary, the Chiefs decided to bring back the tradition of Warpaint for the 2009 season, introducing the new horse at the team's home-opener against the Oakland Raiders, before being retired once again in 2021.[1]
History
Originally, the horse was ridden bareback by Bob Johnson, who wore a headdress in the style of ceremonial American Indian regalia.[2] Warpaint circled the field at the beginning of each game and after each touchdown. In a 1975 game against the Oakland Raiders, the Chiefs won 42–10, prompting Warpaint to circle the field for each of the Chiefs' six touchdowns.[2] Raiders head coach John Madden, following the loss, quipped that "We couldn't beat the Chiefs, but we damn near killed their horse".[2] After Bob Johnson retired, he was replaced in the 1978-79 season by Pete Runyan and Cheryl McDaniel, both local experienced riders who in a move toward gender equality took turns riding Warpaint after passing a bareback riding audition.
The first Warpaint was foaled in 1955, and the second in 1968. The second Warpaint died in 2005 at the age of 37 at Benjamin Stables in Kansas City where it is now buried. The horse made an appearance at a 1997 Chiefs game where it received a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd.[3]
Modern day
On September 20, 2009, a new Warpaint was unveiled at the Chiefs' home opener against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The horse is ridden by Susie, a Chiefs cheerleader, in contrast to the original headdress-clad rider in its first incarnation.[4] Due to a positive response from fans at the first appearance, Warpaint and Susie began to appear at all home games, including at pregame events. Warpaint would also make appearances at the Chiefs Training Camp for days with special events for fans.[5] On July 26, 2021, as a part of the team eliminating the use of Native American imagery, the Chiefs announced that Warpaint will be retired again.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Kansas City Chiefs aren't changing name. But they're putting Warpaint out to pasture". KansasCity.com.
- ^ a b c Chiefs cheerleaders and mascots Accessed 15 March 2008, archived 10 Feb 2012.
- ^ Veterinary Medical Review University of Missouri-Columbia Fall/Winter 1999 (pdf)
- ^ "Warpaint Returns to Arrowhead Stadium". 21 September 2009.
- ^ "Warpaint". Kansas City Chiefs. Retrieved 2013-12-10.