In 1963, when Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt decided to move his Dallas Texans to Kansas City, he needed support in selling season tickets to the football games at Municipal Stadium. Mayor H. Roe Bartle brought the business community in to assist the Chiefs with the task of selling season tickets. These individuals took to the streets, storefronts, neighborhoods and everywhere possible to sell tickets. In turn, these business executives became united and known as the 'Red Coaters'. At each home game from the inaugural football season, the Red Coaters were a part of the pre-game pageantry and formed a 'tunnel' for the Chiefs to run through during team introductions.
Throughout the years, the Red Coaters were not only the catalysts in helping the Chiefs sell season tickets but also to assist with the renewal program and serve as key liaisons between the season ticket holder and the administration.
In 1992, The Red Coaters put their efforts into a plan of celebrating the start of the NFL season… with Red Friday! Red Friday began with Red Coaters taking to the street corners of Kansas City selling newspapers with a special Chiefs edition to benefit local charities. Fans throughout the region celebrate Red Friday by donning red in support of their favorite team – in offices, schools and homes. Since its inception, Red Friday has generated over $600,000 for local charities.
Red Friday celebrated its 21th Anniversary in 2013. Red Coaters continue to make Red Friday a highly successful event and fundraiser at the start of the NFL season. Red Coaters, along with Chiefs Chairman & CEO Clark Hunt, Chiefs Executives, Ambassadors, Cheerleaders, KC Wolf, Celebrities and many volunteers continue to take to street corners throughout Kansas City and in addition, team up with CEO's of Businesses and Chiefs Sponsors to sell the Red Friday Magazine and raise money for the Chiefs Children's Fund.
In 2010, the Red Coaters refocused their efforts from season ticket holder sales and service to representing the team at civic and charitable programs throughout the community.
In 2011, The Red Coaters contributed more than 3100 hours of community service in the Kansas City area and in support of a very special project, 'Christmas for the Children of Joplin'. Over 1200 gifts were purchased on behalf of the Chiefs Organization and the Red Coaters along with the Chiefs Cheerleaders and Chiefs Staff wrapped the gifts and delivered them to 4 elementary schools within the Joplin area.
In 2012, The Red Coaters contributed more than 3500 hours of community service in Kansas City in addition many went to Joplin on two occasions to assist with rebuilding of homes and building a playground. Additional participation included visiting patients at the VA Hospital and raised over $40,000 on Red Friday benefiting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kansas City.
In 2013, Red Coaters volunteered over 4000 hours in the community and for stadium events at Arrowhead. In addition, $75,000 was raised on the sale of Red Friday Magazines benefiting the Ronald McDonald House.
In 2014, the Red Coaters were a part of Arrowhead history as they led the crowd to 142.2 decibels taking the title of the Guinness World Record loudest crowd roar back to Kansas City. They were instrumental in the birth of a new tradition at Arrowhead with the pregame parade and a part of the largest Red Friday in Chiefs history. As a whole, they served over 4,200 hours of community outreach on behalf of the Chiefs organization.
Currently, there are 70 Active Red Coaters. Red Coaters range in years of active status from 1 year to 43 years as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Red Coat Program.
