You’re sitting in I-70 traffic. Or maybe you're out in the driveway, refusing to go inside because the fourth quarter just started. If you're a Chiefs fan, you aren't just watching the TV on mute; you're listening to the chiefs play by play on the radio. There is something visceral about it.
Television is great for the visuals, but it’s sterile. The announcers are often national guys who might call a Chiefs game one week and a Giants game the next. They don't know the soul of the city. But the radio? That’s different. It’s loud. It’s biased. It’s "Touchdown, Kan-Zas City!"
Mitch Holthus has been the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs for over three decades. Think about that. He’s seen the dark years of the mid-2000s, the "prevent defense" heartbreaks, and the current era of absolute dominance. When you listen to the chiefs play by play, you aren't just getting a description of a slant route. You're getting a piece of Kansas City history.
The Mechanics of the Chiefs Play by Play Broadcast
It isn't just one guy talking into a mic. It’s a literal production. You’ve got Mitch Holthus on the play-by-play, usually paired with a color analyst—formerly the legendary Len Dawson, and more recently, Danan Hughes.
Hughes brings the player's perspective. He played wide receiver for the Chiefs from 1993 to 1998. He knows what it’s like to look up at the red sea of Arrowhead Stadium. While Mitch handles the frantic energy of a 13-second drive, Hughes breaks down why the safety cheated toward the middle of the field.
Most people don't realize the delay. If you try to sync the radio to the TV, you’re going to have a bad time. The radio is usually ahead. You’ll hear the roar of the crowd and Mitch screaming about a Patrick Mahomes scramble before the ball is even snapped on your 4K television. Some fans actually use "radio delay" apps just to make sure they can hear the local guys while watching the screen. It’s a lot of work, but for a true fan, it’s mandatory.
The broadcast originates from the 101 The Fox (KCFX) booth. From there, it spider-webs out to the "Chiefs Fox Football Radio Network." This is one of the largest footprints in the NFL. We’re talking over 100 stations across multiple states. Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma—they all pipe in that same energy.
Why We Crave Local Voices Over National Broadcasts
National announcers have to be objective. Or at least, they try to be. But who wants objectivity when your season is on the line?
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When the chiefs play by play hits the airwaves, there’s an unspoken agreement: we are all on the same team. Mitch Holthus famously uses the phrase "Chiefs Kingdom." He didn't just stumble onto that; he helped build the brand. His excitement isn't manufactured for a highlight reel. It’s the sound of a guy who lives and breathes Missouri football.
Let's talk about the cadence. A good play-by-play man is like a conductor.
- The huddle: Low energy, setting the scene, mentioning the clock.
- The snap: Voice rises. The "verbal font" gets bigger.
- The contact: Short, punchy words. "Hit!" "Wrapped up!" "Escapes!"
- The result: The payoff.
If it’s a touchdown, Mitch goes into his signature call. It’s iconic. It’s a Pavlovian response for anyone who grew up in the Midwest. You hear that specific tone, and your brain immediately releases dopamine. It doesn't matter if you're 5 or 85.
The Technical Side: Behind the Mic
What does a play-by-play sheet even look like? It’s a mess of highlighters and tiny text.
Announcers use "spotting boards." These are large sheets of paper with every player’s number, height, weight, college, and a few "nuggets" of info. If a backup linebacker makes a tackle on special teams, the announcer has about 1.5 seconds to find number 54 on the sheet and identify him.
Mitch and the team also have "spotters" in the booth. These people literally point at the players on the field so the announcer doesn't have to look down at the board. It’s a high-speed dance. If the spotter points to the wrong guy, the announcer says the wrong name to millions of people. The pressure is insane.
Famous Calls That Defined an Era
You can't talk about chiefs play by play without mentioning the 2019 and 2022 playoff runs.
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Remember the comeback against the Texans? Down 24-0? The radio broadcast that day went from funeral-silent to a literal explosion of noise. Or the "13 Seconds" game against the Bills. While the national TV broadcast was trying to keep up with the sheer insanity of the clock management, Holthus was narrating a miracle.
"They have life!"
That’s the difference. A national guy says "Mahomes to Kelce, first down." Mitch says "They have life." He’s narrating the emotional state of a million people simultaneously.
How to Listen: The Modern Landscape
In the old days, you needed a battery-powered Sony walkman. Now? It’s everywhere.
- KCFX 101.1 FM: The flagship. If you’re in KC, this is the source.
- The Chiefs Mobile App: Usually has the stream, though NFL blackout rules can be a pain depending on where you are geographically.
- NFL+: The league's subscription service usually carries the home and away radio feeds.
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM carries every game, but you have to find the specific Chiefs channel to get the local call instead of the opponent's.
It's actually gotten harder to find "free" radio streams online because of the NFL's tight grip on broadcasting rights. If you’re outside the 100-mile radius of Kansas City, you might find your local station "going dark" on their internet stream during the game. It’s annoying, but it’s the reality of sports media in 2026.
Beyond Mitch: The Legacy of KC Sports Radio
Before Mitch, there was the "Coolest Man in Football," Len Dawson. Having a Hall of Fame quarterback in the booth gave the chiefs play by play an authority that other teams lacked. Len didn't have to guess what a quarterback was thinking; he had been there.
When Len stepped away, it was the end of an era, but the transition to the current team was seamless because the "culture" of the broadcast stayed the same. It remained fan-centric.
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Actionable Tips for the Best Listening Experience
If you want to elevate your Sunday, stop relying on the TV audio.
Invest in a digital radio with a delay function. There are specific devices designed for sports fans that allow you to pause the radio signal for a few seconds. This lets you perfectly sync Mitch Holthus’s voice with the action you’re seeing on your television. It’s a game-changer.
Check the signal strength early. If you’re using a traditional FM tuner, remember that weather and buildings can mess with the signal. Tune in 30 minutes before kickoff during the "Chiefs Fox Football Daily" or the pre-game show to make sure you have a clear channel.
Follow the "Second Screen." Listen to the play-by-play while following beat writers like Nate Taylor or Matt Derrick on social media. The radio gives you the emotion; the beat writers give you the injury updates and "sideline looks" that the cameras miss. Combining these creates the most "expert" viewing experience possible.
The chiefs play by play isn't just a service for the blind or people in cars. It is the definitive soundtrack of the season. Whether we are winning Super Bowls or grinding out a tough divisional game in the snow, that voice in your ear is what makes you feel like you’re actually part of the Kingdom.
Next time the Chiefs are on, try it. Turn down the TV. Turn up the radio. Hear the difference between a broadcast and a homecoming.