Inductees

Allen Wright went to his father when he was offered a full-time job by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984. At the time, he was working for the team as a courier and traveling on the weekends with a team on the World of Outlaws sprint car circuit and had aspirations to become a driver himself.

But when the Chiefs offered a full-time role in the equipment department, he had to give it some thought.

“My father told me I was crazy if I turned it down,” Wright said.

That was good advice.

More than 40 years later, Wright has built a remarkable career as the Chiefs equipment manager and helped the organization develop one of the most respected departments in the National Football League. That’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Wright into the Class of 2025.

“At the time I started as a courier, I never would’ve thought I was at the beginning of a path that would lead to such an incredible, fulfilling career,” Wright said. “I’ve always told my son to find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m fortunate to have found my true calling.”

When Wright started, it was a staff of three. He took over as equipment manager in 2011, and the department now consists of eight full-time staff with 20-plus gameday staff.

“As I began my first season in the equipment room, I remember thinking about the similarities between preparing for game day and preparing for race day. You had to prepare ahead of time, be prepared for anything and then think fast when issues arise,” Wright said. “I think that’s why I’ve lasted so long in the industry. You spend all week getting ready for game day and there’s a sense of fulfillment knowing you’re ready. Then the quiet calm of the morning of the game and the rush you feel during the game, there’s nothing like it.”

The Chiefs have reached the playoffs 21 times during Wright’s tenure, including 15 winning seasons between 1989 and 2009 under the era of Carl Peterson (MSHOF President’s Award 2023). In coach Andy Reid’s first 12 years, the team has added 198 wins, five Super Bowl appearances and two championships.

Wright has overseen every detail of player preparation, from training camp – where nearly 100 players require his guidance and support – to the postseason stage. His work ensures the Chiefs are ready to perform at the highest level.

“We pride ourselves in gaining the reputation as one of the best equipment departments in the league. The men in our department are the anchors that afford our coaches and players the ability to concentrate on football,” he said. “Win or lose, we’ve created a culture of professionalism. Our philosophy is, not having something a player or coach needs is not an option. If players aren’t distracted by the wrong shoes or gloves, they can concentrate on playing.”

Wright led the equipment operation for seven international games and was the first equipment manager to pass the Equipment Manager Association Certification Test and earned the New Era Equipment Manager of the Year award in 2015 and then won the same award from the NFL in 2018.

In 2017, he earned the Innovation in Safety Award from the Maxwell Football Club and co-sponsor VICIS, a developer of high-tech football helmets.

“We pride ourselves in keeping up with technology and keeping the players informed as well,” Wright said. “As an equipment department, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and do the research. An example of this is that we were the first team in the NFL to wear VICIS helmets. It was a new product and, unlike any other helmet that had been worn, in most situations, players are reluctant to try anything new. But because we had gained the trust of the team, they were more willing to accept our input.”

To Wright, the Marty Schottenheimer and Andy Reid eras stand out, not only because of the winning culture, but because they were teachers. He also has had the support of his wife, Lisa, and their son, Andrew.

“I’ve learned that if the world could operate like a locker room there would be a lot less problems,” he said. “You don’t always get along with everyone but, if there is a common goal, it brings you together. We talk about, laugh about and accept our differences. We celebrate the wins and get each other through the losses.”