This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Danan Hughes, one of the unsung heroes on the special teams unit in the 1990s.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Hughes opened up about his upcoming appearance at the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar on October 26 and 27 in Las Vegas. He also reflected on his touchdown reception from a pass by a Hall of Fame running back, and his favorite memories with the Chiefs.
“Yeah, I’m excited. Getting to Vegas is always exciting, and that was the scene of our Super Bowl win this past year,” Hughes said. “It will be fun to get back there and play against the Raiders up until this point. That is also the team that was the last to beat us last season before we went on the run to win the Super Bowl. So there’s always an incentive to be in Raider Nation and play against the rivals in the Las Vegas Raiders. But then, being a part of that event with my former teammate, Mark McMillan should also be fun. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It should be a blast to get out there. There will be a lot of Chiefs fans and Raiders fans, and it should be fun to mix and mingle.”
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar is located just steps away from Allegiant Stadium at Mandalay Bay and creates a “50-yard-line” experience with a 30 ft. LED viewing screen commanding the main dining room and TVs throughout.
Hughes opened up on a famous touchdown pass he caught on Monday Night Football in 1997 from Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen.
“Yeah, it was great,” Hughes said of the trick play. “We had practiced it for a few weeks before, and it being Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers made it even more rewarding. For a guy who had a few starts at wide receiver but was mainly known for my special team’s acumen and being a captain of the special teams for four of my six years, it was always rewarding to be able to get an opportunity to be in on offense and be intricate in a scoring drive. So that’s a great memory. It’s one of my highlights.”
The touchdown reception was great, but it was not necessarily Hughes’ favorite with the Chiefs because choosing one is complicated.
“People always ask me what the most memorable moment I had,” Hughes continued. “It’s tough because the first thing that comes to mind is a play like that, but then, being in the huddle with Joe Montana, being a part of the AFC Championship, walking out, I got a picture in my basement of going to a coin toss as a captain, and in the picture is Joe, Montana, Marcus, Allen, Neil Smith, I believe Derek Thomas and Dan Marino because we were playing the Miami Dolphins.
“I’m like, somebody doesn’t belong in this picture, so for me to be a part of that and have that memory. It’s tough to pinpoint one because I was a part of so many great times and great memories that I can still recollect, and the Chiefs fans still remember them. There are times when people will come up to me at the stadium or if I’m at a restaurant and talk about the 90s and some of the great games, Monday Night Football, winning close games, being a part of some great drives, and the miracle at Mile High that just made it so special. So all of it has been a true blessing for me.”
For more information on the Chiefs Kingdom Tailgate at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, log on to flankerlv.com
