October 21, 2025 | Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City Chiefs community continues to grieve following the tragic passing of Warren McVea — a trailblazing running back, Super Bowl IV champion, and one of the franchise’s earliest icons. McVea, 79, reportedly suffered a heart attack just hours after attending Kansas City’s dominant 31–0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday night.

Among those paying tribute was former Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Monday morning to share an emotional message honoring McVea’s legacy. “He’s a legend in my heart,” Smith-Schuster . “Mr. McVea was more than a football player — he was a pioneer. The love and pride he had for Kansas City was unmatched. Every time I put on that red and gold, I thought about men like him who built the foundation.”

McVea made history long before joining the NFL. In the 1960s, he became the first Black athlete to receive a football scholarship at a major Texas university, breaking racial barriers at the University of Houston. His courage and excellence opened doors for generations of players to follow.

After being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, McVea was traded to Kansas City the following year — just in time to help the Chiefs capture their first Super Bowl title. During that 1969 season, he rushed for over 500 yards and played a key role in one of the league’s most balanced offenses.

Smith-Schuster, who spent the 2022 season with the Chiefs and helped the team win Super Bowl LVII, said he learned about McVea’s contributions through team archives and personal conversations with long-time staff members.

“You realize how much of what we have today came from guys like Warren,” he added. “He carried a city, a culture, and a dream on his shoulders. I never met him personally, but his story inspired me to play with heart every Sunday.”

Fans across Chiefs Kingdom echoed Smith-Schuster’s words, flooding timelines with photos and memories of McVea in the team’s classic red-and-white uniforms.

As Kansas City prepares for another deep playoff push, the organization is expected to honor McVea with a pregame tribute at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend.

For JuJu Smith-Schuster and countless others who followed in McVea’s footsteps, the message remains clear — legends never truly leave. “He may be gone,” JuJu said, “but what he stood for — that spirit — it’ll always live on in Chiefs Kingdom.”