On Tuesday, an era came to an end for the Chiefs as the actor who played mascot KC Wolf hung up his costume after 35 years. The search for a successor to the highly paid job is in full swing.

On National Mascot Day, which was celebrated in the US on Tuesday, one of the NFL’s most legendary mascots ended his career.

Dan Meers, who played KC Wolf for the Kansas City Chiefs for 35 years, hung up his costume for good.

“To say that I am a blessed man is an understatement. For the past 35 years, I have had my dream job,” Meers said in his farewell speech:

“I have worked for the team I love, in the city I love, with the people I love. After all these years, I hope the Chiefs Kingdom knows how much I love and appreciate it. I have memories and stories that will last a lifetime.”

Today’s a big day for the man behind the mask, and not just because it’s National Mascot Day. After 35 years as KC Wolf, Dan Meers will be officially hanging up the suit.

Dan has been an integral part of ChiefsKingdom for over three decades and has cemented himself as one of… pic.twitter.com/RwJZB0tOT4

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 17, 2025

Dan Meers: A life as a mascot

Surprisingly, Meers spent practically his entire professional life as a mascot, though not always with the Chiefs. While still a student at the University of Missouri, he slipped into the role of “Truman the Tiger,” the college team’s mascot.

Meers was considered one of the best college mascots in the country at the time, finishing second in the National Collegiate Mascot Championships in 1988 and 1990, and was even named the best college mascot in the US in 1989.

After graduating from university, Meers took a brief detour into baseball, supporting the St. Louis Cardinals as Fredbird before joining the Chiefs and slipping into the role of the gray plush wolf in 1990.

KC Wolf accompanied the Chiefs to twelve different countries

Over the next 35 years, the famous mascot made more than 10,000 appearances and accompanied the Chiefs to twelve different countries. Including preseason games, KC Wolf appeared at 375 of the team’s games, and the mascot was also present at the International Game in Frankfurt in 2023.

The reward: KC Wolf was selected for the Pro Bowl 14 times and inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006. The Chiefs are currently searching for a successor, and according to the franchise, initial discussions have already taken place.

To help us celebrate Dan’s retirement, we’re collecting Chiefs Kingdom’s favorite memories with KC Wolf

Send in your pics or videos with KC Wolf throughout the years: https://t.co/mFwHyYPLio pic.twitter.com/EFMZM1LKob

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 17, 2025

KC Wolf: Talks with successors underway

There should be plenty of interested parties, as this dream job comes with a good salary. According to expert estimates, top mascots like KC Wolf in the NFL earn up to $200,000 per year.

However, the new KC Wolf will have very big shoes to fill, and the job is not without its dangers. Meers suffered several broken bones two years ago while training for a stunt.

That’s why it’s a great advantage that Dan Meers will remain with the franchise as a consultant.

And should the new KC Wolf be unavailable at short notice, he would slip back into the famous wolf costume as a backup.