Manhattan resident Curt Herrman has been collecting Kansas City Chiefs memorabilia since 1970.
In recent years, his home collection of close to 1,500 unique items tied to the defending Super Bowl champions, has even found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Herrman fulfilled another dream of his Friday, as members of the Chiefs Ambassadors formally recognized his Chiefseum.
“I’m thrilled to have the Chiefs Ambassadors come to recognize this. They’re such a great group too. They’re former players. Over the years they’ve raised millions of dollars for kids programs and for people in need. I hope someday I’ll get the opportunity to help them out with one of their fundraisers,” Herrman said.
Former Chiefs player John Lohmeyer, an Emporia native who played at Emporia State, presented Herrman Friday with another item to add to his collection, a football signed by the Chiefs first-round draft pick, rookie and former Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
“We thought it was symbolic of coming back, kind of the trilogy of Kansas City, Manhattan and Felix. Curt’s collection may not have as much current day Chiefs memorabilia as he would like, so we want to move him in that direction,” Lohmeyer said.
Herrman’s collection mostly includes memorabilia of past players rather than current, though he has made some exceptions in recent years, to include Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Coach Andy Reid.
“I don’t really buy current players because they end up going to the Broncos or Raiders,” he said. “I do have some Mahomes and Kelce items and an Andy Reid autographed picture.”
Former Chiefs linebacker Jon McGraw, who played at Riley County High School and also under Bill Snyder at K-State, says the collection shows the importance of the relationship between players and fans.
“Sometimes it’s easy when you’re in the middle of it to forget just how this machine doesn’t work without the fans and we don’t always get the chance to celebrate the fans and let them know how much we appreciate like we should,” McGraw said.
Friday’s event also saw Chiefs Ambassadors displaying championship rings from the Chiefs two most recent Super Bowl wins and the Super Bowl LIV trophy, which Herrman says was significant.
“I really wanted that (Super Bowl) LIV trophy to see that one because it’s really symbolic of my collection. I started collecting after they won Super Bowl IV in 1970 and that’s when I got my first item,” Herrman said.
Herrman invited some of his closest friends and family to the ceremony, which included stories from the Chiefs past and present as well as photo opportunities with both Lohmeyer and McGraw.
