Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes on career of Royals outfielder Alex Gordon

Across the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot, over at Kauffman Stadium, longtime Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon announced his retirement on Thursday after 14 years with the team.

Gordon was selected by the Royals as the second overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft after a standout career at the University of Nebraska. He’d go through some tough sledding early in his career, but he rallied to become a three-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove Award winner and he became a World Series series champion in 2015.

During Thursday’s media availability, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and HC Andy Reid spoke about Gordon’s career and legacy. Mahomes, who bought into the Royals ownership group over the summer, believes that Gordon blazed the trail for players like him in Kansas City.

“He’s done everything the right way his entire career,” Mahomes said. “The amount of gold gloves that he’s won, I’ve seen him dive around the outfield growing up… and throwing people out at the plate. He’s someone that set the example of how to be in the Kansas City community and lead his team to championships and do it the right way on and off the field.”

Reid too believed that Gordon did things the right way on and off the field.

“Yeah, a big-time fan of his,” Reid said. “I used to joke with Alex Smith that they looked like brothers and both of them played about as reckless as each other too. They’re both great, great athletes. But I’m happy for Alex (Gordon). He gets another chapter of his life here started and I know he’ll enjoy that. He’s a family guy and he’ll enjoy being around family and whatever else ventures into his life after this. But what a great career, he did it the right way. Kansas City was lucky to have him and he was lucky to have Kansas City.”

Kansas City sure was lucky to have Gordon, from the diving catches in the outfield to his legendary work ethic and commitment to the community off the field. His presence will be missed, but his legacy won’t be forgotten by either the Royals or the Chiefs.