“All I ever wanted to do was play pro football.” This was what the late John Amos shared once in conversation with the Chiefs for a website feature. When a football legend retires, we say he’s hanging up his cleats or heading to Canton. But with Amos’ passing at 84, you could say he’s riding off into the sunset. His publicist announced it on Tuesday and confirmed he passed away on August 21 from natural causes. But why is this big news in the Chiefs Kingdom? Well, Amos wasn’t just a Hollywood icon known for Good Times or Coming to America. Before the big screen, he had NFL dreams.

Amos once tried out for the Kansas City Chiefs. John Amos saw football as his ticket out of East Orange, New Jersey. And though life had other plans, he didn’t let go of that passion easily. Coming out of Colorado State University, he gave it his best shot with several teams. Amos was an ambitious man since the start and that’s what led him to give trials for the Denver Broncos and the Chiefs.

Ever wonder what would’ve happened if he’d made the roster? Imagine Amos suited up in red and gold, before ever stepping foot in Hollywood. He even joked about how his first NFL experience ended with him limping home just days after signing with the Broncos. “I literally walked to training camp and when I got cut, I limped back home,” Amos recalled. It’s a tough gig trying to make it in pro football, but even though he was cut 13 times, Amos didn’t walk away from football. He stayed a diehard Chiefs fan, keeping his passion for the game alive.

In fact, when the then-Chiefs head coach Hank Stram cut him, he didn’t just send Amos on his way. Stram famously told him, “You are not a football player; you are a young man who happens to be playing football.” That piece of advice? It stuck with Amos for life; it was Stram’s way of telling him that maybe, just maybe, he was meant for something bigger than the NFL. And how true it turned out to be.

After John Amos’ demise, will the Chiefs would do something to honor this former player-turned-actor or not is an interesting dilemma to have. But you can be assured that the pigskin fanatics are mourning his death.

RIP legend, John Amos

We could talk endlessly about John Amos’ brief stint in football, but that’s a chapter long closed. Instead, we must be celebrating his career in TV and film, where he truly shined. A legacy that spanned over five decades. Remember his Emmy-nominated role as Kunta Kinte in Roots? One fan wrote: “RIP legend.” With honors like the TV Land “Impact Award” and his induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2020, o one can call him anything less than a legend. And he was not just behind the cameras, or on the screen, John Amos had varied interests growing up.

Fans remembered his football ties too, as one fan wrote, “He actually had a cup of tea with the Chiefs as a player. Made out extremely well as an actor in the end. RIP.” Even with an acting career that left a lasting imprint, Amos’ heart never strayed too far from the gridiron. That little piece of his past reminds us how intertwined both dreams and achievements can be.

Amos never shied away from showing his love for the Kansas City Chiefs, often spotted at Arrowhead in full Chiefs gear. So, it wasn’t a surprise when a fan summed it up perfectly: “We’ve gotta win it for John.” With the Chiefs on the brink of a historic 3-peat, as 2-time defending champs, fans can’t help but think how fitting it would be to do it for a legend like Amos. Many users also reflected on his standout TV and film roles.

One fan quipped, “Don’t forget his greatest role, Beast Master! RIP,” a nod to his portrayal of Seth in that 80s classic. His iconic line: “Sir, all pilgrims share a deep love of life; especially their own!” still resonates, showcasing his powerful delivery and presence on screen. Beyond acting, Amos inspired countless fans; his demise sparked countless tributes, with one commenter exclaiming, “OH NO! This is a sad week… RIP Mr. Amos.” Indeed, it’s a somber news for many. Football may have been his first love, but it was on screen where he truly made his mark.

As John Amos rides off into that eternal sunset, his legacy lives on in the hearts of those who cherished his contributions to both sports and entertainment. Rest in power, Mr. Amos.