As the Kansas City Chiefs step onto the Super Bowl LIX stage at Caesars Superdome, they’ll be chasing history in more ways than one. Sure, there’s the goal of cementing a dynasty, Patrick Mahomes gunning for his third ring, and Andy Reid aiming to outcoach his former team once again. But there’s something else—something subtle yet powerful—that could tilt fate in their favor.

They’ll be wearing white.

A jersey color might seem like a footnote in a game of this magnitude, but in the Super Bowl, white isn’t just fabric—it’s a lucky charm. History has a funny way of repeating itself, and the Chiefs are banking on it happening again.

Over the years, white jerseys have emerged as a symbol of success on the NFL’s grandest stage. Since the league started tracking such details, teams wearing white jerseys have amassed a staggering 37-22 record in the Super Bowl. This trend is no fluke. White symbolizes more than just cleanliness and simplicity; it has become an emblem of underdog victories, comeback stories, and unshakeable composure under pressure.

The Chiefs will don their white jerseys, leaving the Philadelphia Eagles to wear their home green. While a jersey color might seem trivial in the grand scheme of things in football, history suggests that the Chief’s wardrobe decision could be a game-changer.

If you believe in trends, you might already be putting money on Kansas City. Since the Super Bowl era began, teams wearing white jerseys have dominated, winning 37 of the 58 games played. That’s a 63.8% success rate—not exactly random. The trend has been even more pronounced in recent years, with 16 of the last 20 Super Bowl champions donning white on the big stage.

Why does white work? Some say it’s psychological—teams in darker jerseys appear more aggressive but tire faster under the stadium lights. Others call it pure coincidence. But whatever the reason, coaches and players have bought into it. Even Tom Brady, the ultimate big-game quarterback, preferred white jerseys in Super Bowls, winning six of his seven titles in the away uniform.

Andy Reid and the Chiefs had first dibs on jersey choice as the designated ‘away’ team. They could’ve stuck with their iconic red, but instead, they made a calculated decision—ride the wave of history and put Mahomes in the jersey that’s brought them the most success.

The Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, will be wearing their classic green home jerseys. And while it may not mean much on paper, it’s worth noting that in both of their previous Super Bowl appearances, they wore green. The result? One win (Super Bowl LII) and one loss (Super Bowl XV).

For Kansas City, the numbers don’t lie; their most recent victory in the Super Bowl came with Patrick Mahomes leading the team in white. Historically, via the KC Star, “dating to the 2000 season, the Gridiron Uniform Database shows the Chiefs have a 19-14 record when wearing white jerseys and pants in a game.”In addition to it, the report also states that “since 2020, the Chiefs have won five of six in all-white.” 

Mahomes: A star in white

For Patrick Mahomes, the white jersey holds a special kind of magic. In his two previous Super Bowl appearances, Mahomes wore red in the Chief’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but white during their triumph over the San Francisco 49ers. The latter game saw Mahomes orchestrate a dazzling comeback, earning him the Super Bowl MVP honors. Was this a coincidence? Perhaps. But for a quarterback whose career is defined by defying odds, the optics of white seem to align with his narrative of resilience and brilliance.

In postseason games where the Chiefs have worn white, Mahomes has been outstanding, throwing for 1,352 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions across five games. His completion percentage in these matchups hovers around an elite 68%, solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer under the brightest lights.

What’s more, Mahomes has never lost a playoff game in a white uniform, going a perfect 5-0. Whether it’s extending plays with his legs or delivering pinpoint throws, Mahomes appears to elevate his already historic level of play when draped in white—whether due to superstition or sheer greatness, the numbers don’t lie.

White jerseys alone won’t win the game. The Chiefs’ success depends on more than just wardrobe options. Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the rest of Kansas City’s dynamic team will need to deliver their proven bonafide quality against a tough Eagles team. But in a contest where preparation, execution, and even the smallest psychological edges matter, the Chiefs will have to remember to improvise, adapt, and overcome while donning their white jerseys, as the white jerseys feel like the perfect complement to their pursuit of greatness.

Come Super Bowl Sunday, all eyes will be on the field and the teams that fill it. But for those who appreciate the nuance of football’s history, they’ll hope that history repeats itself. The Chiefs’ white jerseys will be more than cloth and stitching. They’ll symbolize tradition, victory, and believing that the devil lies in the details.