By Matt McMullen – Chiefs.com Reporter
Few individuals have ever embodied the spirit and passion for their profession that Kansas City Chiefs’ play-by-play broadcaster Mitch Holthus exemplifies on a daily basis.
The “Voice of the Chiefs” since 1994, Holthus is synonymous with Kansas City football, from his numerous iconic calls to his familiar presence on radio, television and digital programs throughout the Chiefs Kingdom.
Holthus has represented the Chiefs through thick and thin with pride for more than three decades, and it’s for those reasons that he was named the 2024 “Kansan of the Year” by the Kansas Society of Washington, D.C. on Monday.
Here’s what the Kansas Society wrote about Holthus in its press release announcing the honor:
The Kansas Society of Washington, D.C. announced Mitch Holthus as the 2024 Kansan of the Year.
Holthus, the Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, is the longest tenured and most decorated play-by-play “Voice” in franchise history, on the call for Chiefs victories in Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII. Holthus is a member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Kansas State University Athletics Hall of Fame, and is a five-time Emmy award winner.
A native of Smith Center, Kansas, and graduate of Kansas State University, Holthus was selected by the Kansas Society of Washington, D.C. board for being an exemplary ambassador for the state. Holthus began his legendary broadcasting career calling games for the Pratt High (Kan.) Greenbacks, before serving as Kansas State’s “Voice of the Wildcats” for 13 years and earning six-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year honors. In 1994, Holthus made his debut in the Kansas City Chiefs broadcast booth where he has exemplified the spirit of Chiefs Kingdom ever since.
Holthus and his wife Tami, who is originally from McPherson, Kansas, have a son and daughter and two granddaughters.
“Mitch is a tremendous ambassador for Kansas and one of the best sports broadcasters the industry has ever seen,” the Kansas Society board said. “Throughout his career, Mitch has embodied Kansas values and enriched each fanbase and community in which he has served. As the voice of the Chiefs, Mitch has become synonymous with the passion and success of Chiefs football, and we are thrilled to honor his illustrious career by naming him Kansan of the Year.”
Holthus will be honored at the Kansas Society of Washington, D.C.’s annual banquet on July 9th.
