Exploring the Legacy of Three-Peats in Sports: Can the Chiefs Make Super Bowl History?

Winning a Super Bowl isn’t easy. In fact, no NFL team has ever won three in a row. This challenge makes the quest for a three-peat in football a remarkable goal.

The Kansas City Chiefs are hot on the trail, having recently secured their second consecutive Super Bowl title. They achieved this with an exciting 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers. After the victory, Patrick Mahomes made a bold promise at the victory parade.

“We had to work hard last year, but I promise we’ll be at home next year going for that three-peat. Don’t forget it!” Mahomes declared. He believes they can make history as the first team to win three Super Bowls back-to-back.

With one win needed to reach the Super Bowl again, the Chiefs are close to making this dream a reality. Tight end Travis Kelce shared his thoughts after last year’s victory: “The goal has always been three. But we couldn’t get here without winning two first. We’re ready for the challenge ahead.”

Kansas City joins a small group of teams that have won consecutive Super Bowls. They are the ninth team to do so, following legends like the New England Patriots, who last achieved this in 2004.

The last time a team came close to a three-peat was the Dolphins, who won consecutive titles in 1972 and 1973 but didn’t win the next year. Other teams, like the Patriots and the Broncos, also fell short in their attempts to secure a three-peat.

Here’s a quick look at teams that have won back-to-back Super Bowls:

• Kansas City Chiefs, 2022 and 2023 (2024: TBD)
• New England Patriots, 2003 and 2004 (2005: Lost in divisional round)
• Denver Broncos, 1997 and 1998 (1999: Finished 6-10, missed playoffs)
• Dallas Cowboys, 1992 and 1993 (1994: Lost NFC Championship)
• San Francisco 49ers, 1988 and 1989 (1990: Lost NFC Championship)
• Pittsburgh Steelers, 1978 and 1979 (1980: Finished 9-7, missed playoffs)
• Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974 and 1975 (1976: Lost AFC Championship)
• Miami Dolphins, 1972 and 1973 (1974: Lost in divisional round)
• Green Bay Packers, 1966 and 1967 (1968: Finished 6-7-1, missed playoffs)

In the wider sports world, three-peats are rare. In fact, in the Super Bowl era, no NFL team has achieved this feat. The Packers did win three championships in the 1960s, but that was before the Super Bowl era.

Three-peats have seen more success in the NBA. For example, the Los Angeles Lakers achieved it from 2000 to 2002 with stars like Kobe Bryant. The Chicago Bulls had two separate three-peats in the 1990s, led by Michael Jordan. The Boston Celtics also had an impressive run from 1959 to 1966.

In baseball, the New York Yankees have three-peats to their name, with their most recent title streak from 1998 to 2000.

Here’s a rundown of three-peat champions in various leagues:

NFL

Green Bay Packers: 1929-1931, 1965-1967

NBA

Boston Celtics: 1959-1966

Chicago Bulls: 1991-1993, 1996-1998

Los Angeles Lakers: 1952-1954, 2000-2002

WNBA

Houston Comets: 1997-2000

MLB

New York Yankees: 1936-1939, 1949-1953, 1998-2000

Oakland Athletics: 1972-1974

NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs: 1947-1949, 1962-1964

Montreal Canadiens: 1956-1960, 1976-1979

New York Islanders: 1980-1983

Men’s college basketball

UCLA: 1967-1973

Women’s college basketball

Connecticut: 2002-2004, 2013-2016

Tennessee: 1996-1998

College football

Yale football: 1886-1888

Minnesota football: 1934-1936

As the next Super Bowl approaches, fans are excited to see if the Chiefs can accomplish what no team has done before. It’s a thrilling time for football lovers!