Ho-ho-hometeam gifts: Your guide to KC’s best sports-inspired gifts (and how to get ’em before the holidays)
December 14, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
As a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, Donnell Jamison stood by the team during the grim years when the playoffs were just a prayer and Chiefs shirts weren’t necessarily a hot holiday item, he shared.
Donnell Jamison, Deep Rooted; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
“I’m a die-hard Chiefs fan,” continued Jamison, owner of Deep Rooted, a KC streetwear brand with a brick and mortar in the shopping center at Troost Avenue and Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. “I’ve been a Chiefs fan since the worst days like the Elvis Grbac and the Tyler Thigpen days.”
But times have changed. The Chiefs have an MVP-winning quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, just doinked their way to a ninth straight AFC West title, and are in the hunt for their third straight Super Bowl victory.
Now, locally-made Kansas City shirts fly off the shelves, especially during the holidays.
“We are winners now,” Jamison said. “Everybody keeps saying the refs are cheating for us, but I just think the football gods are most definitely shining upon us.”
“What better way to pay homage to the Chiefs than to do some Chiefs shirts?” he added.
Chiefs-inspired Big Head shirts from Deep Rooted at Deep Rooted’s store, 1112 E. 47th Terrace, KCMO; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Chiefs-inspired Big Head shirts from Deep Rooted at Deep Rooted’s store, 1112 E. 47th Terrace, KCMO; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
So in the holiday and playoff spirit, Deep Rooted recently released vintage style, acid washed, long sleeve t-shirts with the familiar (giant) faces of some of the Chiefs stars, including Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, Xavier Worthy, Chris Jones, and Rashee Rice. The shirts also feature the players nicknames, Kansas City on the sleeves, and the back of their heads on the back of the shirt. The shirts are $40 and can be found in the Deep Rooted store.
“They love them,” he noted of the reception of the shirts so far.
Jamison said he will likely add Isiah Pacheco, DeAndre Hopkins, and Steve Spagnuolo next.
“I love my town; I love my city; I love my team,” he explained. “That’s really the inspiration.”
Keep reading for more can’t miss gift options featuring Kansas City sports favorites and more — all of which can still be found on store shelves across the metro, even after online shopping delivery deadlines have passed.
Plus click here to check out some of the Chiefs-inspired makers and products that made the cut for Made in KC’s first-ever Made in KC Awards.
Chiefs-inspired Big Head shirts from Deep Rooted at Deep Rooted’s store, 1112 E. 47th Terrace, KCMO; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Deep Rooted Chiefs Fathead-inspired long sleeve shirts – $40
If these shirts don’t scream I’m a die-hard Chiefs fan, I don’t know what does.
Find at: Deep Rooted, 1112 E. 47th Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri
EB & Company earrings and headbands – $22/$28
Game Day or Red Friday at the office never looked so cute and classy than with these accessories.
Find at: EB & Company; Shop Local KC; and Made In KC, multiple locations
Headbands from EB & Co.; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
KC Football sweatshirt from Associated Humanity at Made in KC’s Country Club Plaza location; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Associated Humanity Chiefs sweatshirt – $65
This sweatshirt is perfect for the fan who studies the Xs and Os and knows that it doesn’t matter if the play is called Corn Dog or Tom and Jerry that it’s still going to result in a Chiefs touchdown.
Find at: Made In KC, Country Club Plaza, 306 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Missouri
Floral Babe.Co Chiefs-inspired earrings — $18
Light-weight, acrylic earrings from founder Mitzy Romero’s KC Collection add everyday flair to the forever fan.
Find at: FUERZA Retail Space at Chicano Center for the Arts, 2203 Lexington Ave. Kansas City, Missouri
Ampersand Design Studio key chain and Chiiiefs melamine platter – $18/$39
These are perfect for the fan who wants their house (and keys) to scream home of the Chiiiiefs. (Design comes on a variety of gift and apparel products.)
Find at: Ampersand, 211 E. Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri; Made In KC; and Shop Local KC, multiple locations
Chiefs-inspired wooden ornaments from SewKC at the brand’s East Crossroads showroom; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
SewKC colorblock sweatshirt and Christmas ornaments – $75/$10
This sweatshirt – available in Chiefs and Current colors – is perfect for the fashionable fan with a vintage vibe. And Magnomes, Kelfe, Coach Candy Wreath, and Holi-Tay belong on any Chiefs fan’s Christmas tree.
Find at: SewKC/Hi Tides Coffee, 519 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri
Colorblock sweatshirts from SewKC at the brand’s East Crossroads showroom; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Festive Absorb-lumen towels at Shop Local KC; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Absorb-lumen Work Harder and Bartender towels — $17-$20
Made from recycled plastic and sustainable materials, these towels soak up just about any mess — and they come with a mission-driven focus to make the world better. (Learn how here.)
Find at: Shop Local KC; and Made In KC, multiple locations
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Reconciliation Services hopes to heal trauma in the heart of stigmatized Troost corridor
Commanded by Scripture, David Altschul journeyed into parts unknown, said his successor, Father Justin Mathews. In the mid-1980s, a philanthropic pull tugged at the heart of Altschul — a white, insurance salesman from Johnson County — and eventually led him into the distressed, history-rich neighborhoods that lined Troost Avenue on the east side of…
Thelma’s Kitchen cooks up pay-what-you-can cafe concept to preserve community
Twenty people once filled the kitchen of Thelma Gardner’s apartment in search of their next meal. Their hunger for food fueled her hunger for humanity, recounted Father Justin Mathews as he sat sipping coffee in the newly opened Thelma’s Kitchen. The pay-what-you-can restaurant — located inside of the Reconciliation Services building at 3101 Troost Ave.…
Operation Breakthrough bridge over Troost symbolizes ‘real community’ at an intersection
With reflection in his voice, Alvin Brooks paused. “The city has to be a partner,” the Civil Rights activist and veteran Kansas City Police Commissioner said as he spoke of the redevelopment of Troost Avenue — the well known racial dividing line, that has long isolated the east side of the Kansas City metro from the…
Troostapalooza aims to shed the old skin of city’s racial dividing line, says Kemet Coleman
Troostapalooza will build community while constructively addressing the elephant in the room, said Kemet Coleman, organizer of the newly developed street festival. “We wanted to create a home away from home on Troost that is inclusive and sensitive to the historic and existing nuances,” he said. “Not the violent, divisive one that is portrayed by…