The club’s special teams got a boost with the addition of kicker Jan Stenerud from Montana State, kick returnerNoland “Super Gnat” Smith from Tennessee State. Interest in the team skyrocketed, forcing an increase in seating capacity at Municipal Stadium from 40,000 to 47,000. In June, Jackson County voters approved a $43 million bond issue for construction of a sports complex[1] to be completed by 1972.
The Chiefs' first non-playoff game against an NFL team resulted in a commanding 66–24 Chiefs preseason victory against the Chicago Bears at Municipal Stadium on August 23. Injuries again hit the club hard during the regular season as the Chiefs clawed their way to a 9–5 record.[1]