Sunflower’s Road Show with Holthus, Shields, McGraw
Mitch Holthus, Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network, dropped by three Sunflower Bank locations this fall during the bank’s annual “Road Show with Mitch,” a chance for the announcer and a guest player to meet, greet, and bond with Sunflower Bank customers and employees over conversation, meals, and refreshments. Holthus and former Chiefs all-Pro tackle Will Shields visited Wichitans on Oct. 9 and Holthus and Chiefs special teams standout Jon McGraw swept through Great Bend and Hays on Oct. 16 – with a special stop at a Hays area high school.
Hays – Mitch & McGraw meet TMP
Before Holthus and McGraw talked with Sunflower Bank customers, families, and employees at Fox Pavilion on Oct. 16, the pair visited the TMP – Marian football team before the squad’s practice.
The player and the announcer delivered a quick, inspirational talk – a moment the seniors on down will never forget. McGraw detailed his rise to the NFL from small-town Riley, Kan. and his college career as a standout K-State safety.
Now special teams captain for the Kansas City Chiefs, McGraw discussed the three pillars of life – physical, spiritual and academic. Along with Holthus, he urged players to make the most of their high school football careers, enjoying the camaraderie and the experience on the field.
“He mentioned just to have fun while you’re playing,” said senior Travis Budke. “High school could be the last time you play football.”
“It was really cool,” said TMP senior Kelton Stecklein, “as big in football as they are, to come talk to us meant a lot.”
Future Hall of Famer Shields visits Kansas Sports Hall of Fame
Holthus and Will Shields stopped by the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame on October 9 to discuss all things Chiefs, Will, and Kansas sports. Shields, a future NFL Hall of Famer, answered questions and met Sunflower Bank customers and employees.
Shields discussed life after football and his retirement after 14 seasons on the gridiron and 12 Pro Bowl selections, also highlighting his charity work after football. He reflected on his successful career and memorable teams, in particular the undefeated start to 2003 and his beginnings in the NFL, subbed in for the first play, which turned into a consecutive-game streak of more than 200 starts.
Great Bend – Lunch with Mitch & McGraw
On October 16, fresh off a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Holthus and McGraw flew into Great Bend for lunch with 160 devoted Chiefs fans, Barton County students, and Sunflower customers.
McGraw discussed his background at K-State and his road from Riley High School to the NFL, taking questions from eager Wildcat fans and Chiefs diehards.
Caption: McGraw talks with TMP players.