The 2023 Super Bowl is days away, and as the Kansas City Chiefs get ready to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the Chief’s fifth appearance at the most watched sporting event in the United States, people across the country will be cheering on the Chiefs – including former Chief, and local resident, Keith Cash who is now vice-president and financial advisor for Central Investment Advisors at Central Bank.
Keith Cash
Football was a passion for him early on and he started playing organized football when he was in first grade. His dad played football when he was growing up and also on one of the military bases where he was stationed.
Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Keith played football, basketball and ran track in high school, achieving All-State in football and track. From 1987 to 1990, he played wide receiver for the University of Texas. In college he started to think seriously about playing in the NFL.
“My goal in high school was to get a scholarship,” Keith said. “My goal in college was to get a degree. When I started to excel in college, I set making it to the NFL as my goal.”
His dream soon came true. He made it in the 7th round of the 1991 draft for the Washington Redskins. “I was excited because I had family in the Washington D.C. Area,” Keith said. “It was a dream come true.”
He was released before the start of the season and signed on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a season with the Steelers he was very happy when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992. He spent the rest of his football career with them. “It was very exciting to join the Chiefs,” Keith said. “It was a franchise on the rise, and it was closer to my family in Texas. Once I got to Kansas City and saw how passionate the fans were, I wanted to play the rest of my career here.”
His memorable moments during his time with the Chiefs were many, but the playoff run in 1994 when the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers was one of his favorites. “I blocked a punt that game that lead to the game-tying touchdown,” Keith said. “In the same playoffs, I caught a touchdown against the Houston Oilers that changed the game.”
His teammate, Joe Montana was a player whose game Keith admired from afar. “It was exciting to play with him at the time,” Keith said. “He was arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game.”
In 1994, when the Chiefs were playing against the Oilers at the Astrodome, after catching a touchdown pass from Montana, and scoring the Chief’s first touchdown in the game, Keith fired the ball at the banner of Buddy Ryan, who was the defensive coordinator for the Oilers.
A few weeks earlier, Ryan had been involved in an altercation with offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride of the New York Jets. Ryan had attempted to punch Gilbride in the jaw before several players separated them. “He (Ryan) had said some pretty nasty things about Joe (Montana) and we took it personal,” Keith said. “I definitely played angry that game.” The Chiefs went on to win the game 28-20.
Keith’s brother, Kerry, who also played tight end at the University of Texas went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and the Oakland Raiders. Kerry is now a sales manager for a company in Austin, Texas.
The brothers had also excelled at track and field at Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in San Antonio and during their college years. Keith was an All American High Jumper in high school and his personal best was 6 feet, 11.5 inches.
Keith’s proudest moments were the lifelong friends he made while he was playing for the Chiefs and also the 1994 playoff run. With his season tickets, he is now a happy and proud spectator when his former team plays at Arrowhead Stadium. He said that over the last five years the Chiefs have the best record in football. “To host five consecutive AFC championship games over that time speaks to how dominant this team is,” Keith said.
“Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the game today, with the most unique skill set ever seen at the quarterback position. If he stays healthy and they win a couple of more championships he could end up as the best quarterback ever.”
After studying Business Management and Sport Management in college, Keith became interested in being a financial advisor when he got into the NFL. “I had an interest in knowing what my advisers were doing with the money that they were managing for me,” Keith said. “I didn’t know that it would be my career when I got a real job.”
Working as a financial advisor allows Keith to find an important and meaningful way to help people with secure economic decisions. “I get to work with individuals in different levels of financial security and insecurity,” Keith said. “Oftentimes, individuals know what to do, they just need someone to talk their finances over with. I get joy out of watching my clients reach their goals and thrive in retirement.”
His favorite part of his football career are the relationships he has built. “The impact of a kind word from someone that looked up to you is powerful,” Keith said. He also appreciated the loyal and enthusiastic fans in Kansas City. “Kansas City was the loudest stadium by far,” Keith said.
Keith and his wife and kids will be celebrating in their home as they watch the Chiefs take on the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12.
It gives Keith great joy to think back about the incredible excitement he experienced while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. “I get goose bumps to this day when I walk into that stadium,” Keith said.