Q&A With Tim Grunhard

Book Signing with Author Tim Grunhard

“View From the Center: My Football Life and the Rebirth of Chiefs Kingdom”

Sunday, October 23, 3 p.m. 

Walt’s Bar & Grill

7732 E. Central

Q. What inspired you to write your new book, “View From the Center: My Football Life and the Rebirth of Chiefs Kingdom”?

A. Doing radio shows in KC for 20-plus years now, there’s just a lot of fun, untold stories and anecdotes about the Chiefs Kingdom. When Covid slowed life down, I thought, “I’m going to try to put these stories to paper.”

The Chiefs Kingdom is obviously a thriving organization today, but many have felt that the foundation for that kingdom was built in the 1990s under coach Marty Schottenheimer and former president and general manager Carl Peterson. Basically, I wanted to write a book about the guys on Arrowhead’s sideline at the time who helped build a foundation that helped players, such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, lift up the Super Bowl Lombardi trophy. 

Q. What is the book’s focus?

A. Working with author David Smale, we developed an outline and I contributed stories about the organization and my experiences as a player. Writing this book was a great experience, and reminded me of situations that helped me become the person that I am. My current speaking tour is about centering your life, which is a play on words because my position was an offensive center and the book is titled “View From the Center.”

Q. What parts of the book did you find hardest and easiest to write?

A. The hardest part was talking about myself personally, and how I became the person I am. I grew up with a strict father, a Chicago police officer, who held my brother and I to a different, unconventional standard. The hard times I experienced growing up were a bit more difficult to share. 

I enjoyed writing about how Marty and Carl built the Chiefs foundation, and particularly how they navigated the NFL draft to find the right players. And I loved talking about my teammates: Joe Montana, Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Rich Gannon, Dan Saleaumua, John Howe and Marcus Allen. Talking about those guys and how they influenced me, and how we came together in different situations and at different times, was the best part of this experience. Memories about the brotherhood and bonds we built at Arrowhead Stadium and in that locker room was also a favorite part. There are untold moments with players like Christian Okoye, Will Shields, and others who were integral in my development as a player and as a person that I wish could have been included in the book.

Q. Any plans for a second book?

A. Based on my own coaching experiences, I am considering writing a book about coaching young men — not only on the field, but off the field. I would like to write about how to raise, teach and cultivate young men to become great men. Not everyone is going to have the chance to run onto the field at Arrowhead, but within each community, we need to raise responsible young men — responsible for their actions, families and communities. Someday too, I’d like to possibly write technical books about the game of football, particularly about pass protection.

Mark your calendars to join Tim at his upcoming book signing on Sunday, October 23, at Walt’s Bar and Grill. This memoir is a must-have for anyone who loves football, and especially for every Chiefs fan. The book will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Books are also available on Amazon.com and at timgrunhard.com.