Nobody prepares for a broadcast more diligently than Mitch Holthus. For 25 years as the Chiefs’ play-by-play man, Holthus has spent countless hours watching tape, taking notes and developing themes for each game.
But he was caught off-guard Monday night in Denver, and not just when Patrick Mahomes ad-libbed a left-handed pass for a first down on the Chiefs’ game-winning drive.
The game was Holthus’ 400th in the regular season over 25 seasons for the Chiefs, and Dan Israel, executive producer of the Chiefs Radio Network, had lined up guests to congratulate Holthus and put together tributes that were dropped in throughout the broadcast.