Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have achieved a remarkable milestone by returning to the NFL championship game after securing consecutive Super Bowl victories.
Now, they are setting their sights on a rare three-peat championship, a feat that has not been attained in the NFL, NBA, NHL, or Major League Baseball in over two decades.
The last team to accomplish three straight championships across these leagues was the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring stars Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, who triumphed in the NBA Finals from 2000 to 2002.
In the history of the NFL, only two teams have managed this three-peat. The Green Bay Packers achieved it in the early days, from 1929 to 1931 when the title was decided by regular-season records, and again from 1965 to 1967, winning the last NFL championship before the Super Bowl era began in 1966.
Since the Packers’ historic run, a total of seven teams in the four major North American professional sports leagues have completed three-peat championships. Let’s explore these legendary teams:
**Oakland Athletics (1972-74)**
In the early 1970s, the Oakland Athletics, managed by Charlie Finley, showcased a star-studded roster that made them a force in baseball.
Led by heavy-hitter Reggie Jackson and dominant pitchers Catfish Hunter and Vida Blue, the A’s secured victories over the Reds, Mets, and Dodgers, thus joining the Yankees as the only teams in baseball history to clinch three titles consecutively.
**Montreal Canadiens (1976-79)**
Dominating the NHL scene for decades, the Montreal Canadiens boast 23 Stanley Cup victories, with many of these coming in the pre-expansion Original Six era.
Under the guidance of coach Scotty Bowman, the Canadiens had an impressive streak in the late 1970s, claiming four consecutive championships. The team featured notable players like Guy LaFleur and Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson, achieving remarkable postseason success with a 48-10 record over four playoff runs.
**New York Islanders (1980-83)**
Following the end of the Canadiens’ reign, the New York Islanders embarked on their own streak, becoming the last hockey franchise to win three consecutive titles.
Coached by Al Arbour, the Islanders had formidable players like Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin. Their journey began with a thrilling overtime victory in the 1980 Stanley Cup Final against Philadelphia, followed by a series of successes that saw them lose just once over three more Finals appearances.
**Chicago Bulls (1991-93, 1996-98)**
In the NBA, after falling short against the Detroit Pistons for two consecutive years, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls finally triumphed in the 1991 Finals against the Lakers.
The Bulls went on to secure back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993, reinstating their dominance in the league. After a brief hiatus when Jordan played baseball, they returned to glory, setting a record with 72 regular-season wins in 1996, followed by two more championships before Jordan’s temporary retirement led to a team breakdown.
**New York Yankees (1998-2000)**
The Yankees are renowned for their historic franchises, having won multiple World Series titles throughout their existence.
They stand out as the sole team to achieve three consecutive championships during the free agency era. Spearheaded by legends such as Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees reclaimed their glory in 1996 and followed up with three straight titles starting in 1998, dominating the postseason with an impressive 33-8 record.
**Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02)**
Phil Jackson, who helped spearhead the Bulls’ previous three-peats, turned things around for the Lakers, who possessed immense talent but had previously underperformed.
Their journey began with a dramatic Game 7 comeback against Portland in the 2000 Western Conference Finals. The Lakers achieved a stellar 15-1 postseason record in 2001 and pulled off yet another Game 7 victory against Sacramento in 2002, cementing their place in the three-peat history.
As the Chiefs embark on their quest for a historic third championship in a row, they aim to join this elite group of dynasties that have left their mark in professional sports history.
