One of the most iconic players in Chiefs history passes away at 87
Legendary Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson passed away this week at the age of 87, according to a statement from his wife, Linda. "He loved Kansas City and no matter where his travels took him, he could not wait to return home," said Linda in the statement. Dawson, an Ohio native who played college football […]
Legendary Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson passed away this week at the age of 87, according to a statement from his wife, Linda.
"He loved Kansas City and no matter where his travels took him, he could not wait to return home," said Linda in the statement.
Dawson, an Ohio native who played college football at Purdue, started his NFL career in 1957 when he was selected with the No. 15 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent three seasons in Pittsburgh before getting traded to the Cleveland Browns.
After two seasons in Cleveland, Dawson was released. He signed with the Dallas Texans in 1962. A year later, the franchise became the Kansas City Chiefs. Dawson led the Chiefs to an appearance in Super Bowl I, in which Kansas City lost 35-10 to the Green Bay Packers.
Dawson famously got in a war of words with Packers head coach Vince Lombardi.
"I think the Kansas City team is a real tough football team, but it doesn't compare with the National Football League teams," Lombardi said at the time.
Dawson took issue with that.
"Ticked me off," he said, looking back. "Ticked all of us off, so we wanted another opportunity, and, fortunately, in Super Bowl 4 against the Minnesota Vikings," the team got it.
Dawson eventually led the Chiefs to a win against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV (he also earned Super Bowl MVP honors).
After a career that spanned nearly 20 years, Dawson retired in 1975 with a laundry list of accolades. Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
The former Chiefs quarterback worked in television after his NFL career ended, hosting Inside the NFL on HBO from 1977 to 2001. He also worked at KMBC in Kansas City as a sports broadcaster.
Featured image via Twitter.com
