Tag: Len Dawson

Hall of Fame quarterback, broadcasting icon Len Dawson dies at 87

Hall of Fame quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs great, and broadcasting legend Len Dawson has died at 87.

There is sadness through Kansas City Chiefs nation and the entire pro football world as Pro Football Hall of Fame Len Dawson has died at the age of 87.

Dawson’s family announced his death on Wednesday. He had entered hospice care on August 12.

The Dawson family issued this statement:

With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. Len was always grateful and many times overwhelmed by the countless bonds he made during his football and broadcast careers.

He loved Kansas City and no matter where his travels took him, he could not wait to return home.

Linda wants to acknowledge and thank the wonderful team of doctors, nurses and support staff at KU Med who showed tremendous amounts of love and compassion for Len.

From Chiefs CEO and President Clark Hunt:

My family and I are heartbroken. Len Dawson is synonymous with the Kansas City Chiefs. Len embraced and came to embody Kansas City and the people that call it home. You would be hard-pressed to find a player who had a bigger impact in shaping the organization as we know it today than Len Dawson did. I admired Len my entire life – first as a Hall of Fame player on the field, and later as he transitioned into a successful broadcasting career. Throughout his remarkable career, Len made it a priority to give back to the community that he loved. The franchise has lost a true legend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Linda and his family.

From Jim Porter, President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Len grew up only a few miles from where the Pro Football Hall of Fame later was built, and fans in the area have always taken a special pride in seeing one of the greats from this region enshrined in Canton. Fans connected with Len’s story of perseverance, appreciating how he gave the game one more try after five nondescript seasons when many others would have quit.

The American Football League, and Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram, gave Len a true opportunity, and he made the most of it, building the Chiefs into a Super Bowl contender, and eventually a world champion.

Our thoughts and prayers extend to his wife, Linda, and to all of Len’s family and friends in Kansas City and in Alliance, Ohio.

The flag at the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be flown at half-staff in his honor.

Dawson went on to a television career in Kansas City after his football career. With the Dallas Texans/Chiefs, he played 14 years. Dawson led the team to the first Super Bowl, a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

In Super Bowl IV, Dawson and Kansas City upset the Minnesota Vikings.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. His PFHOF bio can be read here.

After a series of health issues that included prostate cancer and quadruple heart bypass surgery, Dawson retired from broadcasting in 2017 following 33 years as the Chiefs’ radio color analyst.

Rest in peace to a Kansas City legend.

Chiefs Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson in hospice care

Prayers up for one of the greatest players in #Chiefs franchise history.

Some very sad news is being relayed throughout Chiefs Kingdom.

A Facebook post from former NFL Alumni Kansas City Chapter secretary Karen Conrad has made the rounds, stating that Kansas City Chiefs legendary QB Lenny “The Cool” Dawson has been moved into hospice care. Kansas City star sports Columnist Vahe Gregorian has since confirmed the news.

Dawson, 87, played for the Dallas Texans/Chiefs franchises from 1962 to 1975. A three-time AFL champion and six-time AFL all-star, Dawson was one of the league’s earliest superstars, earning numerous passing titles in the AFL. He led the Chiefs to two Super Bowls, including their first Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV, where he was named the MVP of the game.

In Dawson’s 14-year career with the franchise, he appeared in over 180 games with 157 regular season starts. In that span, Dawson recorded over 2,100 completed passes for 28,507 passing yards and 237 touchdowns. Dawson still holds career franchise records for most passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns and interceptions. He previously held the team’s single-season touchdown record, but Patrick Mahomes surpassed that record in 2018.

Dawson was named to the All-AFL Team in 1970. He was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1979. He was later enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. His No. 16 jersey is among the 11 jerseys retired by the team.

After his NFL playing career, Dawson spent 33 years as a commentator for the Chiefs Radio Network. In 2012, Dawson won the HOF’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his radio broadcasting work. He retired from radio broadcasting back in 2017.

“Next to my father, few people have had a more lasting impact on the Kansas City Chiefs than Len Dawson,” Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt said via press release when Dawson retired. “Over the course of his legendary career – first as a player and later as a broadcaster – Len has been a part of every major moment in franchise history.”

Forevermore Dawson will have a lasting impact on the franchise and its fans. He set the standard for quarterback play in Kansas City, but also was a pivotal figure for the franchise off the field, even in retirement.

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Legendary Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson in hospice care

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson is in hospice care

Concern around the football world with news Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, who led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV, is in hospice care.

Dawson, now 87, played 14 seasons for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs from 1962-75. He was 93-56-8 as a starter and threw for 28,507 yards with the franchise.

Dawson owned the Chiefs’ single-season passing touchdown record, which he set in 1964 with 30 touchdowns in only 14 games, a record that stood until 2018 when Patrick Mahomes broke it in 10 games. He still owns the Chiefs’ career passing yards, touchdowns, and wins.

Prior to his time with Dallas/KC, Dawson spent time in the NFL with the Steelers and Browns.

After retiring he had a long career on television in Kansas City.

Dawson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and in 2012 he won the Hall’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

 

 

Touchdown Wire says Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson is Chiefs’ G.O.A.T. on offense

Who is the greatest of all time on offense in Kansas City?

The folks over at Touchdown Wire recently revealed their choices for the greatest players of all time (G.O.A.T.) on the offensive side of the ball for each of the 32 NFL teams. Their choice for the Kansas City Chiefs might have some fans up in arms, given recent developments in the franchise. They chose quarterback Len Dawson, who led the Chiefs to Super Bowl I and helped them win Super Bowl IV.

Here is a look at what Touchdown Wire had to say about Dawson:
“With 28,507 passing yards, Dawson leads the Chiefs franchise. His 3,696 career pass attempts, 2,115 career completions, and 237 passing touchdowns are the most by a Chiefs QB. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. He also led the team to victory in Super Bowl IV.“
Obviously, there are a lot of people who feel strongly that Patrick Mahomes has already achieved G.O.A.T. status after the crazy start to his NFL career, leading the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years in just his second season as a starter. Dawson, who played 19 seasons in the league, has most of the career records on lockdown. Mahomes, however, has already smashed all of the single-season records in Kansas City that were once held by Dawson. In one of the NFL’s most high-volume passing offenses, Mahomes is tracking to beat Dawson’s career records sooner rather than later.
Maybe it’s just recency bias, but I feel like there’s definitely an argument for Mahomes being in the conversation over Dawson. Two years ago Dawson’s claim would have been undisputed. There really doesn’t seem to be any criteria for what makes a player a G.O.A.T., at least for the purposes of Touchdown Wire’s list. Some of those players listed are still active NFL players while others, like Dawson, are long-retired legends of the game.
What do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Is Dawson the undisputed G.O.A.T. on the offensive side of the ball in Kansas City? Is it too early to consider Mahomes in this conversation? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.
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The Chiefs are Super Bowl-bound for first time in 18,270 days

The Kansas City Chiefs are going back to the Super Bowl. They last played in the championship game on Jan. 11, 1970.

It has been a long time between Super Bowl drinks for the Kansas City Chiefs. They will be playing either the San Francisco 49ers or Green Bay Packers on Feb. 2, 2020, after downing the Tennessee Titans, 35-24, Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

How long, you ask? How about 18,270 days since Jan. 11, 1970, and  Super Bowl IV when the Chiefs became the second AFL team in a row to win the Super Bowl, following the New York Jets. It is 800 regular and post-season games for Kansas City since winning IV.

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The Minnesota Vikings and Chiefs met at Tulane Stadium that Sunday. Hank Stram coached KC to a 23-7 victory in New Orleans. The Chiefs came into the game as double-digit underdogs yet throttled the Vikings, who have yet to win a Super Bowl.

The MVP of the game was KC QB Len Dawson, who He completed 12-of-17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. The great Jan Stenerud kicked three field goals to give the Chiefs a 9-0 lead.

Viking quarterback Joe Kapp was 16-of-25 for 183 yards with two picks. John Henderson had seven catches for 111 yards in the losing cause.

Stram was mic’d up for the game and provided plenty of gems:

  • Len Dawson: “C’mon Lenny! Pump it in there, baby! Just keep matriculating the ball down the field, boys!”
  • Observing the confusion in the Vikings’ defense: “Kassulke (Viking SS Karl Kassulke) was running around there like it was a Chinese fire drill. They didn’t know where Mike (Garrett) was. Didn’t know where he was! They look like they’re flat as hell.”
  • Before the Chiefs’ first touchdown, he sent in the play “65 toss power trap.” When the Chiefs scored on the play, Stram laughed while yelling to his players on the bench, “Was it there, boys? Was that there, rats? Nice going, baby! Haaa-haaa-haaa-ha-ha-ha! Haaa! The mentor! 65 toss power trap! Yaaa-haaa-haaa-ha-ha! Yaaa-ha-ha! I tell ya that thing was there, yes sir boys! Haa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Wooo!!”
  • As the referees were spotting the ball before a measurement to determine if the Vikings got a first down, Stram yelled to the officials, “Make sure you mark it right! Oh, you lost your place! Measure it, take the chains out there! Oh, they didn’t make it! My God, they made that by an inch! He definitely gave them an extra foot. Bad! Very bad!”
  • Another time, the refs overruled what looked like a Minnesota fumble. Stram: “Mr. Official, let me ask you something. How can six of you miss a play like that? Huh? All six of you! When the ball jumped out of there as soon as we made contact?… No. What??”
  • After Frank Pitts gained on the reverse in the third quarter, when the chains were stretched and the Chiefs indeed had the first down, Stram was then heard saying to the refs, “Ya did good, you marked it good. You did a helluva job, nice going!”
  • On Otis Taylor’s touchdown reception that clinched the game, Stram is heard yelling and laughing.

The anthem was played by Doc Severinsen, of “Tonight Show” fame.

CBS had the TV rights to the game and it was called by Jack Buck and Pat Summerall. Buck’s son, Joe, will be on the call Feb. 2, with Troy Aikman when FOX broadcasts Super Bowl LIV from Miami.

To give you an idea of how long it has been, Patrick Mahomes Sr., father of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, was not born at the time the Chiefs beat the Vikings. The elder Mahomes, who went on to pitch in MLB, was born on Aug. 9, 1970.

Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft in 1970 saw the Pittsburgh Steelers choose Terry Bradshaw with the No. 1 overall pick. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA title, with Game 7 being the famed “Willis Reed” contest. The World Series was won by the Baltimore Orioles, who rebounded from being stunned by the New York Mets in ’69, to down the Cincinnati Reds in five games.

 Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Richard Nixon was the President of the United States. Jimi Hendrix died on Sept. 18 at the age of 27. Janis Joplin passed away on Oct. 4. Former heavyweight champ Sonny Liston died on Dec. 30.