Len Dawson, Chiefs legendary quarterback, dies at 87
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BVM) – Before there was Patrick Mahomes, perhaps the most beloved quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs faithful was Len Dawson. Dawson, who led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory, died Aug. 24 at the age of 87.
“With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson,” the Dawson family said in a statement to KMBC in Kansas City. “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 career…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.”
The Hall of Fame quarterback led the Chiefs for 14 of his 19 AFL-NFL seasons, helping the team to appearances in Super Bowls I and IV with Kansas City winning the latter. Even after his playing career, Dawson stayed close to his beloved Chiefs, working as the team’s color radio analyst until poor health forced his retirement in 2017 after 33 years in the booth.
“My family and I are heartbroken,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. “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.”
As a player, Len Dawson was a Super Bowl winner & Hall of Famer. For his work in TV, he received the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.
At his core, Dawson was the ninth of 11 children in a loving Ohio family, whose impact on the many lives he touched will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/ROLan8MUrD
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 24, 2022
Dawson’s journey began only a few miles away from where his Hall of Fame bust now sits. Born in Alliance, Ohio, the ninth of 11 children in his family, Dawson said he was “the seventh son of a seventh son,” and grew up understanding the importance of family and connections. After an excellent high school career, Dawson took his talents to Purdue University where he became one of the best players in program history.
In his first game with the Boilermakers, Dawson threw 185 yards on 11 completions with four touchdowns in a 31-0 shutout over Missouri on Sept. 25, 1954. The next week, Dawson led Purdue to an upset over No. 1-ranked Notre Dame on the road, throwing for 213 passing yards and four touchdowns on just 12 passes.
When his sophomore campaign ended, Dawson led the nation in passing efficiency with a 145.8 grade and touchdowns with 15. As a junior, Dawson threw for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns before finishing his senior season with 856 yards and seven more scores. When Dawson left the school, he was the career leader in both passing yards and passing touchdowns with 3,325 and 29 respectively.
The signal-caller was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, the first five years in the league didn’t go well for the first-rounder as he only passed for 204 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions in 28 games with the Steelers and later the Cleveland Browns.
Fortunately, Dawson landed on his feet in the AFL with the Dallas Texans. Throwing for 2,759 yards, 29 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over 14 games, Dawson led the Texans to their first AFL championship during his first season with the team in 1962. The next year, the Texans moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs and the rest is history.
During his career, Dawson led the AFL in passing four times, was named to six AFL All-Star games and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1972. He was also named the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1973.
The quarterback finished his career going 2,136-for-3,741 for 28,711 yards and 239 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,293 yards. He retired following the 1975 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. The flag at the Hall of Fame will be flown at half-mast in his honor according to the site.
“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,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in a statement. “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…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.”
Members of the NFL, players, reporters and coaches reacted to the passing of the Chiefs legend.
“RIP to the legend Len Dawson,” Mahomes tweeted. “The legacy and impact you made on Kansas City will live on forever. Prayers to his family.”
“My thoughts & prayers go out to the family & loved ones of legendary QB Len Dawson,” Former Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel said in a tweet. “Everyone that has ever been a part of @Chiefs Kingdom know his impact on the field & in the community. I’m thankful for the great memories I had with him during my time in KC. He’ll be missed.”
“Rest In Peace, Len Dawson. One of Kansas City’s greatest on the field, in broadcasting, and in our community,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted. “My thoughts are with his wife, Linda, his family, and the many friends he made over a tremendous lifetime.”
RIP to the legend Len Dawson. The legacy and impact you made on Kansas City will live on forever. Prayers to his family 🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/AKMhxoUFYH
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) August 24, 2022
Without Dawson, many of the NFL’s greatest moments may not have occurred. The history of the NFL cannot be written without the contributions of Dawson and he will be remembered long after his passing.
You can't tell the story of the NFL without Len Dawson.
Rest in peace to the Hall-of-Famer and Super Bowl IV MVP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/q0aKVZqJhG
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) August 24, 2022
