Do you have a favorite Len Dawson memory? Help us celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs icon
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The legacy of Len Dawson
Kansas City sports icon Len Dawson, who led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl triumph, has died at the age of 87.
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(Update to this story: Dawson has died at age 87, his family announced early Wednesday morning)
Hall of Famer and Kansas City legend Len Dawson, who was with the Chiefs for six decades as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and then as a broadcaster, recently entered hospice care at the age of 87.
The franchise leader in passing yards (28,507) and touchdowns (237), “Lenny The Cool” impacted Kansas Citians of all ages.
From the iconic photo of Dawson smoking a cigarette and drinking a Fresca during halftime of the first Super Bowl to countless calls in the booth, Dawson’s legacy is cemented.
Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett said he was “in awe” when he met Dawson for the first time in 1972.
The only other Chiefs quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP for the franchise, Patrick Mahomes, said that Dawson’s stamp on the Chiefs is undeniable and that without him, the Chiefs may not be in Kansas City.
One reader recalled a time Dawson’s wife, Jackie, bought him a steak before bringing him to football camp.
What’s your favorite memory of Len Dawson?
Did you meet him or cross paths? Did one of his shining Chiefs moments also mark an important moment in your own life? Was his broadcasting the backdrop of a time you’ll never forget?
The form soliciting memories has been closed after receiving more than 100 responses and publishing this follow-up piece. If you’d like to email a story to The Star, you still can at kcq@kcstar.com. But please keep in mind that while we have loved reading your memories, we are not planning on publishing any additional stories with the additional responses.
This story was originally published August 19, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
