Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson and the Chiefs in a game during the late 1960s.
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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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People in Kansas City love their sports teams. With that comes sports legends.
It takes a lot to be a sports legend here. There are many athletes who stand tall in their accomplishments but the qualifications between outstanding and legend can be substantial. The legends of Kansas City sports are special in ways that put them miles above some of the very best who have played here.
Len Dawson was one of those legends.
Here are 20 photos that capture a piece of what it looks like to be a legend.
The Dallas Texans celebrated after they won the AFL title in 1962, and Kansas City celebrated after Lamar Hunt (right) moved the franchise here. Front, left to right: Marvin Terrell, Tommy Brooker, Hank Stram, Len Dawson and Lamar Hunt. Back, left to right: Jim Tyrer, Abner Haynes, before they became the Kansas City Chiefs. File
Chosen offensive players of the week, Otis Taylor, left, and quarterback Len Dawson, right, of the Kansan City Chiefs, watch game films shown by head coach Hank Stram. Taylor and Dawson were cited for their play in a 1971game with the Washington Redskins. Taylor made a one handed catch of Dawson’s pass in the closing minutes of the game to break a 20-20 tie. The Chiefs won the game, 27-20. William P. Straeter AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson gets pass protection before throwing the final touchdown pass ofthe game to wide receiver Otis Taylor as the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings to win Super Bowl IV in 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Roy Inman The Kansas City Star
Len Dawson (left) and Fred Arbanas board the plane that took the Kansas City Chiefs, AFL Western division champs, to Buffalo, N.Y. where they played the Eastern champs in the New Year’s Day title game. In background, part of the send-off crowd is shown in Kansas City, Dec. 31, 1966. William Straeter AP
With defensive tackle Carleton Oats (85) bearing down on him, quarterback Len Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs (16) lets go a pass in the second half of the AFL championship game in Oakland, Calif., Jan. 4, 1970. The Chiefs won the AFL title by downing the Raiders, 17-7. AP
Len Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through passing drills with receivers in New Orleans to prepare for the Super Bowl, in January 1970. File AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson watches the clock run out as the Chiefs’ defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7 to win Super Bowl IV in 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Roy Inman The Kansas City Star
After wining the Super Bowl in 1970 against the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson takes a phone call from President Richard Nixon. Kansas City Chiefs Archive
Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson and other members of the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs pose with the Super Bowl trophy in 1970. Kansas City Chiefs Archive
Quarterback Len Dawson, left, and coach Hank Stramm, center, listen as comedian Johnny Carson makes a point during taping of the NBC-TV “Tonight Show” on Jan. 13, 1970 in New York. The star quarterback and coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, victors in the 1970 Super Bowl game were guests of the show. Ron Frehm AP
New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, left, and Kansas City chiefs quarterback Len Dawson, right, talk during the Jan. 15, 1970, taping in New York of an American Broadcasting Company TV program reviewing Super Bowl IV. Dawson is seen admiring Namath’s jacket during taping session. AP AP
Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Len Dawson (16) flicks a short pass to running back Warren McVea (6) in the third quarter of the College All-Star Game at Soldier Field, Friday, July 31, 1970 Chicago, Ill. The College All-Star Game was a NFL preseason game that pitted the current champion against a team of college players who were seniors the previous year. James Palmer AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson on the sidelines in 1975, the final year he played before he retired. File Kansas City Star
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson enjoyed a long career in broadcasting after retiring from playing football. He was the host of Inside the NFL on HBO, lent his voice as a color analyst on television and radio and worked as an anchor on local TV station KMBC. HBO
Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Hank Stram, left, and his presenter, Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, have their photos taken with Stram’s bust after the 2003 induction ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Len Dawson at his home in 2007. Jim Barcus The Kansas City Star
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson was part of the most famous play in Chiefs history, “65 toss power trap,” a five-yard running play from Dawson to running back Mike Garrett in Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings. A diagram of the play is part of the concourse outside Arrowhead Stadium. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Former Jackson County Legislator and former Chiefs tight end Fred Arbanas (center) spoke with former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson during a 2014 party in Arbanas’ honor. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson beats the drum before the start of the Chiefs game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 14, 2017 at Arrowhead Stadium. John Sleezer The Kansas City Star
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 6:46 AM.
Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He’s had his hand in directing visuals coverage since 2002. Ochsner led the visuals team in its coverage of four Super Bowls and two World Series.
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