Frank Pitts Jr., who came up big in Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV victory, has died
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- Frank Pitts Jr., former Chiefs receiver, died at 82; helped win Super Bowl IV.
- Drafted in 1965, became a starter in 1968 and made key playoff plays.
- Traded to Cleveland before 1971, finished ten-year career with Raiders; services Friday.
Former Chiefs wide receiver Frank Pitts Jr., who helped Kansas City to its Super Bowl IV victory over the Minnesota Vikings, died earlier this week. He was 82.
Pitts joined the Chiefs in 1965 as a fourth-round NFL Draft pick from Southern University and didn’t factor into the offense much until 1968, when he started 10 games for the injured Otis Taylor. Pitts then remained a starter over his final two seasons with the Chiefs.
In 1969, the speedy Pitts was second among Kansas City’s wide receivers with 31 receptions. He had a 41-yard reception against the Oakland Raiders in the Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game victory. He went on to haul in three catches and three end-around carries in the Super Bowl.
His 20-yard reception set up Jan Stenerud’s first field goal and his 19-yard rush set up Stenerud’s third as the Chiefs went on to a 23-7 victory. Pitts finished with 70 total yards in that game.
Pitts was traded to the Cleveland Browns before the start of the 1971 season and finished his 10-year NFL career with the Oakland Raiders.
Services are being held Friday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.