After being placed in end-of-life care over a week ago, iconic Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson has died. He was 87 years old.
Dawson’s wife, Linda, released the following statement via KSHB-TV:
“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.”
The tale of one of the most impactful figures in the Chiefs’ storied history began with the then-Dallas Texans in July 1962. “Lenny the Cool” joined the team just a few weeks after being cut by the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and he would take the team all the way to the AFL championship, earning league Player of the Year honors.
After the franchise moved to Kansas City the following year and became the Chiefs, he guided them to two additional AFL championships and appearances in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV. He was named MVP of Super Bowl IV as the Chiefs overwhelmed the Vikings, 23-7.
Dawson’s 28,507 passing yards, 3,696 career pass attempts, 2,115 career completions and 237 passing touchdowns are the most in Chiefs franchise history. Dawson is one of only three quarterbacks in franchise history to achieve a perfect passer rating in a game.
Dawson was named to the All-AFL Team (1970), earned the NFL’s Man of the Year honors (1973), was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame (1979), and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1987). His No. 16 jersey is one of the 11 jerseys retired by the team.
Dawson played 13 years in Kansas City, but he’d stay long after his playing career ended, making the city his home. He enjoyed a long, successful media career after retiring as a player in May 1976, working for both the Chiefs Radio Network and KSHB-TV.
