Len Dawson is launched earlier than the inaugural Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame Fan Fest on Friday, Might 2, 2014, on the Worldwide Exposition Middle in Cleveland. Dawson, who helped the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to a Tremendous Bowl title, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. He was 87. Mark Duncan, Related Press
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) turns round handy the ball off to operating again Mike Garrett (21) in the course of the Tremendous Bowl IV soccer sport in New Orleans., Jan. 11, 1970. Corridor of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, who helped the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to a Tremendous Bowl title, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. He was 87. Related Press
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs legend Len Dawson died Wednesday at age 87. A Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame quarterback and TV and radio broadcaster, Dawson leaves behind his spouse, Linda, his two youngsters and hundreds of thousands of followers.
“With spouse Linda at his aspect, it's with a lot disappointment that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson. He was an exquisite husband, father, brother and good friend,” his son, Len Dawson Jr., informed FOX4. “Len was all the time grateful and plenty of occasions overwhelmed by the numerous bonds he made throughout his soccer and broadcast careers.”
Dawson spent the primary 5 years as a backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns in what was then generally known as the American Soccer League. He lastly signed on as a quarterback with the Dallas Texans in 1962, alongside Hank Stram, who was assistant coach throughout Dawson’s time at Purdue College. Dawson would lead the Texans to the league title as their No. 1 quarterback and MVP that yr earlier than shifting to Kansas Metropolis.
Dawson, who can be a seven-time All-Star/Professional Bowler and a first-team All-Professional twice, led the Chiefs to the league’s first Tremendous Bowl. Although the workforce would fall to the Inexperienced Bay Packers that yr, Dawson and the Chiefs would come again three years later to take the 1970 Tremendous Bowl from the Minnesota Vikings in a historic sport. The Chiefs received 23-7, after Dawson made a 46-yard landing move to Otis Taylor within the third quarter to solidify the victory for Kansas Metropolis.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) turns round handy the ball off to operating again Mike Garrett (21) in the course of the Tremendous Bowl IV soccer sport in New Orleans., Jan. 11, 1970. Corridor of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, who helped the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to a Tremendous Bowl title, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. He was 87.
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“We had been the underdog in that sport,” Dawson stated, in keeping with NPR. “We had been speculated to get beat by a few touchdowns. Fortunately, we didn’t consider that.”
Dawson retired after 19 seasons, ending with 239 touchdowns and 28,711 yards on document within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. His time taking part in for the Chiefs would earn him his place within the Corridor of Fame in 1987. However he would find yourself turning into considered one of solely three members of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame elected for time as each a participant and a broadcaster.
Earlier than absolutely retiring, Dawson labored with KMBC as a sports activities broadcaster on radio, community and cable tv. He was a sports activities anchor on HBO’s “Contained in the NFL” and have become an iconic determine each for Kansas Metropolis and the NFL for his work as a participant and an anchor earlier than retiring in 2017. KMBC wrote that Dawson remained a member of the station household up till his dying.
Dawson labored for the Chiefs for 14 years as a quarterback and 33 because the Chiefs’ radio colour analyst, leaving a long-lasting impression on the workforce each on and off the sphere. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt talked about Dawson’s legacy: “Len Dawson is synonymous with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Len embraced and got here to embody Kansas Metropolis and the individuals that decision it house,” Hunt stated. “You'll be hard-pressed to discover a participant who had a much bigger impression in shaping the group as we all know it immediately than Len Dawson did.
He had a historical past of well being points that included prostate most cancers and a quadruple coronary heart bypass surgical procedure earlier than he entered hospice care earlier this month due to quickly declining well being.