Hall of Fame Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson dies at 87

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By DAVE SKRETTA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, whose unmistakable swagger in helping the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title earned him the nickname “Lenny the Cool,” died Wednesday. He was 87.

Dawson’s family announced his death in a statement through KMBC, the Kansas City-based television station where he starred in his second career as a broadcaster. No cause was given, though Dawson had been in declining health for years.

“With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson,” the family’s statement read. “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.”

The MVP of the Chiefs’ victory over the Vikings in January 1970, Dawson had entered hospice care on Aug. 12.



FILE - Len Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs running through passing drills with receivers in New Orleans to prepare for the Super Bowl, in January 1970. Dawson, the 87-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title, has entered hospice care in Kansas City, Mo. KMBC-TV, the Kansas City station where Dawson began his broadcasting career in 1966, confirmed Dawson is in hospice care through his wife, Linda. (AP Photo, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/nfl-super-bowl-sports-television-obituaries-ff3c45ca854d0a017c8d7d65cb2bb3c7

[cloudbase]

1. I always thought this photo was interesting:

[underpants]

2. What an interesting photo

Thanks.

RIP Lenny

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Apparently more pro athletes smoke than is generally known.

Apparently John Elway smokes like a chimney.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. Ewwwwww!

Fresca?

That stuff is disgusting

[Scottie Mom]

4. I'm originally from the Akron-Canton area of Ohio (where the FB Hall of fame is).

Lenny Dawson played for the Alliance Aviators when he was in High School (Alliance, OH, is in the Akron-Canton area.) When he was a small child, my mother babysat him. Lenny was really full of himself in HS. Would light up a cigarette in the hallway of the HS and no one did anything about it. HS football was and still is a mega big deal in this area. There is, or was, a restaurant in Canton, Dawson's. I believe he and his family owned and ran it after he retired from FB. I don't think it is there anymore.

[BeyondGeography]

7. Your anecdote and post no. 1 are a perfect fit

My strictly fan-based memories have him calmly at the center of those old AFL storms between the Chiefs and the Raiders. Dawson was certainly a cool customer out there.

[Scottie Mom]

8. Funny thing, almost all locals called him Lenny.

Odd to me to see LEN Dawson.

[Rebl2]

9. He worked as

a sportscaster at KMBC 9 news for many, many years here in Kansas City. I may be wrong, but thought he worked Monday night football for ABC for a few years. As far as being full of himself in HS, he never came across that way when he was older. Back in those days when he played HS football I imagine that was true for most kids that played FB. It was that way when I was in HS in the 70’s. Never really watched much FB until the last few years since Mahomes came along.

[Scottie Mom]

10. Things never seem to change

Many star athletes get away with a lot in HS — then they buckle down and prove their abilities. Not all do, but Lenny worked hard as a pro and the HS arrogance was gone. My mother always commented on how he had matured.

[Botany]

6. Forever Young

[chowder66]

11. RIP. I'm not a sports person but I remember seeing and hearing him on TV and radio

growing up in KCMO. It's sad when looming figures from your youth pass on.

[zipplewrath]

12. One of three

He's one of the three Purdue quarterbacks to go on and win a Super Bowl in their pro careers. I think that's the only college program that can claim that.

[rsdsharp]

13. In the 1950s and 60s the Steelers were pretty much the bottom of the barrel in the NFL.

They cut Johnny Unitas, and traded Len Dawson — both Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Which is why they were pretty much bottom of the barrel.

[Ishoutandscream2]

14. It started all in Dallas, Texas

1962 AFL Champion Dallas Texans, quarterbacked by Len Dawson. The Dallas-hating media won't mention that much, if at all.

[twodogsbarking]

15. The AFL was exciting. Credit is due to Len Dawson and others.