(Kansas City) Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, whose unmistakable assertiveness helped the Kansas City Chiefs win their first Super Bowl title, earning him the nickname “Lenny the Cool.” , died Wednesday at the age of 87.
Posted at 9:22
Dawson’s family confirmed his death in a statement to KMBC, the Kansas City station where he enjoyed a successful second career as an analyst.
The cause of death was not disclosed, but Dawson had been struggling with health issues for several years.
MVP of the Chiefs’ victory against the Minnesota Vikings in January 1970, Dawson had been in palliative care since August 12.
Dawson was first inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1987, before being inducted as a commentator in 2012.
He had two children from his first marriage to his wife Jackie, who died in 1978. His second wife, Linda, remained at his bedside until his death.
Dawson has been the face of the Chiefs almost since his arrival at the club, after the suave star player at Purdue was unable to get a starting job at Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He then found himself with the fledgling franchise, then located in Dallas. It was there that he reunited with Hank Stram, an assistant with the Boilermakers. Together, they transformed this franchise.
The coach and quarterback won the AFL Championship in 1962, their first season together, and became instant stars the following season when owner Lamar Hunt moved the club to Kansas City and renamed it.
They won two more AFL titles: in 1966, when they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl, and then in 1969, when Dawson returned from injury to help defeat the Vikings at Tulane Stadium. from New Orleans.
Dawson has always remained a popular character in Kansas City, even though he has greatly reduced his public appearances for several years due to his poor health. He always had time for the fans, however, whether it was for a photo or an autograph.
The ninth of 11 children, Dawson was born June 29, 1935, in Alliance, Ohio. A three-sport star at the local high school, where he set records in basketball and football, he headed to the latter when he received a scholarship from Purdue University.
He led the NCAA in passing completions in his second season, while also playing defense and kicking. By the end of his college career, Dawson had thrown for over 3,000 yards, despite playing in an era where the ground game was predominant.
Dawson was selected in the first round by the Steelers in 1957, but warmed up the bench in his first campaign, before being edged out by Bobby Layne in his second season. Traded to the Browns, he was unable to beat Milt Plum to become their No. 1 quarterback.
One of the biggest disappointments of his career turned out to be the best possible outcome for him.
Free to sign where he wanted, Dawson turned to the AFL and the Texans, attracted in large part by the possibility of playing under one of his former coaches at Purdue. The club quickly became one of the most prolific teams on the new circuit with him winning the first three league championships.
He ultimately spent 14 seasons with the Texans/Chiefs organization, setting several records that stood until Patrick Mahomes came along.
Once he retired at the end of the 1975 season, he turned to the press bridge, where he enjoyed a distinguished career spanning over 30 years.