“With spouse Linda at his aspect, it’s with a lot unhappiness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson,” the Dawson household stated in an announcement to CNN affiliate KMBC. “He was an exquisite husband, father, brother and pal. Len was at all times grateful and lots of instances overwhelmed by the numerous bonds he made throughout his soccer and broadcast careers.

“He beloved Kansas Metropolis and irrespective of the place his travels took him, he couldn’t wait to return house. Linda needs to acknowledge and thank the great workforce of docs, nurses and assist workers at KU Med who confirmed super quantities of affection and compassion for Len.”

Dawson guided the Chiefs to a shock 23-7 win over the closely favored Minnesota Vikings in Tremendous Bowl IV in 1970. He was 12-17 for 142 yards within the sport and was named the Most Precious Participant.
Drafted within the first spherical by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957, the Alliance, Ohio native threw for 28,711 yards and 239 touchdowns throughout his 19-year profession with the Steelers, Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Texans who later grew to become the Chiefs. He was chosen to 6 AFL All-Star video games and one Professional Bowl. In 1962, he was named AFL Participant of the 12 months.

Dawson gained the AFL passing title 4 instances and nonetheless holds the franchise’s profession information for move makes an attempt (3,696), completions (2,115), passing yards (28,507) and touchdowns (237).

In 1987, Dawson was enshrined within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.

“Len Dawson is synonymous with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs,” Clark Hunt, Chiefs Chairman and CEO stated in an announcement. “Len embraced and got here to embody Kansas Metropolis and the folks that decision it house. You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a participant who had a much bigger influence in shaping the group as we all know it right now than Len Dawson did.

“I admired Len my complete life — first as a Corridor of Fame participant on the sector, and later as he transitioned right into a profitable broadcasting profession. All through his exceptional profession, Len made it a precedence to offer again to the neighborhood that he beloved. The franchise has misplaced a real legend. Our ideas and prayers exit to Linda and his household.”

In 1966, Dawson began his broadcasting profession whereas he was nonetheless taking part in quarterback for the Chiefs for an area Kansas Metropolis radio and tv station. After retiring in 1975, he grew to become an NBC colour analyst. Whereas working for the NBC community, Dawson additionally hosted HBO’s “Contained in the NFL,” the primary NFL-related present to air on cable, for twenty-four years.

For his “long-time distinctive contributions to radio and tv in skilled soccer,” Dawson was awarded the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Tv Award in 2012, changing into the third particular person in skilled soccer historical past to be inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame as a participant and a broadcaster, becoming a member of Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford.

In school, Dawson was a three-year starter for the Purdue Boilermakers the place he ended his profession as the college’s chief in passing yards and landing passes.

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