In this special offseason series, we analyze the best players in Kansas City Chiefs history to wear every single uniform number. Here’s No. 16.
Some stories contain zero drama.
It’s the guy and girl who marry their high school sweetheart. Their parents knew each other before they were even born. Maybe they grew up in church together or went to the same elementary, middle and high school. No one went off to college or joined the armed forces. No one needed to explore or experiment.
Just like that, the planets had aligned to save them any real relational worries, as if love’s red carpet was rolled out for them from the beginning.
They don’t make movies about this premise because the whole movie would be 15 minutes long. But that doesn’t mean those stories don’t exist, or even that they aren’t wonderful stories.
When it comes to players who wear No. 16, the Kansas City Chiefs have one of those stories. One player wore it and that was enough. Literally enough. And it will never happen again. Ever.
The Others
None. Literally none.
The Runner-up: No one
No, wait, didn’t you hear me? There’s not even enough for a No. 2. There’s literally no one else. There’s only:
The Winner: Len Dawson
Len Dawson is the Chiefs’ high school sweetheart, at least at No. 16. He put on the uniform and never gave it back. In fact, the Chiefs still sleep with his sweater to remember him at night.
The record books all belong to Len Dawson. From 1962 to 1975, it was Dawson under center (with some others getting starts toward the end there) throwing for 28,507 yards (7,000ish better than second place), 237 touchdowns (more than double second place even though he played before the NFL got so pass happy), and 93 wins (43 better than second place).
He’s an NFL Hall of Famer as of 1987. He’s a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame. He has a Super Bowl ring, and he even won MVP of the game that counts the most. He remains a local icon to this day.
This story is short, to be sure, but it’s also sweet. And K.C. wouldn’t want it any other way.
Next: The Best to Wear It: No. 15
Congratulations to Len Dawson for being the greatest Chiefs player to ever wear the No. 16 on his uniform!