Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

The best players drafted by the Chiefs who never played for the team

By Kelly Thompson

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 5: Runningback Gale Sayers #40, of the Chicago Bears, runs the ball as guard George Seals #67 sets up to block during a game on October 5, 1969 against the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 5: Runningback Gale Sayers #40, of the Chicago Bears, runs the ball as guard George Seals #67 sets up to block during a game on October 5, 1969 against the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Arrowhead Stadium during Kansas City Chiefs game . (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Arrowhead Stadium during Kansas City Chiefs game . (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) /

From the inception of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960 until the league’s merger with the National Football League (NFL) in 1966, the league held its’ own draft selection process separate from that of the more established, and older, NFL. This led to significant competition between the two leagues as most players were ultimately drafted by teams from both leagues, and the franchises then jockeyed for the players until ultimately, the player made a decision about where to play.

In the modern era, of course, this is fascinating to think about. Consider if the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Extreme Football League (XFL), and NFL held separate drafts, but the same players were eligible for each. Most, obviously, would choose to go to the NFL where they’d make more money, have a better chance at longevity perhaps, et cetera. Some, though, would spurn the NFL for better chances to start and be a star.

Thanks to separate leagues and separated drafts, the KC Chiefs have drafted multiple NFL Hall of Famers who never played for the team.

In the split draft era, the same thing occurred. The vast majority of players chose to play in the NFL. Still, some chose instead to sign with the AFL. Some star players who chose to sign with the AFL included: Lance Alworth, Jim Otto and Billy Cannon.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, some of those players who chose to sign with the team, instead of going to the NFL, included Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Buck Buchanan, who formed the heart and soul of the Chiefs defense for a decade and make up the core substance of the greatest Chiefs draft class of all time. For Buchanan, the choice was made easier by being the first overall pick in the AFL draft. But, for Bell, the decision was more surprising. Bell was a seventh-round pick for Kansas City but was a second-round pick in the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.

But Buchanan and Bell were exceptions, not the rule. The Chiefs drafted multiple players who never played for the team, and who went on to star in the NFL instead.

Who was the best of the Chiefs draft selections who spurned the team in favor of the NFL?

Home/Kansas City Chiefs History