Ranking the KC Chiefs Pro Football Hall of Fame members

#5 – Len Dawson, Quarterback – Class of 1987

Len Dawson is perhaps the most famous Chiefs player from the early days of the franchise. A small part of the reason for that is the dearth of great quarterback play for long stretches of Chiefs history.

From 1965 to 2017, 52 long seasons, the Chiefs only invested three first round picks on quarterbacks. Hindsight is 20/20, but in reality the results from that strategy or lack thereof were what you’d expect.

In large part, though, it was because of Dawson’s spectacular play. After an unsuccessful stint in the NFL, three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and two with the Cleveland Browns, Dawson joined the Dallas Texans and immediately became a star.

In his first season with the franchise, Dawson would set a touchdown mark with 29 TD passes that would only be surpassed once in the next 57 years—his own high set two seasons later (30). He added an AFL All star nod, a First Team All AFL nod, the AFL Player of the Year award, and led the team to its first AFL Championship of the decade.

Dawson’s career was highlighted by spectacular play, but he’s mostly known for his championship exploits. He helmed the franchise to three AFL Championships and was the most valuable player in the team’s Super Bowl IV victory. He delivered the pass to Otis Taylor in one of the most iconic plays in team history, Taylor scampering the final 46-yards for a back breaking score.

As the Chiefs third player in the Hall of Fame, there are probably those who believe he should be higher on this list. If it weren’t for the individual skill of the following athletes he probably would be.

“The most accurate passer in pro football.” – Hank Stram, Chiefs Head Coach