Len Dawson, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Kansas City Chiefs icon, has passed away at the age of 87, according to his family.
His son, Len Dawson Jr. confirmed the news.
We are deeply saddened to notify you of the demise of our dear Len Dawson, who passed away his wife Linda by his side. He was a great friend, brother, husband, and father. Len was constantly appreciative of the various connections he made throughout his football and broadcasting professions and was frequently overcome by them.
In 1962, Dawson became a member of the Dallas Texans. He then followed the team to Kansas City, where he helped the newly renamed Chiefs win Super Bowl IV. Long after, he continued to work as a TV sportscaster.
Lenny The Cool went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1987 and a broadcaster in 2012.
Dawson was “a part of every significant occasion in Chiefs history,” according to Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt.
Before being drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dawson began his playing career as a brilliant quarterback at Purdue. He was sent to the Cleveland Browns very immediately.
Hank Stram, who had previously worked with the Boilermakers as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach of the AFL team, was reunited with Dawson when he ultimately signed with the Dallas Texans in 1962.
The following season, Dawson relocated to Kansas City with the team after immediately leading the Texans to the AFL championship and being named the league’s MVP. He helped the Chiefs score two.