The legendary Kansas City signal-caller and later NFL broadcaster died at the age of 87, his family announced Wednesday. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson before throwing the final touchdown pass of the game to wide receiver Otis Taylor as the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings to win Super Bowl IV in 1970 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Evolving, yes. WebLen Dawson was born on June 25, 1935 in Alliance, Ohio, USA. 19670115-FR-269 1967 Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images, NOV 17 1974 Dawson, Len - Individuals Kansas City's Len Dawson "After 17 years, I'm having a good time." KANSAS CITY, Mo. While in high school, he set records in both basketball and football. Im talking about the time that a clearly exhausted Dawson with his jersey and uniform already disheveled in an appropriate football way smoked a cigarette while drinking a Fresca during the halftime of Super Bowl I versus the Packers in January 1967. The legacy and impact you made on Kansas City will live on forever.. They might even point to his various top AFL passing marks over the years. PHOTOS: Take a look inside the old Cass County Jail. Stram tapped into his talent, helping Dawson to quickly become one of the leagues prolific passers as the Texans went 11-3 and won the first of three championships. Bill Ray / The LIFE Picture Collection / Shutterstock. The Dawson It wasnt unusual, it wasnt looked down upon there were medical people telling people to smoke cigarettes because they were mentholated and represented a cooling for your throat. With newfound freedom to sign anywhere, Dawson jumped to the upstart AFL and the Texans, lured in part by the chance to play for one of his old coaches at Purdue. Dawson did whether it was intentional or not. Len has played for Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. He has a daughter named Anne Dawson and a son named Len Dawson Jr. in his family. One of the great disappointments of Dawsons career wound up with a positive outcome. Pat [Mahomes] should do that that would be golden, Hill told Yahoo Sports with a laugh. Based on one black and white moment in a Pro Football Hall of Fame career, former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson did not possess that strict mindset. There are several posters that have been printed in honor of Len. With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of Many people will and probably rightfully consider that Super Bowl IV performance the highlight of Dawsons prolific career. On Wednesday, Dawson died at age 87, yet his iconic image remains. Len Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1987 and as a broadcaster in 2012. And when I think of Dawson at that moment, what I envision is a warrior recharging for a brutal battle by simply trying to take a load off while he could. Len is 87 years old. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson is surrounded by sports writers as he gives thought to each question shot at him. Len also participated in Super Bowl IV shortly after his dramatic comeback in the 1969 season with Kansa City after suffering from a knee injury. KANSAS CITY, Mo. He led the Chiefs to the three championships of 1962, 1966, and 1969 in the American Football League. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and popular radio and TV sports personality Len Dawson has died. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Ben Davidson, the hulking defensive end who starred for the Oakland Raiders in the 1960s before becoming a famous television pitch man, has died. He was 82. Dawson played for the Chiefs from 1963-75. Did Naomi J. Ogawa go to film school? Flores, who recently played golf with Davidson, got the news while in Las Vegas for a celebration of Davis, who would have turned 83 on Wednesday. Len Dawson is a former American football quarterback for the National Football League and American Football League. Len was the third-youngest of eleven children in the Dawson clan. He spent eight seasons with the Raiders. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Linda Johnson, and two children from his first marriage, Lisa Anne Dawson and Len Dawson Jr. Quarterback Len Dawson #16 of the Kansas City Chiefs drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders during an early circa 1970s NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. WebLes Dawson was born at Collyhurst, Manchester, on 2 February 1931, [2] the only child of bricklayer Leslie Dawson (2 August 1905 - 10 April 1970) and Julia Nolan (14 January 1908 - 29 September 1957) who was of Irish descent. He was a driving force behind the success of many well-known players. He was an actor, known for Personal Best (1982), The Love Butcher (1975) and Pro Bowlers' Tour (1962). I could not have accomplished so much without my teammates and colleagues, and Im grateful for each of them.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dawson was the ninth of 11 children of Ohio native James and England-born Annie Dawson. His death has saddened his fans and football fans alike. LIFE Magazine's iconic photo of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson smoking at halftime of Super Bowl I. Dawson Davidson died Monday night. The car was part of his reward for being named most valuable player in the Super Bowl Game with Minnesota on January 11. For starters, the photo includes Dawson, a Chiefs legend. Mr. Dawsons wife of 24 years, Jacqueline Puzder, died in 1978. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him as the fifth overall choice in the 1957 NFL Draft. While the concept of smoking during a game might seem outrageous now, Arbanas assertion is backed up by Chiefs historian Bob Moore, who joined the team in 1989 and spent two decades as its public relations director. 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This was accumulated over the course of his productive NFL and AFL career as a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Kansas City Chiefs. It perfectly captured a time and place. I dont remember seeing anybody smoking a cigarette in the locker room from the end of the 80s, into the 90s.. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KMBC-TV. Back row, from left to right: Jim Plunkett ('81), Terrell Davis ('98), Ray Lewis ('01), Fred Biletnikoff ('77), Joe Namath ('69), NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Randy White ('78), Chuck Howley ('71), John Riggins ('83) and Steve Young ('95). Lisa happens to be the first and only daughter of the renowned Yes, Len is alive and currently involved in charity activities. He was a quarterback in the Nationa Football League and the American Football League for 19 seasons, mostly for the Kansas City Chiefs. While other Chiefs remember it differently You might see one or two guys the whole locker room wouldnt be that way, said Hall of Fame linebacker and devout non-smoker Bobby Bell smoking was at least common enough that this particular photo, taken by LIFE Magazines Bill Ray, was considered so unremarkable that LIFE never used it in print. Back To Topics. Lisa Anne Dawson is a celebrity daughter to the famous American football quaterback Len Dawson. Provided the Chiefs win the upcoming Super Bowl, of course. It was the 1969 season that proved to be the most memorable of Dawsons career, though. When Dawson entered hospice care, his The Packers beat the Chiefs, 35-10 to win the professional football World Championship. Family (1) Trivia (21) Super Bowl IV MVP. Len was constantly appreciative of the innumerable connections he made throughout his football and broadcasting professions and was frequently overcome by them), the statement added. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. Wayne Shorter family, wife, children, parents, siblings, Wayne Shorter parents: Meet Joseph Shorter, Louise Shorter, Wayne Shorter siblings: Meet Alan Shorter, Hajia4Real tops Twitter trends following U.S. jail reports, Sulley Muntari, Agyeman Badu, Asamoah Gyan, others visit Christian Atsus family home, VIDEO: Government will be fully involved in providing Christian Atsu a befitting burial Dr. Bawumia, Christian Atsus mortal remains arrive in Ghana via Turkish Airlines, Maybe I created enemies along the line Kofi Amoabeng on UT Banks collapse, Christian Atsu was one of Ghanas finest personnel Akufo-Addo. In detail, Lisa and Len are reportedly Internet celebrities. I think in the eyes of a lot of our fans, that are diehard and passionate, a championship back in our city would be a huge deal. That's where the 6-foot-8 Davidson became famous. On August 24, 2022, Dawson passed away at 87. pic.twitter.com/IjBNeD6MY0, Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 13, 2018. He was always that way.". Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson has died at the age of 87. All the locker room stalls at Arrowhead Stadium came with ashtrays when it opened in 1972. Len was always grateful and many times overwhelmed by the countless bonds he made during his football and broadcast careers.. (He was a great friend, brother, husband, and father. In 1987, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. June 20 Football Player #3. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images. His passing leaves a hole in the heart of Kansas City. His family includes a daughter who goes by the name Anne Dawson and a son who goes by the name Len Dawson Jr. Its been a true privilege and honor to have Len at the center of our broadcast team for the last 33 years, said Dan Israel, the executive producer of the Chiefs radio network, upon his retirement a few years ago. Since then, Len has been creating health awareness by educating on prostate cancer for early detection through regular health checkups. With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson, KMBC in Kansas City, where Lawson had previously worked as a sports broadcaster, received a statement from the family. Lisa Anne Dawson is the celebrity daughter of famed American football quarterback Len Dawson. Of his family, of Chiefs memorabilia fairly standard stuff. Len has played for Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Puzder mothers Len Dawson, Jr. and Lisa Anne Dawson who are the only biological children of the legend. As Dawson was on the But our society loves throwbacks be it jerseys, old games, etc. But dont ask him to actually smoke the cigarette though. Davidson played in the second Super Bowl for Oakland after the 1967 season and then was on the team that lost the conference title game the next three seasons. He led the NCAA in passing efficiency as a sophomore while also playing defense and kicking, and helped lead an upset of Notre Dame during that 1954 season. Leonard Ray Len Dawson was born to parents James and Annie in Alliance, OH on June 20, 1935. Legendary Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Kansas City broadcaster Len Dawson has died. Dawson played for the Chiefs from 1963-75. Dawson, who won three AFL championships and led Kansas City to its first Super Bowl victory, died Wednesday at the age of 87. RIP to the legend Len Dawson, Mahomes wrote in a tweet. Dawson led the Chiefs to victories over the defending champion Jets and bitter rival Raiders to reach what would be the final Super Bowl before the AFL-NFL merger, where he threw for 142 yards and a score in a 23-7 triumph. Len got married to his second wife, Linda. According to the records he had a son and a daughter; Len Dawson, Jr. and Lisa Anne Dawson. At left, in a Dec. 20, 2015, file photo, Joe Montana is shown during halftime of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. At right, in an Oct. 30, 2017, file photo, former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game between the Chiefs and Denver Broncos in Kansas City, Mo. In 1955, he welcomed his daughter Anne into the world, and in 1960, his son. Follow me on Twitter (@NaNa_KqAmE). In 1966, he took the team to the Super Bowl, where they fell victim to the Green Bay Packers. The posters include; Len Dawson poster written number 16 by positive images and also the Len Dawson cigarette poster by CareyRogers. He played his rookie season with Green Bay, winning the NFL championship with the Packers in 1961. They proceeded to win two more AFL titles, one in 1966 when they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl, and the other in 69, when Dawson returned from an injury to help beat the Vikings at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. He was an actor, known for Personal Best (1982), The Love Butcher (1975) and Pro Bowlers' Tour (1962). From 1957 to 1959, he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers before being moved to the Cleveland Browns. Len Dawson was a well-known player in the National Football League. He first got married in 1954 to Jacqueline Puzder, who was his high school girlfriend. The family sent a statement to the press, (With his lovely wife Linda at his side, it is with great sadness that we inform you of the demise of our beloved Len Dawson.). Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Press Esc to cancel. Hall of Famer kicker Jan Stenerud joined the Chiefs the season after the photo was shot. Theres a green Fresca bottle between his feet, and in between his right thumb and index finger, a lit cigarette pulled closely to his lips, captured precisely with his cheeks sucked in, mid-drag. With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson, the familys statement read. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Linda Johnson, and two children from his first marriage, Lisa Anne Dawson and Len Dawson Jr. Additionally, Len has undergone quadruple heart surgery and has experienced episodes of shingles and some memory lapses. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Recently, John Lyn reveals a message to Tom Brady talking about his retirement matter. Credit where credit is due, Jon Jones is known as a dirty fighter who Golden State Warriors fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of their star player, What a start to his career Cody Garbrandt had!