The Kansas City Chiefs have lost one of the pillars of the organization’s long history. After being placed in hospice care over a week ago, former Chiefs QB Len Dawson died at 87 years old.
Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt released the following statement after news spread of Dawson’s death:
“My family and I are heartbroken. Len Dawson is synonymous with the Kansas City Chiefs. Len embraced and came to embody Kansas City and the people that call it home. You would be hard-pressed to find a player who had a bigger impact in shaping the organization as we know it today than Len Dawson did. I admired Len my entire life – first as a Hall of Fame player on the field, and later as he transitioned into a successful broadcasting career. Throughout his remarkable career, Len made it a priority to give back to the community that he loved. The franchise has lost a true legend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Linda and his family.”
Dawson’s impact on the franchise was so unique because even after his retirement from football, Dawson wasn’t far from the organization. His broadcasting career kept him close and on the minds of many in the area. He made Kansas City his home, but also the Chiefs. It’s something special that few players achieve and the reason that he will be missed by so many.
