Len Dawson was a prominent American football quarterback with a 19-season career in the NFL and AFL, mainly with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Purdue before starting his professional career in 1957 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Cleveland Browns. In 1962, he transitioned to the AFL's Dallas Texans (later Kansas City Chiefs), staying for 14 seasons. Dawson's career continued with the Chiefs post the AFL-NFL merger.
June 20, 1935: Birth of Len Dawson
Len Dawson was born on June 20, 1935.
1954: First Marriage
Len Dawson married his high school sweetheart in 1954.
1954: Start of Dawson's Purdue Career
Len Dawson's three-season career with the Purdue Boilermakers began in 1954.
1954: Dawson's Sophomore Season at Purdue
In 1954, Dawson led the NCAA in pass efficiency as Purdue's quarterback.
1955: All-Big Ten Selection
Dawson was named an All-Big Ten quarterback in 1955.
1956: All-American Honors
Dawson was named a third-team All-American in 1956.
1957: NFL Debut with Pittsburgh Steelers
Len Dawson began his NFL career in 1957 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1957: Drafted by the Steelers
Len Dawson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957.
1958: Steelers Acquire Bobby Layne
The Steelers acquired Bobby Layne in 1958.
December 31, 1959: Trade to Cleveland Browns
Len Dawson was traded to the Cleveland Browns on December 31, 1959.
1961: Released by the Browns
Dawson was released by the Cleveland Browns after the 1961 season.
June 30, 1962: Reunion with Hank Stram
On June 30, 1962, Dawson signed with the Dallas Texans, reuniting with coach Hank Stram.
1962: Joining the AFL's Dallas Texans
In 1962, Len Dawson left the NFL to join the AFL's Dallas Texans.
1962: Start of AFL Dominance
Dawson's dominant period in the AFL began in 1962.
1962: AFL MVP and Championship Win
In 1962, Dawson was named AFL MVP and led the Texans to a championship victory.
1962: AFL MVP and Championship
Dawson was named the AFL's Most Valuable Player and led the Dallas Texans to an AFL championship in 1962.
1964: Setting Single-Season Records
Dawson set single-season passing touchdown and yard records in 1964.
1966: AFL Championship and Super Bowl I Appearance
In 1966, Dawson led the Chiefs to an AFL Championship and their first Super Bowl appearance.
1966: Becomes Sports Director at KMBC-TV
Len Dawson became the sports director at KMBC-TV in 1966.
1969: End of AFL Dominance
Dawson's dominant run in the AFL ended in 1969.
1969: Super Bowl IV Victory and MVP
In 1969, Dawson led the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV and was named MVP despite a knee injury and gambling allegations.
1969: Super Bowl IV Championship
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Len Dawson, won Super Bowl IV in 1969.
November 1, 1970: Incident with Ben Davidson
On November 1, 1970, an incident involving Len Dawson and Raiders' Ben Davidson occurred, leading to a brawl and costing the Chiefs a potential win.
1970: Named to AFL All-Time Team
Dawson was named to the American Football League All-Time Team in 1970.
1975: Retirement from Professional Football
Len Dawson retired from professional football after the 1975 season.
1975: End of Playing Career
Len Dawson's playing career ended in 1975.
May 1976: Announcement of Retirement
Len Dawson announced his retirement in May 1976.
1978: Death of First Wife
Len Dawson's first wife passed away in 1978.
1979: Induction into Chiefs Hall of Fame
Len Dawson was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1979.
1979: Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame Induction
Len Dawson was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1979.
1982: End of NBC Analyst Role
In 1982, Len Dawson concluded his role as an analyst for NBC's AFC coverage.
1983: Passing Yards Record Broken
Dawson's single-season passing yards record was broken in 1983.
1985: Chiefs Radio Analyst
Len Dawson started as the color analyst for the Chiefs' radio broadcast team in 1985.
1987: Induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Len Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
1987: Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
Len Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
1991: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Len Dawson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991.
1996: Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
Len Dawson was inducted into Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
1998: Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign with Depend
Len Dawson partnered with Depend in 1998 to promote prostate cancer awareness and encourage men to get screened.
2001: End of Inside the NFL Hosting
In 2001, Len Dawson finished his role as host of HBO's Inside the NFL.
2006: NFL Network Documentary Interview
Len Dawson was interviewed in 2006 for the NFL Network documentary "America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions," which focused on the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs season.
2008: Walter Camp Distinguished American Award
Len Dawson received the Walter Camp Distinguished American Award in 2008.
March 16, 2009: Stepping Down from KMBC-TV Anchor Role
On March 16, 2009, Dawson announced he would step down from his nightly anchor role at KMBC-TV.
2012: Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award
Len Dawson received the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, recognizing his contributions to sports broadcasting.
2017: Retirement from Broadcasting and Chiefs Broadcast Booth Dedication
In 2017, the Chiefs named their broadcast booth at Arrowhead Stadium after Len Dawson. He also retired from broadcasting, concluding 58 years with the Texans/Chiefs organization.
2018: Passing Touchdown Record Broken
Dawson's single-season passing touchdown record was broken in 2018.
August 12, 2022: Enters Hospice Care
On August 12, 2022, Len Dawson's family announced that he had entered hospice care.
August 24, 2022: Death of Len Dawson
Len Dawson passed away on August 24, 2022.
2022: Chiefs Honor Dawson
Throughout the 2022 season, the Chiefs honored Len Dawson by wearing a decal with his number 16 on their helmets and performing his signature huddle.