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1. Len Dawson

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1. Len Dawson

We certainly could have made a case for Len Dawson at the top of this list.  There is also merit to stating that Dawson was the greatest Quarterback in the AFL throughout the 1960’s.

Dawson was a First Round Draft Pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers but the former Purdue Boilermaker accomplished nothing there as he would in Cleveland shortly thereafter.  It looked like Dawson become a bust but after being released by the Browns he would sign with the Dallas Texans and it was a match made in football heaven.

Dawson would lead the American Football League in Touchdown Passes in his first season there while more importantly taking the team to a league championship win (1962).  Dawson and the team would move north to Kansas City where they would become the Chiefs but while the team’s geography would change, Dawson’s efficiency would not. 

Dawson’s AFL league leading Passer Rating of 1962 would be duplicated in every season from 1964 to 1968 as well as posting four seasons where he led the league in Touchdown Passes.  Dawson would take the Chiefs to the first Super Bowl where although they lost, Dawson impressed many in defeat.  He would later take the Chiefs to a win in Super Bowl IV (where he was named the Super Bowl MVP), which was the only one in franchise history.

Overall as a Chief, he threw for 28,507 Yards and 237 Touchdown Passes numbers which are incredible for his time period.

Dawson would enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame the same year.  His no. 16 has also been retired by the team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Quarterback
  • Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent 6/30/62.
  • Departed: Retired 5/15/76.
  • Games Played: 177
  • Notable Statistics:

    157 Games Started
    2,115 Pass Completions
    3,696 Pass Attempts
    57.2% Pass Completion Percentage
    28,507 Passing Yards
    237 Touchdown Passes
    178 Interceptions
    83.2 Quarterback Rating
    283 Rushing Attempts
    1,253 Rushing Yards
    9 Rushing Touchdowns
    143 Approximate Value

    8 Playoff Games
    107 Pass Completions
    188 Pass Attempts
    56.9% Pass Completion Percentage
    1,497 Passing Yards
    7 Touchdown Passes
    8 Interceptions
    77.4 Quarterback Rating
    21 Rushing Attempts
    103 Rushing Yards

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (IV)
    AFL Champion (1962, 1966 & 1969)
    First Team All-Pro (1962 & 1966)
    Second Team All-Pro (1964, 1966 & 1968)
    Pro Bowl (1971)
    AFL All-Star (1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968 & 1969)
    Super Bowl MVP (IV)
    Walter Payton Man of the Year (1973)
    Most Touchdown Passes (1962, 1963, 1965 & 1966)
    Highest Passer Rating (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1968)
    Most Yards per Pass Attempt (1962, 1966 & 1968)
    Highest Pass Completion Percentage (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 & 1975)

Last modified on Sunday, 31 July 2022 22:58

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