Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and broadcaster Len Dawson died Wednesday at age 87.
“With wife Linda at his side, it is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Len Dawson. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. Len was always grateful and many times overwhelmed by the countless bonds he made during his football and broadcast careers,” Dawson’s family said in a statement to KMBC.
Dawson became a legend in the world of football after leading the Kansas City Chiefs to the team’s first ever Super Bowl in 1967 and their first win in 1970, the outlet reported. After retiring from his professional career as a quarterback at age 41, Dawson became a staple broadcaster in radio, network and cable television, KMBC continued.
You may be cool, but you’ll never be Len Dawson smoking a cigarette and having a beer during halftime of the Super Bowl cool. RIP Legend pic.twitter.com/M8yR116dRW
— Ty (@SkyyHighTy) August 24, 2022
“He loved Kansas City and no matter where his travels took him, he could not wait to return home,” the family statement continued, noting that Dawson recently entered a hospice facility. “Linda wants to acknowledge and thank the wonderful team of doctors, nurses and support staff at KU Med who showed tremendous amounts of love and compassion for Len.”
Tributes to Dawson poured out on social media. Democratic Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas called Dawson “one of Kansas City’s greatest on the field, in broadcasting, and in our community.”
“Len Dawson is an American legend, a Super Bowl Champion, a world class broadcaster, and will forever be among the most important and beloved figures in our city’s history,” the Kansas City Royals wrote on Twitter. “The Royals send sympathy and support to the Chiefs and the Dawson family.” (RELATED: College Linebacker Luke Knox, Brother Of NFL Player Dawson Knox, Dead At 22)
Dawson played 211 career games as a quarterback, according to Fox. He had 28,711 passing yards and earned 239 touchdowns.
