The Chiefs had just come off a 1971 season where they finished at 10-3-1, good for 1st place in the AFC West. They lost in the 1st round to the Dolphins, the eventual AFC champions. 1972 saw the Chiefs slide to an 8-6 record, finishing 2nd to the Raiders.
Len Dawson is back for his 11th season as the starting QB. This is the last season he would start more than 8 games. Dawson retired after the 1975 season, and would join the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Ed Podolak was drafted in 1969, and spent his entire 9-year career with the Chiefs. He was a starting running back from 1970 to 1975.
Otis Taylor was the Chiefs' 4th-round pick in 1965. (The Eagles also drafted him in the 15th round.) Otis was the Chiefs' primary wide receiver from 1966 to 1974, and retired after playing only 1 game in 1975. In 1971 he led the NFL with 1110 receiving yards.
Jim Tyrer was a 3rd-round pick for the Chiefs (Dallas Texans) in 1961, and held down their starting left offensive tackle job from 1962 to 1973. A 9-time Pro Bowler, he finished his career in 1974 with the Redskins.
Jan Stenerud joined the Chiefs in 1967, 1 year too late to play in Super Bowl I. He kicked for the Chiefs for 13 seasons, followed by 4 with the Packers (1980-83), and 2 with the Vikings. He was inducted into the Hall or Fame in 1991.
Buck Buchanan was the 1st overall draft pick in the 1963 AFL draft. This 6'-7", 270 lb mountain was a starting defensive tackle for the Chiefs for his entire 11-year career (1963-75). As a rookie he played on the left side, before switching to right tackle the next season. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990, after being a finalist 4 other times.
Willie Lanier played his entire 11-year career as a starting linebacker for the Chiefs. After playing the right side as a rookie, he moved to middle linebacker for the duration of his career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Like Lanier, Bobby Bell played his entire career as a starter for the Chiefs. Also like Lanier, Bell is a Hall of Famer, entering in 1983. Bobby was a 2nd-round pick in 1963, and spent his first 2 seasons at left defensive end, before moving to left linebacker.
Jim Marsalis was the Chiefs' #1 pick in 1969, and spent his first 4 seasons as their starting left cornerback. He also played for the Chiefs during 1973-75. After missing the 1976 season, he finished his career in 1977 with the Saints.
Emmitt Thomas is the 6th player in this review to have played his entire career for the Chiefs. He joined the team in 1966 and held down a starting cornerback job from 1968 until his retirement after the 1978 season, Thomas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Jerrel Wilson was drafted by the Chiefs in 1963, and spent the next 16 seasons as their punter. He led the league in punting yards in 1964 (3326) and 1973 (3642), and punted a 72-yarder as a rookie. Jerrel also launched 70-yard punts 2 other times in his career. He finished his career with the Patriots in 1978.Also check out the 1968 and 1971 Chiefs.
Next time: St. Louis Cardinals
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