| 1969 Kansas City Chiefs season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Lamar Hunt |
| General manager | Jack Steadman |
| Head coach | Hank Stram |
| Home stadium | Municipal Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–3 |
| Division place | 2ndAFL Western |
| Playoffs | WonDivisional Playoffs (atJets) 13–6 WonAFL Championship (atRaiders) 17–7 WonSuper Bowl IV (vs.Vikings) 23–7 |
| All-Pros | |
| Pro Bowlers | |
The1969Kansas City Chiefs season was the team's tenth, their seventh inKansas City, and the final season of theAmerican Football League (AFL). It resulted in an 11–3 regular season record and threepostseason road victories, including a 23–7 victory inSuper Bowl IV over theNFL'sheavily favoredMinnesota Vikings. The Chiefs were the second AFL team to win the Super Bowl and last AFL team to do so before theAFL-NFL Merger in thefollowing season.
After two close losses to division rivalOakland in the regular season, the visiting Chiefs upset the Raiders in thefinal AFL Championship Game, claiming their third AFL title. The Chiefs were led by head coachHank Stram, quarterbackLen Dawson, and a powerful defense led byBobby Bell,Willie Lanier,Buck Buchanan,Emmitt Thomas,Johnny Robinson, andCurley Culp. The Chiefs' defense became the fourth defense in the history of pro football to lead its league in fewest rushing yards, fewest passing yards and fewest total yards.[3] Kansas City also ranked second in the AFL in total offense and first in rushing offense.[4] The Chiefs outgained opponents by more than twice as many yards rushing per game.
The season was marred not only by an injury to quarterback Len Dawson, but also controversy surrounding Dawson and his purported involvement in asports gambling ring. Back-up quarterbackMike Livingston and the Chiefs' stellar defense led the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl, this time, to win it all.
Along with ownerLamar Hunt, nine futureHall of Famers were members of the 1969 Chiefs, including QBLen Dawson, LBWillie Lanier, LBBobby Bell, DTBuck Buchanan, DTCurley Culp, CBEmmitt Thomas, SJohnny Robinson, KJan Stenerud, and head coachHank Stram.
In 2006, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs were ranked as the 18th greatestSuper Bowl champions on theNFL Network's documentaryAmerica's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the1969Kansas City Chiefs, with team commentary fromLen Dawson,Willie Lanier andJim Lynch, and narrated byMartin Sheen.[5]
In 2007,ESPN.com ranked the 1969 Chiefs as the seventh-greatest defense in NFL history,[6] noting "Hank Stram's 'Triple Stack' defense, which gave the linebackers lots of room to roam, was superb, holding five opponents to fewer than 10 points and giving up an average of less than two touchdowns a game.... Then they got serious. Against the [defending] Super Bowl championJets in the AFL divisional playoff game atShea Stadium, the Chiefs held on for a 13–6 victory, thanks to a remarkable three-play goal line stand that stifled the Jets on the one. After losing twice to theRaiders during the regular season, the Chiefs allowed a single touchdown, in the first quarter, to win theAFL title over Oakland 17–7. The Chiefs defense then stifled theVikings in the Super Bowl, allowing only two rushing first downs and picking off three passes in the fourth quarter to win 23–7. Total points against the Chiefs in the playoffs: 20." Kansas City is the only team in the Super Bowl era to win the title without allowing as much as 10 points in any postseason game.
The Chiefs did not return to or win the Super Bowl again untilSuper Bowl LIV in the2019 season.
In the first round of the 1969 AFL draft, the Chiefs selected cornerbackJim Marsalis fromTennessee State. Marsalis became an immediate starter at cornerback alongside veteranEmmitt Thomas. He was the only Chiefs rookie to start for the 1969 team, asEd Podolak andBob Stein were benched, andMorris Stroud andJack Rudnay sat out the season with injuries.
| 1969 Kansas City Chiefs Draft | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 23 | Jim Marsalis | Defensive back | Tennessee State | |
| 2 | 48 | Ed Podolak | Running back | Iowa | |
| 3 | 61 | Traded toDenver | fromBoston | ||
| 76 | Morris Stroud | Tight end | Clark | ||
| 4 | 101 | Jack Rudnay | Center | Northwestern | |
| 5 | 126 | Bob Stein | Linebacker | Minnesota | |
| 6 | 155 | John Pleasant | Running back | Alabama State | |
| 7 | 179 | Tom Nettles | Wide receiver | San Diego State | |
| 8 | 204 | Clanton King | Tackle | Purdue | |
| 206 | Maurice LeBlanc | Defensive back | Louisiana State | fromOakland | |
| 9 | 231 | Dan Klepper | Guard | Omaha | |
| 10 | 257 | John Spoonheimer | Defensive tackle | Cornell | |
| 11 | 282 | Skip Wupper | Defensive end | C.W. Post | |
| 12 | 309 | John Lavin | Linebacker | Notre Dame | |
| 13 | 335 | Rick Piland | Guard | Virginia Tech | |
| 14 | 360 | Al Bream | Defensive back | Iowa | |
| 15 | 388 | Leland Winston | Offensive tackle | Rice | |
| 16 | 413 | Eural Johnson | Defensive back | Prairie View | |
| 17 | 438 | Ralph Jenkins | Defensive back | Tuskegee | |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
|
| Quarterbacks(QB) Running backs(RB) Wide receivers(WR) Tight ends(TE) | Offensive linemen(OL)
| Linebackers(LB)
Defensive backs(DB)
Special teams(ST)
| Practice squad
Reserve
Complete team roster Rookies in italics 40 active, 6 reserve, 4 practice squad |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 2 | vs.Oakland Raiders | W 23–17 | 1–0 | Legion Field(Birmingham) | 21,000 | Recap |
| 2 | August 9 | Detroit Lions | W 38–13 | 2–0 | Municipal Stadium | 38,000 | Recap |
| 3 | August 16 | vs.Cincinnati Bengals | W 23–7 | 3–0 | Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium(Jackson) | 24,513 | Recap |
| 4 | August 23 | atLos Angeles Rams | W 42–14 | 4–0 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 58,306 | Recap |
| 5 | August 29 | atSt. Louis Cardinals | W 31–21 | 5–0 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 48,006 | Recap |
| 6 | September 6 | Atlanta Falcons | W 14–10 | 6–0 | Municipal Stadium | 37,273 | Recap |
The Chiefs began the regular season with four consecutive road games for the only time in team history, due to a scheduling conflict with theKansas City Royals about usage ofMunicipal Stadium.[7]After a decisive 27–9 win at San Diego (9/14), the club posted a 31–0 shutout at Boston (9/21), but QBLen Dawson sustained a knee injury against the Patriots. The once-optimistic picture for the Chiefs went from bad to worse the following week when backup QBJacky Lee went down with a broken ankle in a 24–19 loss at Cincinnati (9/28). That injury left the team's most crucial position in the hands of second-year QBMike Livingston, who took just five snaps as a rookie in ‘68.[7]
However, Livingston engineered a five-game winning streak, while getting plenty of help from the club's defense. The team's home opener atMunicipal Stadium was played in a daylong deluge referred to as a "frog-strangler" by Chiefs radio broadcasterBill Grigsby. The Chiefs and Oilers combined for 14 fumbles in a 24–0 Kansas City victory (10/12).[7]
Dawson returned to the starting lineup in a 27–3 win vs. San Diego (11/9) and guided the club to three wins in the season's next four games.Denver Broncos coachLou Saban was infuriated following the Chiefs 31–17 win vs. Denver (11/27). Trailing 24–17 late in the game, Denver attempted an onside kick that was recovered by LBBobby Bell, who promptly returned that kick for a 53-yard TD. Mike Livingston started the following week vs. Buffalo (12/7) for an again-injured Dawson, who returned for the regular-season finale at Oakland (12/13). A 10–6 loss vs. the Raiders gave the Chiefs an 11–3 record, good for second in the division behind Oakland (12–1–1).[7]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 14 | atSan Diego Chargers | W 27–9 | 1–0 | San Diego Stadium | 47,988 | Recap | ||
| 2 | September 21 | atBoston Patriots | W 31–0 | 2–0 | Alumni Stadium | 22,002 | Recap | ||
| 3 | September 28 | atCincinnati Bengals | L 19–24 | 2–1 | Nippert Stadium | 27,812 | Recap | ||
| 4 | October 5 | atDenver Broncos | W 26–13 | 3–1 | Mile High Stadium | 50,564 | Recap | ||
| 5 | October 12 | Houston Oilers | W 24–0 | 4–1 | Municipal Stadium | 45,805 | Recap | ||
| 6 | October 19 | Miami Dolphins | W 17–10 | 5–1 | Municipal Stadium | 49,809 | Recap | ||
| 7 | October 26 | Cincinnati Bengals | W 42–22 | 6–1 | Municipal Stadium | 50,934 | Recap | ||
| 8 | November 2 | atBuffalo Bills | W 29–7 | 7–1 | War Memorial Stadium | 45,844 | Recap | ||
| 9 | November 9 | San Diego Chargers | W 27–3 | 8–1 | Municipal Stadium | 51,104 | Recap | ||
| 10 | November 16 | atNew York Jets | W 34–16 | 9–1 | Shea Stadium | 63,849 | Recap | ||
| 11 | November 23 | Oakland Raiders | L 24–27 | 9–2 | Municipal Stadium | 51,982 | Recap | ||
| 12 | November 27 | Denver Broncos | W 31–17 | 10–2 | Municipal Stadium | 48,773 | Recap | ||
| 13 | December 7 | Buffalo Bills | W 22–19 | 11–2 | Municipal Stadium | 47,112 | Recap | ||
| 14 | December 13 | atOakland Raiders | L 6–10 | 11–3 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 54,443 | Recap | ||
| Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text. | |||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 3 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
atSan Diego Stadium,San Diego, California
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 14 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
| Patriots | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
atAlumni Stadium,Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 6 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
| Bengals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
atNippert Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 3 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 26 |
| Broncos | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
atMile High Stadium,Denver, Colorado
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oilers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chiefs | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
atMunicipal Stadium,Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 0 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 22 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 29 |
| Bills | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| Jets | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
atShea Stadium,New York, New York
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders | 3 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 3 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 22 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 22 |
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Raiders | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
atOakland–Alameda County Coliseum,Oakland, California
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| AFL Western Division | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | PF | PA | STK | ||
| Oakland Raiders | 12 | 1 | 1 | .923 | 7–1 | 377 | 242 | W6 | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 5–3 | 359 | 177 | L1 | |
| San Diego Chargers | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 2–6 | 288 | 276 | W4 | |
| Denver Broncos | 5 | 8 | 1 | .385 | 3–5 | 297 | 344 | W1 | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 9 | 1 | .308 | 3–5 | 280 | 367 | L5 | |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings of the AFL.
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional | December 20 | atNew York Jets | W 13–6 | 1–0 | Shea Stadium | 62,977 | Recap |
| AFL Championship | January 4 | atOakland Raiders | W 17–7 | 2–0 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 53,564 | Recap |
| Super Bowl IV | January 11 | vs.Minnesota Vikings | W 23–7 | 3–0 | Tulane Stadium | 80,562 | Recap |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Jets | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
atShea Stadium,New York, New York
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In the 1969 AFL Divisional Playoff Game at theNew York Jets (12/20), Kansas City rode its dominating defense which produced a crucial goal-line stand en route to a 13–6 win over the defending Super Bowl champions to set up a rematch with the Raiders in the final AFL Championship Game.[7]
Chiefs went to the AFL Championship to the Oakland Raiders and win 17-7. And win Super Bowl IV to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Raiders | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Kansas City Chiefs won the last championship of the AFL, 17–7, by slowing down the Oakland passing attack and capitalizing on big plays. The Raiders looked on their way to their third win of the year against Kansas City whenCharlie Smith scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter. But then,Len Dawson who had thrown seven incompletions in a row, hitFrank Pitts for a 41-yard gain to the Raiders' 1. Three plays later,Wendell Hayes blasted in for the tying touchdown. Dawson again pulled out a big play with the game tied, 7–7, in the third quarter. Facing a third-and-14 at the Kansas City 2, Dawson scrambled out of trouble and fired a 35-yard pass toOtis Taylor. That play was the key to a 94-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard scoring run byRobert Holmes. The Chiefs turned the ball over inside their own 30 three times in the fourth quarter, but each time they intercepted Raider quarterbackDaryle Lamonica, who was playing despite having severely jammed his throwing hand against the helmet ofAaron Brown early in the final period. Chiefs go to Super Bowl IV and win to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
atTulane Stadium,New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The fourth annual AFL-NFL Championship Game, now officially known as the "Super Bowl", was played on January 11, 1970, atTulane Stadium inNew Orleans,Louisiana. The AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the NFL championMinnesota Vikings, 23–7.
Even though the Vikings were 13-point favorites coming into the game, the Chiefs defense dominated the game by limiting the Minnesota offense to only 67 rushing yards, forcing 3 interceptions, and recovering 2 fumbles. The victory by the AFL evened the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece.
Kansas City's Len Dawson became the fourth consecutive winning quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with 1 interception. Dawson also recorded 3 rushing attempts for 11 yards.
The Vikings began the game by taking the opening kickoff and marching from their own 20-yard line to the Kansas City 39-yard line, but were forced to punt. The Chiefs then drove 42 yards in 8 plays to score on kickerJan Stenerud's Super Bowl record 48-yard field goal. (According to Dawson, the Vikings were shocked that the Chiefs would attempt a 48-yard field goal. "Stenerud was a major factor", he said.)[8] Minnesota then managed to reach midfield on their next drive, but were forced to punt again.
On the first play of their ensuing drive, Chiefs quarterbackLen Dawson threw a 20-yard completion to wide receiverFrank Pitts, followed by a 9-yard pass to wide receiverOtis Taylor. Four plays later, on the first play of the second quarter, a pass interference penalty on Vikings defensive backEd Sharockman nullified Dawson's third down incompletion and gave Kansas City a first down at the Minnesota 31-yard line. However, on third down and 4 at the 25-yard line, Vikings cornerbackEarsell Mackbee broke up a deep pass intended for Taylor. Stenerud then kicked another field goal to increase the Chiefs lead to 6–0.
On the second play of their next drive, Vikings wide receiverJohn Henderson fumbled the ball after catching a 16-yard reception, and Chiefs defensive backJohnny Robinson recovered the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line. But the Vikings made key defensive plays. First defensive tackleAlan Page tackled running backMike Garrett for a 1-yard loss, and then safetyPaul Krause intercepted Dawson's pass at the 7-yard line on the next play.
However, the Vikings also could not take advantage of the turnover. QuarterbackJoe Kapp's two incompletions and a delay of game penalty forced Minnesota to punt from their own 5-yard line. The Chiefs then took over at the Viking 44-yard line after punterBob Lee's kick only went 39 yards. A 19-yard run by Pitts on a reverse play then set up another field goal by Stenerud to increase the Chiefs' lead to 9–0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Vikings returner Charlie West fumbled the ball, and Kansas City's Remi Prudhomme recovered it at Minnesota 19-yard line. Defensive tackleJim Marshall sacked Dawson for an 8-yard loss by on the first play of the drive, but then a 13-yard run by running backWendell Hayes and a 10-yard reception by Taylor gave the Chiefs a first down at the 4-yard line. Two plays later, running backMike Garrett's 5-yard touchdown run gave Kansas City a 16–0 lead. The play call was “65 Toss Power Trap”, which became a classic play call in NFL history. It was heard because head coachHank Stram was wearing a microphone forNFL Films, making him the first person to ever do that.[5]
West returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the 32-yard line. Then on the first play of the drive, Kapp completed a 27-yard pass to Henderson to advance the ball to the Kansas City 41-yard line. However, on the next 3 plays, Kapp threw 2 incompletions and was sacked by defensive tackleBuck Buchanan for an 8-yard loss. Then on fourth down, kickerFred Cox's 56-yard field goal attempt fell short of the goal posts.
In the third quarter, the Vikings managed to build some momentum. After forcing the Chiefs to punt on the opening possession of the second half, Minnesota drove 69 yards in 10 plays to score on fullbackDave Osborn's 4-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead, 16–7. However, Kansas City responded on their next possession with a 6-play, 82-yard drive to score on Dawson's 46-yard touchdown completion to Taylor three minutes later.
The Chiefs would then go on to shut out the Vikings in the fourth quarter, forcing three interceptions on three Minnesota possessions, to clinch the 23–7 victory. The defeat was total for the Vikings, as even their "Indestructible" quarterback Joe Kapp had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Chiefs defensive linemanAaron Brown.
Garrett was the top rusher of the game, recording 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 2 passes for 25 yards and returned a kickoff for 18 yards. Taylor was the Chiefs' leading receiver with 6 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Kapp finished the game with 16 of 25 completions for 183 yards, with 2 interceptions. Henderson was the top receiver of the game with 7 catches for 111 yards.
This was the last game where the winner was awarded the World Championship Game Trophy, as later that fall the trophy was renamed theVince Lombardi Trophy due to Lombardi's death and theAFL-NFL Merger.
The Chiefs sent nine players to theAmerican Football League All-Star game to represent the AFL West.[9]
| Preceded by | American Football League champion 1969 | Succeeded by Final champion |
