Heroes don't age. So it was sobering to be reminded that Len Dawson, who died on Wednesday, was 87 years old.
Through the years, as with a generation of Chiefs fans, Dawson occupied a sacred perch in our heads. Why those memories remained intensely vivid when so many others failed has largely to do with the increasing place sports has in a community and, in the case of the Chiefs, in a region.
Dawson and the team's arrival in Kansas City in 1963 showed that it could truly be a major city with a real professional sports franchise. It was hard to think of Charlie Finley's Kansas City A's as one.
Lenny came to town fresh off an MVP season, his team from an AFL championship. Most people do not know that Dawson did not live in Dallas from where he came. His family was still in Pittsburgh who had drafted him and where he had played for three years (he played two more in Cleveland before being released), and he ended up in Dallas and the American Football League and playing for Hank Stram, the man who had coached him in college at Purdue.
The thing is Dawson once here, never left, even after he retired. If you missed him on KMBC- TV's evening sports you could catch him for 25 years as host of HBO's groundbreaking Inside the NFL, or listen to his analysis of Chiefs games on the radio. Even as age began to catch up to him, he was succinct in his commentary and eye-opening in his analysis of what was taking place on the field.
A number of years ago, someone was taking a survey of the greatest sports figures in Kansas City history. To no surprise, and acting as the franchise's historian, I put Lenny first among a number of obvious greats to include baseball's George Brett and golf's Tom Watson. Any of these men would legitimately rank as number one.
But I picked Len for the reason that he was first for a city whose status was raised as a result of he and his team coming here. He took his team to two Super Bowls, was MVP of a winning one and directed three teams to championships during his 19-year professional football career, and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Perhaps one day, Patrick Mahomes will better those achievements and take his place as the greatest of them all. That day remains to be seen, so in the meantime, let us all take time to remember Len Dawson, who he was, and what he did for this city.
A photo tribute to legendary Chiefs QB Len Dawson
Len Dawson (16) back to pass during Super Bowl I against the Green Bay Packers
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) poses for a picture.
AFL Commissioner Joe Foss stands with Dallas Texans fullback Curtis McClinton (32) and Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson (16) following the AFL Championship Game, a 20-17 victory over the Houston Oilers on December 23, 1962, December 23, 1962.
Len Dawson (16) on the sideline during Super Bowl 1.
Len Dawson and head coach Hank Stram pose for a photograph.
QB Len Dawson takes a Gatorade break in '69---the first season was available on the sidelines.
QB Len Dawson throws while scrambling against the NY Jets at Shea Stadium.
Len Dawson on headphones at Kansas City home game against New Orleans Saints 1972.
Len Dawson drops back to pass against NY Jets 1969.
Len Dawson (16) poses for an action photograph.
Len Dawson and Head Coach Hank Stram pose for a photograph.
Kansas City head coach Hank Stram and quarterback Len Dawson (16) discuss strategy during a time out in Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.
Len Dawson (16) calls signals and was the MVP of Super Bowl IV; game against Minnesota Vikings
Len Dawson (16) stands for interviews with his son Len Jr. in the locker room after winning Super Bowl IV as the MVP
WR Otis Taylor diagrams a route in the dirt in the bench area for Len Dawson during '69 season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) directs the huddle during a game in 1970.
Len Dawson (16) poses for an action photograph.
Len Dawson takes a call from President Nixon after winning and being named MVP of Super Bowl IV while Chief's owner Lamar Hunt looks on.
Hank Stram, Len Dawson and other Chiefs pose with the Super Bowl trophy during the parade for winning Super Bowl IV.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) throws the football during a game in 1970.
Vikings and Chiefs captains meet for coin flip prior to the Super Bowl IV game of the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Minnesota Vikings played on January 11, 1970.
Chiefs' QB Len Dawson talks to his line in the Super Bowl IV game of the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Minnesota Vikings played on January 11, 1970.
Len Dawson (16) with Lamar Hunt accepting the NFL Man of the Year trophy
Kansas City Chiefs in the historic choir huddle during Super Bowl IV.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) talks to head coach Hank Stram on the sidelines of Municipal Stadium in Kansas City during a game in 1971.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson talks to head coach Hank Stram on the sidelines during a game in 1971.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) drops back for a pass during a game in 1971.
A teammate helps Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) adjust his shoulder pads during a game in 1971.
A closeup sideline portrait of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) during a game in 1971 at Municipal Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) orchestrates the huddle during a game in 1971.
Len Dawson talks on a headset during the game at San Diego September 19, 1971.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Hank Stram talks to quarterback Len Dawson (16) on the sidelines during a 1972 game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) drops back for a pass during a 1972 game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Hank Stram talks to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) on the sidelines during a 1972 game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during a 1973 game.
Hank Stram points to Len Dawson on the sidelines during a game as they talk.
Fans of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson hold up a "16" home-made sign in the stands during the 1975 season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) scrambles and avoids a sack during a 1975 game against the Baltimore Colts.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) drops back for a pass during a 1975 game.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) throws the football downfield during a 1975 game against the Baltimore Colts.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) scrambles to avoid an oncoming Baltimore Colts' defenseman.
Kansas City Chiefs fans post signs thanking Len Dawson during the 1978 NFL football season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson gives a speech during his 1987 NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson waves to the crowd during his 1987 NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Kansas City Chiefs hall of fame quarterback Len Dawson waves to the crowd in 1987 while wearing his Hall of Fame jacket.
The Kansas City Chiefs broadcast team waves from the press box during a 1988 home game.
The 101 KCFX broadcast team poses for a group photo in the press box at Arrowhead Stadium in 1991.
Len Dawson, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson and Mitch Holthus pose for a group photo honoring Mitch as the most prolific play by play announcer in Chiefs history during the Sept. 21 2003 away game against the Houston Texans.
Hank Stram and Len Dawson pose with Stram's Hall of Fame bust in 2003.
Hank Stram and Len Dawson shake hands at Stram's 2013 Hall of Fame induction.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson (16) holding his bust at the NFL Hall of Fame.
Len Dawson (16) rolls out to pass.
Len Dawson (16) huddling with offense during a game.
Len Dawson (16) prepares to receive the snap.
Troy Aikman and Len Dawson pose for a group photo during the 2009 Hall of Fame Weekend in Canton, Ohio.
Len Dawson and Mitch Holthus shake hands on the field before a 2008 home game.
Len Dawson (16) interviews a player after a game for 101 The Fox.
Len Dawson in the broadcast booth in 2012.
Len Dawson in the broadcast booth in 2012.
Len Dawson in the broadcast booth in 2012.
John Dorsey poses with members of the military and Chiefs hall of famers in front of a B-2 bomber at Whiteman Air Force base.
Len Dawson gets ready to bang the big drum before the Dec. 14, 2014 home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs won 31-13.
Len Dawson hits the big drum before the Dec. 14, 2014 home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs won 31-13.
Len Dawson hits the big drum before the Dec. 14, 2014 home game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs won 31-13.
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson meets with the Len Dawson Scholarship recipient, Monday, June 22, 2015.
Len Dawson Scholarship Recipient
The Kansas City Chiefs won 14-13 over the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, August 21, 2015
Len Dawson Scholarship Winner Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 10, 2019
