1969 Kansas City Chiefs season

10th season in franchise history; first Super Bowl win August 2023 March 2026 Kansas City Chiefs 1969 11–3 2nd AFL Western Hank Stram Lamar Hunt Jack Steadman Municipal Stadium Won Divisional Playoffs(at Jets) 13–6Won AFL Championship(at Raiders) 17–7Won Super Bowl IV(vs. Vikings) 23–7 11https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1969_AFL/probowl.htm 1969 AFL Pro Bowlers Pro-Football-Reference.com LB Bobby Bell DT Buck Buchanan G Ed Budde DT Curley Culp QB Len Dawson RB Robert Holmes LB Willie Lanier QB Mike Livingston CB Jim Marsalis K Jan Stenerud OT Jim Tyrer 14https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1969_AFL/allpro.htm 1969 NFL All-Pros Pro-Football-Reference.com LB Bobby Bell DE Aaron Brown DT Buck Buchanan G Ed Budde OT Dave Hill C E.J. Holub LB Willie Lanier LB Jim Lynch DE Jerry Mays G Mo Moorman S Johnny Robinson K Jan Stenerud OT Jim Tyrer P Jerrel Wilson Chiefs seasons right horizontal The Chiefs topped the Raiders in the 1969 AFL championship game (left) and went on to defeat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV (right). left 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 49 - Robert Holmes.jpg 140 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 50 - Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp.jpg 140 The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs season was the team's tenth, their seventh in Kansas City, and the final season of the American Football League (AFL). It resulted in an 11–3 regular season record and three postseason road victories, including a 23–7 victory in Super Bowl IV over the NFL's heavily favored Minnesota Vikings. The Chiefs were the second AFL team to win the Super Bowl and last AFL team to do so before the AFL-NFL Merger in the following season. After two close losses to division rival Oakland in the regular season, the visiting Chiefs upset the Raiders in the final AFL Championship Game, claiming their third AFL title. The Chiefs were led by head coach Hank Stram, quarterback Len Dawson, and a powerful defense led by Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, Emmitt Thomas, Johnny Robinson, and Curley 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.The Best Show in Football:The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p.294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, 978-1-58979-360-6 Kansas City also ranked second in the AFL in total offense and first in rushing offense.1969 AFL Standings & Team Stats https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1969_AFL/#all_team_stats January 1, 1994 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 a sports gambling ring. Back-up quarterback Mike Livingston and the Chiefs' stellar defense led the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl, this time, to win it all. Along with owner Lamar Hunt, nine future Hall of Famers were members of the 1969 Chiefs, including QB Len Dawson, LB Willie Lanier, LB Bobby Bell, DT Buck Buchanan, DT Curley Culp, CB Emmitt Thomas, S Johnny Robinson, K Jan Stenerud, and head coach Hank Stram. In 2006, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs were ranked as the 18th greatest Super Bowl champions on the NFL Network's documentary America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, with team commentary from Len Dawson, Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch, and narrated by Martin Sheen.America's Game: The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs https://web.archive.org/web/20070101123933/http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/12/07/americas_game_1969_kansas_city_chiefs/ January 1, 2007 KCChiefs.com December 7, 2006. In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1969 Chiefs as the seventh-greatest defense in NFL history,The List: Best NFL defense of all-time 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 champion Jets in the AFL divisional playoff game at Shea 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 the Raiders during the regular season, the Chiefs allowed a single touchdown, in the first quarter, to win the AFL title over Oakland 17–7. The Chiefs defense then stifled the Vikings 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 until Super Bowl LIV in the 2019 season. 3 Offseason 1969 AFL draft 1969 NFL/AFL draft In the first round of the 1969 AFL draft, the Chiefs selected cornerback Jim Marsalis from Tennessee State. Marsalis became an immediate starter at cornerback alongside veteran Emmitt Thomas. He was the only Chiefs rookie to start for the 1969 team, as Ed Podolak and Bob Stein were benched, and Morris Stroud and Jack Rudnay sat out the season with injuries. 1969 Kansas City Chiefs DraftRound Selection Player Position College Notes 1 23 Jim Marsalis Defensive back Tennessee State 2 48 Ed Podolak Running back Iowa 3 61 Traded to Denver from Boston 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 from Oakland 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 Personnel Staff 1969 Kansas City Chiefs Founder – Lamar Hunt Executive vice-president and general manager – Jack Steadman Head coach – Hank Stram Offensive backfield - John Beake Offensive ends – Darrel Brewster Offensive line – Bill Walsh Defensive backs - Tom Bettis Defensive assistant – Tommy O'Boyle Defensive line – Tom Pratt Roster 1969 Kansas City Chiefs 40 6 4 16 Len Dawson 12 Tom Flores 10 Mike Livingston 21 Mike Garrett 38 Wendell Hayes 45 Robert Holmes  6 Warren McVea 14 Ed Podolak 25 Frank Pitts SE 30 Gloster Richardson FL 89 Otis Taylor FL 84 Fred Arbanas 32 Curtis McClinton 71 Ed Budde G 60 George Daney G 73 Dave Hill T 55 E. J. Holub C 76 Mo Moorman G 65 Remi Prudhomme C 77 Jim Tyrer T 87 Aaron Brown DE 86 Buck Buchanan DT 61 Curley Culp DT 82 Ed Lothamer DT 75 Jerry Mays DE 74 Gene Trosch DE 78 Bobby Bell OLB 85 Chuck Hurston OLB 63 Willie Lanier MLB 51 Jim Lynch OLB 66 Bob Stein MLB 24 Caesar Belser SS 46 Jim Kearney SS 40 Jim Marsalis CB 22 Willie Mitchell CB 42 Johnny Robinson FS 20 Goldie Sellers CB 18 Emmitt Thomas CB  3 Jan Stenerud K 44 Jerrel Wilson P 80 Reggie Carolan TE (IR) 7px 23 Bert Coan RB (IR) 7px 70 Clanton King T (NF-Ill.) 7px 15 Jacky Lee QB (IR) 7px 23 Paul Lowe RB (IR) 7px 58 Jack Rudnay C (IR) 7px 35 Richard Armstrong RB  7 John Huarte QB 81 Mickey McCarty TE 88 Morris Stroud TE Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap 1 August 2, 1969 vs. Oakland Raiders W 23–17 1–0 Legion Field (Birmingham) 21,000 Recap 2 August 9, 1969 Detroit Lions W 38–13 2–0 Municipal Stadium 38,000 Recap 3 August 16, 1969 vs. Cincinnati Bengals W 23–7 3–0 Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (Jackson) 24,513 Recap 4 August 23, 1969 at Los Angeles Rams W 42–14 4–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 58,306 Recap 5 August 29, 1969 at St. Louis Cardinals W 31–21 5–0 Busch Memorial Stadium 48,006 Recap 6 September 6, 1969 Atlanta Falcons W 14–10 6–0 Municipal Stadium 37,273 Recap Regular season The Chiefs began the regular season with four consecutive road games for the only time in team history, due to a scheduling conflict with the Kansas City Royals about usage of Municipal Stadium.Chiefs History: 1960's https://web.archive.org/web/20070421185300/http://www.kcchiefs.com/history/60s/ April 21, 2007 KCChiefs.com, retrieved January 1, 2007. After a decisive 27–9 win at San Diego (9/14), the club posted a 31–0 shutout at Boston (9/21), but QB Len 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 QB Jacky 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 QB Mike Livingston, who took just five snaps as a rookie in ‘68. However, Livingston engineered a five-game winning streak, while getting plenty of help from the club's defense. The team's home opener at Municipal Stadium was played in a daylong deluge referred to as a "frog-strangler" by Chiefs radio broadcaster Bill Grigsby. The Chiefs and Oilers combined for 14 fumbles in a 24–0 Kansas City victory (10/12). 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 coach Lou 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 LB Bobby 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). Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap 1 September 14 at San Diego Chargers W 27–9 1–0 San Diego Stadium 47,988 Recap 2 September 21 at Boston Patriots W 31–0 2–0 Alumni Stadium 22,002 Recap 3 September 28 at Cincinnati Bengals L 19–24 2–1 Nippert Stadium 27,812 Recap 4 October 5 at Denver 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 at Buffalo 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 at New 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, 1969 at Oakland Raiders L 6–10 11–3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,443 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Regular season game summaries Week 1 (Sunday, September 14, 1969): at San Diego Chargers Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary September 14 3:00 p.m. CDT Chiefs 3 10 7 7 Chargers 3 0 6 0 San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California 47,988 70 F C Bob Finley NBC Jay Randolph and George Ratterman Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 35-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. SD – Dennis Partee 50-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3. Third quarter SD – John Hadl 9-yard run (kick failed). Chiefs 13–9. KC – Otis Taylor 55-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 20–9. Fourth quarter KC – Otis Taylor 9-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–9. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 19/34, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT SD – John Hadl – 16/29, 224 yards, 4 INT Top rushers KC – Robert Holmes – 14 rushes, 58 yards SD – Marty Domres – 1 rush, 12 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD SD – Lance Alworth – 4 receptions, 94 yards Week 2 (Sunday, September 21, 1969): at Boston Patriots Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Boston Patriots – Game summary September 21 12:30 p.m. CDT Chiefs 14 7 10 0 Patriots 0 0 0 0 Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 22,002 54 F C John McDonough NBC Jay Randolph and George Ratterman Recap First quarter KC – Mike Garrett 22-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. KC – Otis Taylor 16-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0. Second quarter KC – Mike Garrett 4-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–0. Third quarter KC – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 16-yard field goal. Chiefs 31–0. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 12/20, 140 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT BOS – Mike Taliaferro – 12/23, 77 yards Top rushers KC – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 79 yards, TD BOS – Jim Nance – 7 rushes, 22 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 58 yards, TD BOS – Carl Garrett – 5 receptions, 20 yards Week 3 (Sunday, September 28, 1969): at Cincinnati Bengals Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary September 28 12:30 p.m. CDT Chiefs 6 7 0 6 Bengals 7 3 0 14 Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio 27,812 55 F C Walt Fitzgerald NBC Jay Randolph and Elmer Angsman Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 16-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 41-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0. CIN – Eric Crabtree 17-yard pass from Greg Cook (Horst Mühlmann kick). Bengals 7–6. Second quarter KC – Gloster Richardson 11-yard pass from Jacky Lee (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 13–7. CIN – Horst Mühlmann 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–10. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter CIN – Bob Trumpy 80-yard pass from Sam Wyche (Horst Mühlmann kick). Bengals 17–13. CIN – Jess Phillips 10-yard run (Horst Mühlmann kick). Bengals 24–13. KC – Wendell Hayes 10-yard run (run failed). Bengals 24–19. Top passers KC – Mike Livingston – 9/17, 99 yards CIN – Sam Wyche – 9/14, 128 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Robert Holmes – 17 rushes, 77 yards CIN – Jess Phillips – 11 rushes, 58 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 72 yards CIN – Bob Trumpy – 4 receptions, 100 yards, TD Week 4 (Sunday, October 5, 1969): at Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary October 5 3:00 p.m. CDT Chiefs 3 6 3 14 Broncos 0 3 0 10 Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado 50,564 55 F C Ben Dreith Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. Second quarter DEN – Bobby Howfield 13-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 12-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 54-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–3. Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 11-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–3. Fourth quarter KC – Warren McVea 12-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 19–3. KC – Jim Kearney 60-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 26–3. DEN – Bobby Howfield 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 26–6. DEN – Al Denson 22-yard pass from Pete Liske (Bobby Howfield kick). Chiefs 26–13. Top passers KC – Mike Livingston – 14/27, 214 yards DEN – Pete Liske – 13/22, 149 yards, TD, INT Top rushers KC – Mike Garrett – 13 rushes, 67 yards DEN – Floyd Little – 13 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 71 yards DEN – Floyd Little – 8 receptions, 70 yards Week 5 (Sunday, October 12, 1969): vs. Houston Oilers Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 5: Houston Oilers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 12 3:00 p.m. CDT Oilers 0 0 0 0 Chiefs 14 10 0 0 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 45,805 56 F C Jack Reader NBC Bill Enis and Elmer Angsman Recap First quarter KC – Mike Garrett 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. KC – George Daney 5-yard fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 30-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–0. KC – Robert Holmes 33-yard pass from Tom Flores (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–0. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers HOU – Pete Beathard – 10/35, 110 yards, 5 INT KC – Mike Livingston – 8/15, 61 yards, INT Top rushers HOU – Hoyle Granger – 14 rushes, 21 yards KC – Warren McVea – 10 rushes, 67 yards Top receivers HOU – Jim Beirne – 4 receptions, 47 yards KC – Robert Holmes – 4 receptions, 58 yards, TD Week 6 (Sunday, October 19, 1969): vs. Miami Dolphins Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 6: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 19 12:30 p.m. CDT Dolphins 0 0 3 7 Chiefs 7 10 0 0 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 49,809 58 F C Bob Finley NBC Jim Simpson and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter KC – Robert Holmes 14-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter KC – Mike Garrett 9-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 44-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–0. Third quarter MIA – Karl Kremser 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–3. Fourth quarter MIA – Mercury Morris 9-yard run (Karl Kremser kick). Chiefs 17–10. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 21/45, 192 yards, 3 INT KC – Mike Livingston – 17/34, 308 yards, TD, INT Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 10 rushes, 31 yards KC – Warren McVea – 9 rushes, 38 yards Top receivers MIA – Larry Seiple – 6 receptions, 71 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 4 receptions, 131 yards Week 7 (Sunday, October 26, 1969): vs. Cincinnati Bengals Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 7: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 26 3:00 p.m. CST Bengals 0 12 7 3 Chiefs 7 14 7 14 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 50,934 53 F C Ben Dreith NBC Jay Randolph and Elmer Angsman Recap First quarter KC – Wendell Hayes 4-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter CIN – Horst Mühlmann 35-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3. KC – Robert Holmes 27-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–3. CIN – Bob Trumpy 59-yard pass from Sam Wyche (Horst Mühlmann kick). Chiefs 14–10. CIN – KC fumble recovery endzone for a Safety. Chiefs 14–12. KC – Gloster Richardson 10-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–12. Third quarter KC – Mike Garrett 10-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–12. CIN – Harry Gunner 70-yard interception return (Horst Mühlmann kick). Chiefs 28–19. Fourth quarter CIN – Horst Mühlmann 27-yard field goal. Chiefs 28–22. KC – Warren McVea 80-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 35–22. KC – Goldie Sellers 21-yard special teams fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 42–22. Top passers CIN – Sam Wyche – 11/21, 154 yards, TD KC – Mike Livingston – 15/25, 208 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers CIN – Sam Wyche – 3 rushes, 32 yards KC – Warren McVea – 17 rushes, 141 yards, TD Top receivers CIN – Bob Trumpy – 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD KC – Mike Garrett – 5 receptions, 101 yards, TD Week 8 (Sunday, November 2, 1969): at Buffalo Bills Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Game summary November 2 12:30 p.m. CST Chiefs 0 3 3 23 Bills 7 0 0 0 War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York 45,844 57 F C Jack Vest NBC Jim Simpson and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter BUF – Marlin Briscoe 14-yard pass from Dan Darragh (Bruce Alford kick). Bills 7–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Bills 7–3. Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 34-yard field goal. Bills 7–6. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–7. KC – Jan Stenerud 44-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–7. KC – Jan Stenerud 18-yard field goal. Chiefs 15–7. KC – Mike Garrett 34-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 22–7. KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 29–7. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 7/14, 94 yards BUF – Dan Darragh – 10/25, 132 yards, TD, 4 INT Top rushers KC – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 71 yards, 2 TD BUF – Wayne Patrick – 12 rushes, 66 yards Top receivers KC – Frank Pitts – 4 receptions, 70 yards BUF – Haven Moses – 2 receptions, 43 yards Week 9 (Sunday, November 9, 1969): vs. San Diego Chargers Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary November 9 3:00 p.m. CST Chargers 3 0 0 0 Chiefs 0 10 10 7 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 51,982 57 F C Bob Finley NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter SD – Dennis Partee 25-yard field goal. Chargers 3–0. Second quarter KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 30-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3. Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3. KC – Frank Pitts 50-yard pass from Warren McVea (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 20–3. Fourth quarter KC – Warren McVea 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–3. Top passers SD – Marty Domres – 10/32, 132 yards, 5 INT KC – Len Dawson – 17/24, 169 yards, 3 INT Top rushers SD – Russ Smith – 8 rushes, 30 yards KC – Mike Garrett – 9 rushes, 46 yards, TD Top receivers SD – Rick Eber – 3 receptions, 66 yards KC – Frank Pitts – 4 receptions, 99 yards, TD Week 10 (Sunday, November 16, 1969): at New York Jets Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets – Game summary November 16 12:30 p.m. CST Chiefs 10 10 7 7 Jets 3 7 0 6 Shea Stadium, New York, New York 63,849 35 F C Ben Dreith NBC Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote Recap First quarter KC – Otis Taylor 18-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 21-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–0. NYJ – Jim Turner 10-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3. Second quarter NYJ – George Sauer 40-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick). Tied 10–10. KC – Otis Taylor 7-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–10. KC – Jan Stenerud 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 20–10. Third quarter KC – Warren McVea 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–10. Fourth quarter KC – Otis Taylor 10-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 34–10. NYJ – Don Maynard 10-yard pass from Joe Namath (run failed). Chiefs 34–16. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 23/38, 285 yards, 3 TD, INT NYJ – Joe Namath – 24/40, 327 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Top rushers KC – Warren McVea – 15 rushes, 102 yards, TD NYJ – Emerson Boozer – 6 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 7 receptions, 96 yards, 3 TD NYJ – Don Maynard – 9 receptions, 137 yards, TD Week 11 (Sunday, November 23, 1969): vs. Oakland Raiders Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 11: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary November 23 3:00 p.m. CST Raiders 3 14 10 0 Chiefs 7 10 0 7 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 51,982 47 F C John McDonough NBC Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote Recap First quarter OAK – George Blanda 10-yard field goal. Raiders 3–0. KC – Warren McVea 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–3. Second quarter KC – Otis Taylor 31-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–3. OAK – George Atkinson 22-yard interception return (George Blanda kick). Chiefs 14–10. KC – Jan Stenerud 14-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–10. OAK – Warren Wells 22-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (Geoge Blanda kick). Tied 17–17. Third quarter OAK – George Blanda 14-yard field goal. Raiders 20–17. OAK – Dan Conners 75-yard interception return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 27–17. Fourth quarter KC – Frank Pitts 42-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Raiders 27–24. Top passers OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 9/24, 142 yards, TD KC – Len Dawson – 13/24, 269 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT Top rushers OAK – Hewritt Dixon – 16 rushes, 82 yards KC – Robert Holmes – 14 rushes, 80 yards Top receivers OAK – Warren Wells – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 103 yards, TD Week 12 (Thursday, November 27, 1969): vs. Denver Broncos Thanksgiving Day games Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 12: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary November 27, 1969 12:30 p.m. CST Broncos 0 3 0 14 Chiefs 3 14 0 14 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 48,773 38 F C Jack Reader NBC Charlie Jones and Elmer Angsman Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 16-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. Second quarter KC – Warren McVea 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–0. DEN – Bobby Howfield 42-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3. KC – Warren McVea 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–3. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter KC – Emmitt Thomas 45-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–3. DEN – Fran Lynch 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Chiefs 24–10. DEN – Wandy Williams 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Chiefs 24–17. KC – Bobby Bell 53-yard kickoff return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 31–17. Top passers DEN – Steve Tensi – 12/33, 179 yards, 2 INT KC – Len Dawson – 5/6, 95 yards Top rushers DEN – Fran Lynch – 12 rushes, 65 yards, TD KC – Mike Garrett – 20 rushes, 88 yards Top receivers DEN – John Embree – 3 receptions, 72 yards KC – Fred Arbanas – 2 receptions, 67 yards Week 13 (Sunday, December 7, 1969): vs. Buffalo Bills Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 13: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary December 7 3:00 p.m. CST Bills 3 3 10 6 Chiefs 7 6 3 6 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 47,112 34 F C Jack Vest NBC Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote Recap First quarter BUF – Bruce Alford 16-yard field goal. Bills 3–0. KC – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–3. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 52-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 8-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3. Third quarter BUF – Bruce Alford 34-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–6. KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–6. BUF – Marlin Briscoe 17-yard pass from Jack Kemp (Bruce Alford kick). Chiefs 16–13. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal. Chiefs 19–13. BUF – O. J. Simpson 32-yard run (pass failed). Tied 19–19. KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 22–19. Top passers BUF – Jack Kemp – 18/32, 165 yards, TD KC – Mike Livingston – 13/23, 142 yards Top rushers BUF – O. J. Simpson – 11 rushes, 62 yards, TD KC – Mike Garrett – 18 rushes, 67 yards Top receivers BUF – Bobby Crockett – 4 receptions, 50 yards KC – Mike Garrett – 4 receptions, 43 yards Week 14 (Saturday, December 13, 1969): at Oakland Raiders Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary December 13, 1969 3:00 p.m. CST Chiefs 0 0 0 6 Raiders 0 3 0 7 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California 54,443 55 F C Jack Reader NBC Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote Recap First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter OAK – George Blanda 30-yard field goal. Raiders 3–0. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter OAK – Charlie Smith 8-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick). Raiders 10–0. KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (run failed). Raiders 10–6. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 2/6, 47 yards OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 11/20, 188 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 71 yards OAK – Marv Hubbard – 6 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers KC – Robert Holmes – 2 receptions, 47 yards OAK – Warren Wells – 1 reception, 72 yards Standings Postseason Schedule Round Date Opponent Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap Divisional December 20, 1969 at New York Jets W 13–6 1–0 Shea Stadium 62,977 Recap AFL Championship January 4 at Oakland 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 Playoff game summaries 1969 American Football League Divisional Playoffs (Saturday, December 20, 1969): at New York Jets Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse AFL Divisional Playoffs: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets – Game summary December 20, 1969 12:30 p.m. CST Chiefs 0 3 3 7 Jets 3 0 0 3 Shea Stadium, New York, New York 62,977 33 F C Jack Reader NBC Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote Recap First quarter NYJ – Jim Turner 27-yard field goal. Jets 3–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 23-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–3. Fourth quarter NYJ – Jim Turner 7-yard field goal. Tied 6–6. KC – Gloster Richardson 19-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 13–6. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 12/27, 201 yards, TD NYJ – Joe Namath – 14/40, 169 yards, 3 INT Top rushers KC – Mike Garrett – 18 rushes, 67 yards NYJ – Matt Snell – 12 rushes, 61 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 2 receptions, 74 yards NYJ – George Sauer – 5 receptions, 66 yards In the 1969 AFL Divisional Playoff Game at the New 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. American Football League playoffs 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. 1969 American Football League Championship Game (Sunday, January 4, 1970): at Oakland Raiders 1969 American Football League Championship Game Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse AFL Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary January 4 3:00 p.m. CST Chiefs 0 7 7 3 Raiders 7 0 0 0 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California 54,443 45 F C Jack Vest NBC Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote Recap First quarter OAK – Charlie Smith 3-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 7–0. Second quarter KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter KC – Robert Holmes 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–7. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–7. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 7/17, 129 yards OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 15/39, 167 yards, 3 INT Top rushers KC – Wendell Hayes – 8 rushes, 35 yards, TD OAK – Hewritt Dixon – 12 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 62 yards OAK – Charlie Smith – 8 receptions, 86 yards 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 when Charlie Smith scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter. But then, Len Dawson who had thrown seven incompletions in a row, hit Frank 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 to Otis Taylor. That play was the key to a 94-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard scoring run by Robert Holmes. The Chiefs turned the ball over inside their own 30 three times in the fourth quarter, but each time they intercepted Raider quarterback Daryle Lamonica, who was playing despite having severely jammed his throwing hand against the helmet of Aaron Brown early in the final period. Chiefs go to Super Bowl IV and win to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7. Super Bowl IV (Sunday, January 11, 1970): vs. (NFL) Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl IV Kansas City Chiefs 1969 2; text-align:center autocollapse Super Bowl IV: Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary January 11 2:30 p.m. CST Vikings 0 0 7 0 Chiefs 3 13 7 0 Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana 80,562 55 F C John McDonough CBS Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Frank Gifford and Jack Whitaker Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 48-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–0. KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 16–0. Third quarter MIN – Dave Osborn 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Chiefs 16–7. KC – Otis Taylor 46-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 23–7. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers MIN – Joe Kapp – 16/25, 183 yards KC – Len Dawson – 12/17, 142 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Bill Brown – 6 rushes, 26 yards KC – Mike Garrett – 11 rushes, 39 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – John Henderson – 7 receptions, 111 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 81 yards, TD The fourth annual AFL-NFL Championship Game, now officially known as the "Super Bowl", was played on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the NFL champion Minnesota 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 kicker Jan 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.)Dawson, "Super Bowl IV" 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 quarterback Len Dawson threw a 20-yard completion to wide receiver Frank Pitts, followed by a 9-yard pass to wide receiver Otis Taylor. Four plays later, on the first play of the second quarter, a pass interference penalty on Vikings defensive back Ed 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 cornerback Earsell 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 receiver John Henderson fumbled the ball after catching a 16-yard reception, and Chiefs defensive back Johnny Robinson recovered the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line. But the Vikings made key defensive plays. First defensive tackle Alan Page tackled running back Mike Garrett for a 1-yard loss, and then safety Paul 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. Quarterback Joe 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 punter Bob 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 tackle Jim Marshall sacked Dawson for an 8-yard loss by on the first play of the drive, but then a 13-yard run by running back Wendell Hayes and a 10-yard reception by Taylor gave the Chiefs a first down at the 4-yard line. Two plays later, running back Mike 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 coach Hank Stram was wearing a microphone for NFL Films, making him the first person to ever do that. 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 tackle Buck Buchanan for an 8-yard loss. Then on fourth down, kicker Fred 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 fullback Dave 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 lineman Aaron 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 the Vince Lombardi Trophy due to Lombardi's death and the AFL-NFL Merger. Honors & Awards AFL All-Star Game The Chiefs sent nine players to the American Football League All-Star game to represent the AFL West.1969 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/kan/1969.htm 2025-03-07 Pro-Football-Reference.com en Bobby Bell Buck Buchanan Ed Budde Curley Culp Len Dawson Robert Holmes Willie Lanier Mike Livingston Jim Marsalis Jim Tyrer References External links 1969 Kansas City Chiefs at Pro-Football-Reference.com 1969 Kansas City Chiefs at ProFootballArchives.com 1969 Kansas City Chiefs at jt-sw.com American Football League champion 1969 New York Jets1968 Final champion Category:Kansas City Chiefs seasons Category:American Football League championship seasons Category:Super Bowl champion seasons Kansas City Chiefs Kansas