Contrasting Chiefs’ Crowns

There is quite a contrast in the two Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl crowns which are fifty years apart.

In winning the title in 1969, the Chiefs had to win two AFL road playoff games, first at New York vs the defending champion Jets and then at Oakland against a Raiders team that finished ahead of them in the AFL West.

Next K.C. a double digit underdog, won the fourth Supe defeating the Minnesota Vikings, who are (0-4) in such games.

This season K.C. had the road to the title largely “paved,” first avoiding a wild card round game, which also meant no game at New England vs the defending champion Patriots, when Miami upset New England in the final regular season tilt.

Subsequently, the Chiefs avoided New England altogether, when Tennessee “Saturday nighted” the Pats, played at home vs “not so hot” Houston and overcame a (24-0) deficit, to gain a spot in the AFC title tilt.

They got more help from Tennessee the night before their comeback win vs the Houston Texans, when the Titans (Tennessee), upset the top ranked Baltimore Ravens.

You know the rest, down 10 points but at home, they beat Tennessee and again down 10, they overcame the San Francisco 49ers, as slight Super Bowl favorites.

A highly skilled, well coached Chiefs’ team was very good, but also very lucky, (most title winners do need both elements) to win it all.

Left to right coach Hank Stram and receiver Gloster Richardson of the 1969 champion Chiefs.

Mr. Stram called being backed up deep in your own territory ” being in the soup.”

On a cold day at Shea Stadium, at a key juncture in the playoff game vs the Jets, Len Dawson threw deep and completed a pass to Gloster Richardson, getting the Chiefs “out of the soup,” in the first of 3 ‘offs wins en route to the “Supe” title.