Remembering Abner Haynes

Abner Haynes, a truly superb running back, the first AFL most valuable player and a member of the Dallas Texans’ 1962 AFL title team, died yesterday at age 86.

Two notes, yes that one, regarding that season and a post from February 2023 in which Mr. Haynes talks about the boycott of an AFL All-Star game held in New Orleans as the Black players were denied equal treatment and access.

That ’62 season was the Texans’ last as they became the Kansas City Chiefs a year later.

Haynes famously said “we will kick to the clock before the first overtime, costing Dallas possession and the benefit of a prevailing win, in the eventual 6 quarter win for his team, decided by Tommy Brooker’s field goal.

He was quite a player and “stand up” man. I regret never meeting him but that is the way it “go.”

Click below for the previous post that ends with reflections of Abner Haynes.

• K.C./Houston Notes on February 26, 2023