Len Dawson

High school

Alliance High School

College

Purdue University

Pro team(s)

Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs

Hall of Fame

⭐ Pro Football Hall of Fame

Len Dawson was born and raised in Alliance, Ohio, where he starred at Alliance High School before going to Purdue. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957, Dawson spent five frustrating years on the bench for Pittsburgh and Cleveland before the AFL gave him a second chance. With the Dallas Texans (later Kansas City Chiefs) and coach Hank Stram, Dawson blossomed into an elite quarterback — winning the AFL Championship in 1962 and Super Bowl IV, where he threw for 142 yards and a touchdown and was named the game's MVP. Cool, precise, and virtually turnover-free in big moments, Dawson led the Chiefs to two Super Bowls. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.