The Kansas City Chiefs community woke up on Wednesday to news that the legendary Len Dawson had passed away.
A 14-year career between the AFL and NFL set Dawson in the franchise annals as the team’s premier player at the quarterback position. No one had been able to hold a candle to Dawson’s accomplishments with the team until Patrick Mahomes became the team’s starting quarterback in 2018.
From one iconic quarterback to another, Mahomes paid tribute to Dawson with a touching message on Twitter.
“RIP to the legend Len Dawson,” Mahomes wrote. “The legacy and impact you made on Kansas City will live on forever. Prayers to his family.”
RIP to the legend Len Dawson. The legacy and impact you made on Kansas City will live on forever. Prayers to his family 🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/AKMhxoUFYH
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) August 24, 2022
Dawson set the standard for quarterback success in Kansas City, holding basically every meaningful passing record in franchise history. It’s a standard that Patrick Mahomes has strived for and touched himself in his young career.
Mahomes sat down with Dawson and Mitch Holthus when he broke Dawson’s single-season passing touchdown record back in 2018.
“Mr. Dawson is the backbone of this organization,” Mahomes said. “He brought a Super Bowl. So for me to kind of try and carry on that tradition, hopefully, bring another Super Bowl back to Chiefs Kingdom, is something I most strive to do.”
“We’re going to hold you to that,” Dawson said. “I love that.”
Mahomes would go on to lead the team to their first Super Bowl title in 50 seasons in Super Bowl LIV, accomplishing something that only Dawson had done before him. When Mahomes says that Dawson’s legacy will live on forever, he’s one of those who are tasked with keeping it alive as he continues to follow in his footsteps.
