Len Dawson, a name synonymous with excellence in professional football, left an indelible mark on the NFL as a Hall of Fame quarterback and later as a respected broadcaster. Known for his leadership on the field, Dawson’s remarkable career with the Kansas City Chiefs, including a Super Bowl IV victory, cemented his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his era. But Dawson’s influence extended beyond the gridiron; his transition into broadcasting made him a familiar voice to millions of fans. This article delves into Len Dawson’s net worth, examining how his achievements in football and media contributed to his financial success and enduring legacy.
Len Dawson’s Net Worth in 2025
The debut of the professional career of this man was in 1957 and lasted till 1975. In May 1976, announcing his formal retirement from professional football, he left the field of football as a player for the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. The net valuables of this wealthy retired professional player are $10 million. The success of his glorious football career pushed him to make a lot of money and become a millionaire. Most of the segments of the belongings of his prosperous life are from the earnings of his football career. In his post-retirement life, he also earned a lot.
Family and Education Life
Len Dawson took the first step into the world on June 20, 1935, in Alliance, Ohio. The full name of this man is Leonard Ray Dawson. He is the son of his father, James Dawson, and his mother, Annie Dawson. His parents had the eleventh child, and he is the seventh son of seven sons, born the ninth of 11 children overall.
| Birth: | June 20, 1935, Alliance, Ohio, United States |
| Full Name: | Leonard Ray Dawson |
| Profession: | Football Player |
| Father Name: | James Dawson |
| Mother Name: | Annie Dawson |
| College Education: | Purdue University |
| Wife/Girlfriend: | Linda Louise |
| Nationality: | American |
| Achievements: |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 inches |
| Jersey Number: | 16, 18 |
| Weight: | 86 Kg |
| Current Age: | 86 |
He passed the high school stage of his football career at Alliance High School in Alliance, Ohio. In his school life, he got the honor of being outstanding Ohio back of the year. He also set a record as the first athlete in 13 years to be named first-team all-state.
At his college stage of football, he went to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. At the time of his studies at this college, he represented the Purdue Boilermakers, football team. His college career lasted from 1953 to 1956.
Who did Len Dawson play for?
During his professional career, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs. In the 1957 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers took him 5th overall in the 1st round. From 1957 to 1959, he played for this team. In 1959, through a trade deal, he became part of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a member of this team until 1961. From 1962 to 1975, he was a member of the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs.
I don’t think they made shiny logo shields in Len Dawson’s playing days pic.twitter.com/6ZeOInCvHc
— Certified Sports Cards (Max) (@certifiedcards) January 14, 2022
He missed the golden part of his career with the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. With his outstanding performance during his tenure with this team, he led the team to the title of Super Bowl champions IV in 1070. He was the golden part of his team.
Gaining from the Football Career
Len Dawson furnished his wall of achievements with awards, titles, recognition, records, and so many successes. He was a glorified part of the Super Bowl champion IV’s victory. He was the Super Bowl MVP IV. In 1973, he was the NFL Man of the Year. He won the honor of being in the Pro Bowl in 1971. He became the NFL’s completion percentage leader in 1975. For the three times, he was a celebrated part of the AFL champions in 1962, 1966, and 1969. He became the AFL MVP in 1962. In 1962 and 1966, he was named to the All-AFL first team.
In those two seasons, he inserted his name on the second-team All-AFL roster in 1964 and 1968. He was an AFL All-Star in 1962, 1964, and from 1966 to 1969, a total of six times. He became the AFL’s passing touchdown leader in 1962, 1963, 1966, and 1967, four times. From 1964 to 1968, he was the AFL passer rating leader for six straight months. He became the AFL completion percentage leader in 1962 and from 1964 to 1969, seven times. Len earned his place on the AFL All-Time Team.
He was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame. To show honor to him, jersey number 16 was retired by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was inducted as a player in 1987. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Len Dawson’s Career Stats (Details)
Len Dawson was a professional American football quarterback who played in the NFL and AFL, primarily for the Kansas City Chiefs. Below is a table summarizing his career stats:
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 19 (1957-1975) |
| Games Played | 211 |
| Passing Yards | 28,711 |
| Pass Completions | 2,136 |
| Pass Attempts | 3,741 |
| Completion % | 57.1 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 239 |
| Interceptions | 183 |
| Passer Rating | 82.6 |
| Rushing Yards | 1,293 |
| Rushing Attempts | 294 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 9 |
| Pro Bowls | 7 |
| Super Bowl Wins | 1 (IV) |
| AFL Championships | 3 (1962, 1966, 1969) |
Len Dawson’s Wife and Kids
In his personal life, Len Dawson is married to a man. He sat for his marriage twice in his life. For the first time, the spousal life of this well-known athlete was with his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Puzder. He made the contract with her in 1954. His wife died at the age of 42 after suffering from a series of strokes in 1978. Their conjugal life was blessed with two children. They are Lisa Anne, the daughter, and Len, Jr., the son.
After the death of his first wife, he gained a second wife, Linda Louise. With her, he lives in Kansas City. In 1991, Dawson was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Weight and Height
Len Dawson stands up to 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. From the first to last of his professional career, he ran after the ball on the field of football, playing in the quarterback position. Playing in this position, he turned out to be an asset to his team. With his satisfactory performance, he proved there was no alternative to him. Running in this position, he helped his team to gain success against the opponent, and he personally benefited. The throwing style of this man is right.
Broadcasting Career
After an illustrious football career, Len Dawson seamlessly transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a prominent figure in sports media. His deep understanding of the game and charismatic personality made him a natural on television. Dawson began his broadcasting career as a sports anchor for Kansas City’s KMBC-TV in 1966, even before retiring from professional football. After hanging up his cleats, he took on a more significant role, joining NBC as a color commentator for NFL games. His articulate commentary and insightful analysis quickly earned him respect in the industry. In 1977, Dawson became a co-host for the popular HBO show “Inside the NFL,” a position he held for more than two decades. His contributions to sports journalism were recognized in 2012 when he was honored with the prestigious Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s great voices.
Post-Retirement Ventures
Beyond broadcasting, Len Dawson remained actively engaged in various ventures post-retirement. He was a motivational speaker, sharing his journey and the lessons learned from his football career and personal experiences. Dawson also lent his name and efforts to numerous charitable endeavors, particularly those supporting heart disease research, as he had his battles with health issues. In addition, he invested in several business ventures in Kansas City, leveraging his local popularity and business acumen. His involvement in the community remained steadfast, often seen participating in local events and fundraisers, further solidifying his status as a beloved figure in Kansas City.
Is Len Dawson still alive?
Dawson is still alive and now lives in Kansas City with his wife and family. The age of this reputed professional is 86. He spared the light of his Excellency in the field of football, wearing the jersey of the 16 and 18. He did not wear any specific jerseys. All of the jerseys he wore in his career for several teams are still remember-able to his fans and the basketball-loving people of America. These numbers were the sign of this man.
Quotes
- On Perseverance: “You don’t get to be successful without overcoming obstacles, without facing challenges, and without sometimes getting knocked down. But it’s the getting back up that defines a champion.”
- On Football and Life: “Football taught me about teamwork, dedication, and the importance of hard work. These are lessons that apply not just on the field but in every aspect of life.”
- On His Broadcasting Career: “I was fortunate to play the game I loved, and then I got to talk about it. I couldn’t have asked for a better second career.”
- On Legacy: “It’s not about the accolades or the awards. It’s about how you’ve treated people, how you’ve given back, and how you’re remembered by those who knew you.”
- On Community: “Kansas City has been more than just a place I played football; it’s been my home. And being able to give back to the community that gave me so much has been one of my greatest joys.”
