Super Bowl IV
Encyclopedia
Super Bowl IV was the fourth AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football
, and the second one (after Super Bowl III
) to officially bear the name "Super Bowl
". This was the final AFL-NFL World Championship Game before the National Football League
(NFL) and the American Football League
(AFL) merged
into one league after the season.
The game was played on a wet Sunday January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium
in New Orleans, Louisiana
. This was the first Super Bowl played without the standard week off after the conference championship games (league championship games at the time). Strangely enough, the AFL had a week off between its divisional playoffs (the NFL played its conference championship games during the AFL's off-week) and league championship game. The AFL started its 1969 season a week earlier than the NFL, and thus had an extra week to prepare for the Super Bowl. This would be the last Super Bowl played without the week off until Super Bowl XVII
.
The underdog AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs
(11-3) defeated the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings
(12-2), 23–7. Even though the Vikings were 12.5 to 13-point favorites, the Chiefs defense dominated the game by limiting the Minnesota offense to only 67 rushing yards, forcing three interceptions, and recovering two fumbles. This victory by the AFL squared the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece.
Kansas City's Len Dawson
became the fourth consecutive winning quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP
. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. Dawson also recorded three rushing attempts for 11 yards.
, entered the game with an NFL best 12-2 regular season record, leading the older league in total points scored (379) and fewest points allowed (133). They had scored 50 or greater points in three different games. They lost their first and last games of the season, but in between had 12 straight victories, the longest single-season winning streak in 35 years. Their defense, considered the most intimidating in the NFL, was anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the "Purple People Eaters
", consisting of defensive tackles Gary Larsen
and Alan Page
, and defensive ends Carl Eller
and Jim Marshall
. The secondary was led by defensive backs Bobby Bryant
(8 interceptions, 97 return yards), Earsell Mackbee
(6 interceptions, 100 return yards), and Paul Krause
(5 interceptions, 82 return yards, 1 touchdown).
On offense, quarterback Joe Kapp
was known for his superb leadership and his running ability, both throwing on the run and running for extra yards. And when Kapp did take off and run, instead of sliding when he was about to be tackled like most quarterbacks, he lowered his shoulder and went right at the tackler. This style of play earned him the nickname "Indestructible". In the NFL Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns
, he collided with linebacker Jim Houston
while running for a first down, and Houston had to be helped off the field after the play ended. Also, Kapp was known for being an extremely unselfish leader: when he was voted the Vikings Most Valuable Player, he turned the award down and said that every player on the team was equally valuable.
Running back Dave Osborn
was the team's top rusher with 643 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 236 yards and another touchdown. In the passing game, Pro Bowl
wide receiver Gene Washington
averaged 21.1 yards per catch by recording 821 yards and nine touchdowns from 39 receptions. Wide receiver John Henderson
caught 34 passes for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Vikings' offensive line was anchored by Pro Bowlers Grady Alderman
and Mick Tingelhoff
.
Meanwhile, it seemed that the Chiefs, led by head coach Hank Stram
, and especially quarterback Len Dawson
, were jinx
ed throughout the year. In the second game of the regular season, Dawson suffered a knee injury that kept him from playing the next six games. However, back-up quarterback Mike Livingston of Southern Methodist University fame engineered five wins of the next six starts, with Dawson coming off the bench in the second half of the sixth to clinch the win. The Chiefs managed to finish in second place behind the Oakland Raiders
in the AFL's Western Division, but only after suffering a tough 10-6 loss to Oakland in the final game of the regular season. After that game, many sports writers and fans heavily criticized the team and Dawson for the poor play calling (Dawson called between 80 and 90 percent of the plays during the season).
The Chiefs still managed to clinch a playoff spot. Wanting to set itself up more like the NFL right before the merger, the AFL expanded the playoffs for the 1969 season, by having the second place teams from each division face the first place teams from the other division (Western Champion vs. Eastern Runner-Up, and vice versa). As a result of the new playoff format, many critics thought the Chiefs entered the playoffs through a "back-door" as the runner up in the Western division. But Dawson silenced the critics and led Kansas City to a strong finish in the playoffs, defeating the defending champion Jets in New York, 13-6 in the Divisional Playoffs, and defeating the Raiders 17-7 in the AFL Championship Game, thus essentially making the Chiefs the first wild card
team to play in the Super Bowl. (Dawson says he thinks both the Jets and the Raiders could have beaten the Vikings.)
Still, many people felt that Dawson's level of play in the AFL was not comparable to the NFL. Dawson himself had spent 5 seasons in the NFL as a backup before going to the AFL and becoming one of its top quarterbacks. "The AFL saved my career," said Dawson. In his 8 AFL seasons, he had thrown more touchdown passes (182) than any other professional football quarterback during that time. But because many still viewed the AFL as being inferior to the NFL, his records were not considered significant. Dawson's first chance to prove himself against an NFL team ended in failure, with his Chiefs losing 35-10 in Super Bowl I
, reinforcing the notion that his success was only due to playing in the "inferior league".
Offensively, the Chiefs employed innovative formations and strategies designed by Stram to disrupt the timing and positioning of the defense. Besides Dawson, the Chiefs main offensive weapon was running back Mike Garrett
(1965 Heisman Trophy
winner), who rushed for 732 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also recorded 43 receptions for 432 yards and another 2 touchdowns. Running back Robert Holmes
had 612 rushing yards, 266 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. In the passing game, wide receiver Otis Taylor
caught 41 passes for 696 yards and 7 touchdowns. The offensive line was anchored by AFL All-Stars
Ed Budde
and Jim Tyrer
. According to Len Dawson, placekicker Jan Stenerud and punter Jerrel Wilson were the best kickers in football.
The Chiefs defense led the AFL in fewest points allowed (177). Like the Vikings, the Chiefs also had an outstanding defensive line, which was led by defensive tackles Buck Buchanan
and Curley Culp
, and defensive ends Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown. The Chiefs also had AFL All-Star linebacker Willie Lanier
, who recorded 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery during the season. The Kansas City secondary was led by defensive backs Emmitt Thomas
(9 interceptions for 146 return yards and a touchdown), and Johnny Robinson (8 interceptions for 158 return yards).
won Super Bowl III
at the end of the previous season, many were convinced that it was a fluke. They continued to believe that all of the NFL teams were far and away superior to all of the AFL teams.
Super Bowl IV provided another chance to show that Dawson belonged at the same level with all of the great NFL quarterbacks. But five days before the Super Bowl, news leaked that his name had been linked to a Detroit
federal gambling investigation. Although Dawson was eventually cleared of any charges, the controversy added to the pressure he was already under while preparing for the game, causing him to lose sleep and concentration. "It was, beyond a doubt, the toughest week of my life," said Dawson.
The night before the game, Ed Sabol of NFL Films met with Stram and convinced Stram to wear a hidden microphone during the game so his comments could be recorded for the NFL Films Super Bowl IV film. They agreed the microphone would be kept secret. This would be the first time that a head coach had worn a microphone during a Super Bowl.
by CBS
with play-by-play announcer Jack Buck
and color commentator
s Pat Summerall
and Frank Gifford
. While the game was sold out at Tulane Stadium, unconditional blackout
rules in both leagues prohibited the live telecast from being shown in the New Orleans area.
Trumpet
ers Al Hirt
and Doc Severinsen
"faced off" during the pregame show in a "Battle of the Horns". A planned hot-air balloon race fizzled when the balloon marked NFL and carrying a "Viking" lifted off prematurely, failed to gain altitude, and crashed into the stands in the end zone. Hirt later performed the national anthem, while actress and singer Carol Channing
was featured during the halftime show that paid tribute to Mardi Gras
in New Orleans.
Super Bowl IV film is one of the best-known and most popular of the NFL Films Super Bowl films due to the constant chatter and wisecracking of Hank Stram. Some excerpts include:
, who was also the team's offensive coordinator, devised an effective game plan against the Vikings. He knew the Vikings' secondary was able to play very far off receivers because Viking defensive ends Carl Eller
and Jim Marshall
knocked down short passes or put pressure on the quarterback. Stram decided to double-team Marshall and Eller; most of Dawson's completions would be short passes, and neither Marshall nor Eller knocked down any passes. Stram also concluded that the Vikings' aggressiveness on defense also made them susceptible to trap plays; Mike Garrett
's rushing touchdown would come on a trap play. The Chiefs routinely played a 3-4 defense, common in the AFL but rare in the NFL. The Vikings' inside running game depended on center Mick Tingelhoff
blocking linebackers. Stram put 285 pound Buck Buchanan
or 295 pound Curley Culp
in front of Tingelhoff, who weighed only 235 pounds. To the Vikings credit, the NFL used the so-called light "greyhound" centers whle the AFL used big centers. It was a mismatch that disrupted the Vikings' running game. Wrote Dawson, "It was obvious that their offense had never seen a defense like ours." The Vikings would rush for only two first downs.
The Vikings began the game by receiving the opening kickoff and marching from their own 20-yard line to the Kansas City 39-yard line, but were forced to punt. The Chiefs then drove 42 yards in eight plays to score on placekicker Jan Stenerud
's Super Bowl record 48-yard field goal. (According to Dawson, the Vikings were shocked that the Chiefs would attempt a 48-yard field goal. Stenerud was among the first soccer-style placekickers in professional football. The others included brothers Charlie and Pete Gogolak. The soccer-style placekickers used the instep of the foot while the conventional professional football placekicker kicked straight on with their toes. "Stenerud was a major factor," he said.) Minnesota then managed to reach midfield on their next drive, but were forced to punt again.
On the first play of their ensuing drive, Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson
threw a 20-yard completion to wide receiver Frank Pitts
, followed by a 9-yard pass to wide receiver Otis Taylor
. Four plays later, on the first play of the second quarter, a pass interference penalty on Vikings defensive back Ed Sharockman
nullified Dawson's third down incompletion and gave Kansas City a first down at the Minnesota 31-yard line. However on third down and 4 at the 25-yard line, Vikings cornerback Earsell Mackbee broke up a deep pass intended for Taylor. Stenerud then kicked another field goal to increase the Chiefs lead to 6-0.
On the second play of their next drive, Vikings wide receiver John Henderson
fumbled the ball after catching a 16-yard reception, and Chiefs defensive back Johnny Robinson recovered the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line. But the Vikings made key defensive plays. First defensive tackle Alan Page
tackled running back Mike Garrett
for a 1-yard loss, and then safety Paul Krause
intercepted Dawson's pass at the 7-yard line on the next play.
However, the Vikings also could not take advantage of the turnover. Viking quarterback Joe Kapp
's two incompletions and a delay of game penalty forced Minnesota to punt from their own 5-yard line. The Chiefs then took over at the Viking 44-yard line after punter Bob Lee
's kick traveled only 39 yards. A 19-yard run by Pitts on an end around play that fooled the overaggressive, overpursuing Viking defense to set up another field goal attempt by Stenerud to increase the Chiefs' lead to 9-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Vikings returner Charlie West
fumbled the football, and Kansas City's Remi Prudhomme
recovered it at Minnesota 19-yard line. ("That was a key, key play," said Dawson.) Defensive end Jim Marshall
sacked Dawson for an 8-yard loss by on the first play of the drive; however, a 13-yard run by running back Wendell Hayes
and a 10-yard reception by Taylor gave the Chiefs a first down at the Viking four yard line. Two plays later, running back Mike Garrett
's five yard touchdown run on a trap play gave Kansas City a 16-0 lead. This play is forever known as the 65 toss power trap.
West returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the 32-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Kapp completed a 27-yard pass to Henderson to advance the ball to the Kansas City 41-yard line. However, the next three plays, Kapp threw 2 incompletions and was sacked by Chief defensive tackle Buck Buchanan
for an eight yard loss. On fourth down, kicker Fred Cox
's 56-yard field goal attempt fell way short of the goal posts.
In the third quarter, the Vikings managed to build momentum. After forcing the Chiefs to punt on their opening possession of the second half, Kapp completed four consecutive passes for 47 yards and rushed for 7 as Minnesota drove 69 yards in 10 plays to score on fullback Dave Osborn
's four yard rushing touchdown, reducing the lead to 16-7. However, Kansas City responded on their next possession with a six play, 82-yard drive to score on Dawson's 46-yard catch and run touchdown completion to Taylor three minutes later. Taylor caught the ball at the Minnesota 41-yard line, broke Earsell Mackbee
's tackle, raced down the sideline, broke through Vikings' safety Karl Kassulke
's tackle and scored the clinching touchdown.
The Vikings were demoralized after the game breaking touchdown and the Chiefs' defense would continue to shut down the Vikings in the fourth quarter, forcing three interceptions on three Minnesota possessions to clinch the 23-7 victory. The defeat was total for the Vikings, as even their "Indestructible" quarterback Joe Kapp had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Chiefs defensive lineman Aaron Brown. Kapp was replaced by Gary Cuozzo
. Fittingly, the Vikings' final play was an interception Cuozzo threw to Thomas.
Kansas City running back and future University of Southern California Athletic Director Mike Garrett, the 1965 Heismann Trophy recipient was the top rusher of the game, recording 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 25 yards and returned a kickoff for 18 yards. Taylor was the Chiefs' leading receiver with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Kapp finished the game with 16 of 25 completions for 183 yards, with two costly interceptions. Henderson was the top receiver of the game with seven catches for 111 yards. The Chiefs defense had completely shut down Minnesota's vaunted rushing attack. In the NFL championship game, Osborn had rushed for 108 yards while Kapp rushed for 57. But in Super Bowl IV, the two rushed for a combined total of 24 yards. In addition, Kansas City's secondary held Minnesota all pro receiver Gene Washington to one reception for 9 yards.
Referring to the Vikings' three interceptions, three fumbles, and six penalties, Vikings safety Karl Kassulke said, "We made more mental mistakes in one game than we did in one season."
Note: A seven-official system was not used until 1978
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, and the second one (after Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
) to officially bear the name "Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
". This was the final AFL-NFL World Championship Game before the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) and the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
(AFL) merged
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
into one league after the season.
The game was played on a wet Sunday January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium
Tulane Stadium
Tulane Stadium was an outdoor football stadium located in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1926 to 1980. Officially known as the Third Tulane Stadium, it replaced the "Second Tulane Stadium" where the Telephone Exchange Building is now located...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. This was the first Super Bowl played without the standard week off after the conference championship games (league championship games at the time). Strangely enough, the AFL had a week off between its divisional playoffs (the NFL played its conference championship games during the AFL's off-week) and league championship game. The AFL started its 1969 season a week earlier than the NFL, and thus had an extra week to prepare for the Super Bowl. This would be the last Super Bowl played without the week off until Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
.
The underdog AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(11-3) defeated the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
(12-2), 23–7. Even though the Vikings were 12.5 to 13-point favorites, the Chiefs defense dominated the game by limiting the Minnesota offense to only 67 rushing yards, forcing three interceptions, and recovering two fumbles. This victory by the AFL squared the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece.
Kansas City's Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
became the fourth consecutive winning quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. Dawson also recorded three rushing attempts for 11 yards.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings, led by head coach Bud GrantBud Grant
Harry Peter "Bud" Grant, Jr is the former longtime American football head coach of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League for eighteen seasons. Grant was the second and fourth head coach of the team...
, entered the game with an NFL best 12-2 regular season record, leading the older league in total points scored (379) and fewest points allowed (133). They had scored 50 or greater points in three different games. They lost their first and last games of the season, but in between had 12 straight victories, the longest single-season winning streak in 35 years. Their defense, considered the most intimidating in the NFL, was anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the "Purple People Eaters
Purple People Eaters
Purple People Eaters is a term for the defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. The term is a reference to a popular song from 1958, the superb efficiency of the defense, and the color of their uniforms...
", consisting of defensive tackles Gary Larsen
Gary Larsen
Gary Larsen was a defensive tackle in the NFL and played college football at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. He started his NFL career in 1964 with the Los Angeles Rams and then became a part of the famous Purple People Eaters for the Minnesota Vikings from 1965 through 1974...
and Alan Page
Alan Page
Alan Cedric Page is a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963, received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967, and received his J.D. from the University of...
, and defensive ends Carl Eller
Carl Eller
Carl Eller is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota...
and Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (American football)
James "Jim" Lawrence Marshall played college football at the Ohio State University. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns...
. The secondary was led by defensive backs Bobby Bryant
Bobby Bryant
Bobby Bryant was a cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings during the days of the Purple People Eaters . Bryant was a fierce competitor despite his size leading to the nickname "Bones"...
(8 interceptions, 97 return yards), Earsell Mackbee
Earsell Mackbee
Earsell Mackbee was a professional American football player.Mackbee was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and graduated from Utah State University, where he starred as a cornerback. He played 5 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings...
(6 interceptions, 100 return yards), and Paul Krause
Paul Krause
Paul James Krause is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League...
(5 interceptions, 82 return yards, 1 touchdown).
On offense, quarterback Joe Kapp
Joe Kapp
Joseph Robert Kapp is a former professional American and Canadian football quarterback. He is also a former college football head coach of the University of California, and a former general manager of the CFL's BC Lions. Kapp played primarily with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and the CFL's BC Lions...
was known for his superb leadership and his running ability, both throwing on the run and running for extra yards. And when Kapp did take off and run, instead of sliding when he was about to be tackled like most quarterbacks, he lowered his shoulder and went right at the tackler. This style of play earned him the nickname "Indestructible". In the NFL Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he collided with linebacker Jim Houston
Jim Houston
James Edward "Jim" Houston is a former American football linebacker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006....
while running for a first down, and Houston had to be helped off the field after the play ended. Also, Kapp was known for being an extremely unselfish leader: when he was voted the Vikings Most Valuable Player, he turned the award down and said that every player on the team was equally valuable.
Running back Dave Osborn
Dave Osborn
Dave Osborn is a former professional American football player who played running back for twelve seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers....
was the team's top rusher with 643 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 236 yards and another touchdown. In the passing game, Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
wide receiver Gene Washington
Gene Washington (Vikings)
Eugene Washington is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos . He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.-College career:...
averaged 21.1 yards per catch by recording 821 yards and nine touchdowns from 39 receptions. Wide receiver John Henderson
John Henderson (wide receiver)
John William Henderson is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings . He started in Super Bowl IV for the Vikings and was the games leading receiver with 7 catches for 111 yards....
caught 34 passes for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Vikings' offensive line was anchored by Pro Bowlers Grady Alderman
Grady Alderman
Grady Alderman was an offensive lineman who played sixteen seasons in the NFL. He played most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, and he played in three Super Bowls and was selected to five Pro Bowls...
and Mick Tingelhoff
Mick Tingelhoff
Henry Michael "Mick" Tingelhoff is a former football center who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1962-1978.-College career:...
.
Kansas City Chiefs
Hank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
, and especially quarterback Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
, were jinx
Jinx
A jinx, in popular superstition and folklore, is:* A type of curse placed on a person that makes them prey to many minor misfortunes and other forms of bad luck;...
ed throughout the year. In the second game of the regular season, Dawson suffered a knee injury that kept him from playing the next six games. However, back-up quarterback Mike Livingston of Southern Methodist University fame engineered five wins of the next six starts, with Dawson coming off the bench in the second half of the sixth to clinch the win. The Chiefs managed to finish in second place behind the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the AFL's Western Division, but only after suffering a tough 10-6 loss to Oakland in the final game of the regular season. After that game, many sports writers and fans heavily criticized the team and Dawson for the poor play calling (Dawson called between 80 and 90 percent of the plays during the season).
The Chiefs still managed to clinch a playoff spot. Wanting to set itself up more like the NFL right before the merger, the AFL expanded the playoffs for the 1969 season, by having the second place teams from each division face the first place teams from the other division (Western Champion vs. Eastern Runner-Up, and vice versa). As a result of the new playoff format, many critics thought the Chiefs entered the playoffs through a "back-door" as the runner up in the Western division. But Dawson silenced the critics and led Kansas City to a strong finish in the playoffs, defeating the defending champion Jets in New York, 13-6 in the Divisional Playoffs, and defeating the Raiders 17-7 in the AFL Championship Game, thus essentially making the Chiefs the first wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
team to play in the Super Bowl. (Dawson says he thinks both the Jets and the Raiders could have beaten the Vikings.)
Still, many people felt that Dawson's level of play in the AFL was not comparable to the NFL. Dawson himself had spent 5 seasons in the NFL as a backup before going to the AFL and becoming one of its top quarterbacks. "The AFL saved my career," said Dawson. In his 8 AFL seasons, he had thrown more touchdown passes (182) than any other professional football quarterback during that time. But because many still viewed the AFL as being inferior to the NFL, his records were not considered significant. Dawson's first chance to prove himself against an NFL team ended in failure, with his Chiefs losing 35-10 in Super Bowl I
Super Bowl I
The First AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, later known as Super Bowl I and referred to in some contemporary reports as the Supergame, was played on January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.The National Football League ...
, reinforcing the notion that his success was only due to playing in the "inferior league".
Offensively, the Chiefs employed innovative formations and strategies designed by Stram to disrupt the timing and positioning of the defense. Besides Dawson, the Chiefs main offensive weapon was running back Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
(1965 Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner), who rushed for 732 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also recorded 43 receptions for 432 yards and another 2 touchdowns. Running back Robert Holmes
Robert Holmes (American football)
Robert Holmes is a former American football running back who played collegiately at Southern University and professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs, and in the National Football League for the Chiefs, the Houston Oilers, and the San Diego Chargers...
had 612 rushing yards, 266 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. In the passing game, wide receiver Otis Taylor
Otis Taylor (American football)
Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs...
caught 41 passes for 696 yards and 7 touchdowns. The offensive line was anchored by AFL All-Stars
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
Ed Budde
Ed Budde
Edward Leon Budde , a product of Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan and later Michigan State University, was the number one draft pick of the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1963....
and Jim Tyrer
Jim Tyrer
James Efflo Tyrer was an American football offensive tackle in the American Football League for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
. According to Len Dawson, placekicker Jan Stenerud and punter Jerrel Wilson were the best kickers in football.
The Chiefs defense led the AFL in fewest points allowed (177). Like the Vikings, the Chiefs also had an outstanding defensive line, which was led by defensive tackles Buck Buchanan
Buck Buchanan
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League ....
and Curley Culp
Curley Culp
Curley Culp is a former professional American football player. An offensive and defensive lineman, he played college football at Arizona State University, was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion while at ASU, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs...
, and defensive ends Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown. The Chiefs also had AFL All-Star linebacker Willie Lanier
Willie Lanier
Willie Edward Lanier is a former American football middle-linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 through 1977. He won postseason honors for eight consecutive years, making the American Football League All-Star team in 1968 and 1969 before being selected to the Pro Bowl from...
, who recorded 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery during the season. The Kansas City secondary was led by defensive backs Emmitt Thomas
Emmitt Thomas
Emmitt Earl Thomas is currently the secondary coach of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. He is a former college and professional football player who played for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs from 1966 to 1969, and then for the Chiefs in the NFL from 1970 to 1978...
(9 interceptions for 146 return yards and a touchdown), and Johnny Robinson (8 interceptions for 158 return yards).
Super Bowl pregame news and notes
Many sports writers and fans fully expected that the Vikings would easily defeat the Chiefs. Although the AFL's New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
won Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
at the end of the previous season, many were convinced that it was a fluke. They continued to believe that all of the NFL teams were far and away superior to all of the AFL teams.
Super Bowl IV provided another chance to show that Dawson belonged at the same level with all of the great NFL quarterbacks. But five days before the Super Bowl, news leaked that his name had been linked to a Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
federal gambling investigation. Although Dawson was eventually cleared of any charges, the controversy added to the pressure he was already under while preparing for the game, causing him to lose sleep and concentration. "It was, beyond a doubt, the toughest week of my life," said Dawson.
The night before the game, Ed Sabol of NFL Films met with Stram and convinced Stram to wear a hidden microphone during the game so his comments could be recorded for the NFL Films Super Bowl IV film. They agreed the microphone would be kept secret. This would be the first time that a head coach had worn a microphone during a Super Bowl.
Television and entertainment
Super Bowl IV was broadcast in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
with play-by-play announcer Jack Buck
Jack Buck
John Francis "Jack" Buck was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, and is honored with a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame...
and color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
s Pat Summerall
Pat Summerall
George Allen "Pat" Summerall is a former American football player and television sportscaster, having worked at CBS, Fox, and ESPN.Summerall is best known for his work with John Madden on NFL telecasts for CBS and Fox.-High school:...
and Frank Gifford
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
. While the game was sold out at Tulane Stadium, unconditional blackout
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
rules in both leagues prohibited the live telecast from being shown in the New Orleans area.
Trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
ers Al Hirt
Al Hirt
Al Hirt was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He is best remembered for his million selling recordings of "Java", and the accompanying album, Honey in the Horn . His nicknames included 'Jumbo' and 'The Round Mound of Sound'...
and Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...
"faced off" during the pregame show in a "Battle of the Horns". A planned hot-air balloon race fizzled when the balloon marked NFL and carrying a "Viking" lifted off prematurely, failed to gain altitude, and crashed into the stands in the end zone. Hirt later performed the national anthem, while actress and singer Carol Channing
Carol Channing
Carol Elaine Channing is an American singer, actress, and comedienne. She is the recipient of three Tony Awards , a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination...
was featured during the halftime show that paid tribute to Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
in New Orleans.
Hank Stram Miked for Sound
The NFL FilmsNFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
Super Bowl IV film is one of the best-known and most popular of the NFL Films Super Bowl films due to the constant chatter and wisecracking of Hank Stram. Some excerpts include:
- Observing the confusion in the Vikings defense: "Look at Kassulke (Viking SS Karl Kassulke) out there, it looks like he's in a Chinese fire drill."
- Before the Chiefs' first touchdown, he sent in the play "65 toss power trap." When the Chiefs scored on the play, Stram laughed while yelling to his players on the bench, "Ha ha, 65 toss power trap! What'd I tell ya, boys? 65 toss power trap! Ha ha."
- One time, as the referees were spotting the ball before a measurement to determine if the Chiefs got a first down, Stram yelled to the officials, "You didn't mark it right! You didn't mark it right! C'mon." When the chains were stretched and the Chiefs indeed had the first down, Stram was then heard saying to the refs, "Ya did good, you're doing a fine job out there."
- On Otis Taylor's touchdown reception that clinched the game, Stram is heard yelling and laughing while Taylor is running to the end zone "Ha ha, go Otis, that a baby! Woo hoo!"
Game summary
Chiefs head coach Hank StramHank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
, who was also the team's offensive coordinator, devised an effective game plan against the Vikings. He knew the Vikings' secondary was able to play very far off receivers because Viking defensive ends Carl Eller
Carl Eller
Carl Eller is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota...
and Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (American football)
James "Jim" Lawrence Marshall played college football at the Ohio State University. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns...
knocked down short passes or put pressure on the quarterback. Stram decided to double-team Marshall and Eller; most of Dawson's completions would be short passes, and neither Marshall nor Eller knocked down any passes. Stram also concluded that the Vikings' aggressiveness on defense also made them susceptible to trap plays; Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
's rushing touchdown would come on a trap play. The Chiefs routinely played a 3-4 defense, common in the AFL but rare in the NFL. The Vikings' inside running game depended on center Mick Tingelhoff
Mick Tingelhoff
Henry Michael "Mick" Tingelhoff is a former football center who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1962-1978.-College career:...
blocking linebackers. Stram put 285 pound Buck Buchanan
Buck Buchanan
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League ....
or 295 pound Curley Culp
Curley Culp
Curley Culp is a former professional American football player. An offensive and defensive lineman, he played college football at Arizona State University, was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion while at ASU, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs...
in front of Tingelhoff, who weighed only 235 pounds. To the Vikings credit, the NFL used the so-called light "greyhound" centers whle the AFL used big centers. It was a mismatch that disrupted the Vikings' running game. Wrote Dawson, "It was obvious that their offense had never seen a defense like ours." The Vikings would rush for only two first downs.
The Vikings began the game by receiving the opening kickoff and marching from their own 20-yard line to the Kansas City 39-yard line, but were forced to punt. The Chiefs then drove 42 yards in eight plays to score on placekicker Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud is a former professional football player for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs , and the NFL's Chiefs , Green Bay Packers , and Minnesota Vikings .-Background:...
's Super Bowl record 48-yard field goal. (According to Dawson, the Vikings were shocked that the Chiefs would attempt a 48-yard field goal. Stenerud was among the first soccer-style placekickers in professional football. The others included brothers Charlie and Pete Gogolak. The soccer-style placekickers used the instep of the foot while the conventional professional football placekicker kicked straight on with their toes. "Stenerud was a major factor," he said.) Minnesota then managed to reach midfield on their next drive, but were forced to punt again.
On the first play of their ensuing drive, Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
threw a 20-yard completion to wide receiver Frank Pitts
Frank Pitts
Frank H. Pitts is a former professional American football wide receiver in the American Football League and the National Football League...
, followed by a 9-yard pass to wide receiver Otis Taylor
Otis Taylor (American football)
Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs...
. Four plays later, on the first play of the second quarter, a pass interference penalty on Vikings defensive back Ed Sharockman
Ed Sharockman
Edward Charles "Ed" Sharockman is a former professional American football defensive back.Sharockman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where he starred as a cornerback. He played 11 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings . He started in Super Bowl IV....
nullified Dawson's third down incompletion and gave Kansas City a first down at the Minnesota 31-yard line. However on third down and 4 at the 25-yard line, Vikings cornerback Earsell Mackbee broke up a deep pass intended for Taylor. Stenerud then kicked another field goal to increase the Chiefs lead to 6-0.
On the second play of their next drive, Vikings wide receiver John Henderson
John Henderson (wide receiver)
John William Henderson is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings . He started in Super Bowl IV for the Vikings and was the games leading receiver with 7 catches for 111 yards....
fumbled the ball after catching a 16-yard reception, and Chiefs defensive back Johnny Robinson recovered the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line. But the Vikings made key defensive plays. First defensive tackle Alan Page
Alan Page
Alan Cedric Page is a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963, received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967, and received his J.D. from the University of...
tackled running back Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
for a 1-yard loss, and then safety Paul Krause
Paul Krause
Paul James Krause is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League...
intercepted Dawson's pass at the 7-yard line on the next play.
However, the Vikings also could not take advantage of the turnover. Viking quarterback Joe Kapp
Joe Kapp
Joseph Robert Kapp is a former professional American and Canadian football quarterback. He is also a former college football head coach of the University of California, and a former general manager of the CFL's BC Lions. Kapp played primarily with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and the CFL's BC Lions...
's two incompletions and a delay of game penalty forced Minnesota to punt from their own 5-yard line. The Chiefs then took over at the Viking 44-yard line after punter Bob Lee
Bob Lee (American football)
Robert Melville Lee is a former professional American football player. He graduated from Lowell High School in 1963. Nicknamed "General" Bob Lee during a brief period of success with the Atlanta Falcons, Lee was selected in the 17th round by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1968 NFL Draft...
's kick traveled only 39 yards. A 19-yard run by Pitts on an end around play that fooled the overaggressive, overpursuing Viking defense to set up another field goal attempt by Stenerud to increase the Chiefs' lead to 9-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Vikings returner Charlie West
Charlie West
Charlie West is a former safety who played for three National Football League teams. He played in Super Bowl IV as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He also still holds the UTEP career record of 19 interceptions, including a school record four in one game...
fumbled the football, and Kansas City's Remi Prudhomme
Remi Prudhomme
Joseph Remi Prudhomme was an American football offensive lineman at Louisiana State University, where he was an All-American in 1964...
recovered it at Minnesota 19-yard line. ("That was a key, key play," said Dawson.) Defensive end Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (American football)
James "Jim" Lawrence Marshall played college football at the Ohio State University. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns...
sacked Dawson for an 8-yard loss by on the first play of the drive; however, a 13-yard run by running back Wendell Hayes
Wendell Hayes
Wendell Hayes is a former Professional Football running back. Wendell played college football at Humboldt State University...
and a 10-yard reception by Taylor gave the Chiefs a first down at the Viking four yard line. Two plays later, running back Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
's five yard touchdown run on a trap play gave Kansas City a 16-0 lead. This play is forever known as the 65 toss power trap.
West returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the 32-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Kapp completed a 27-yard pass to Henderson to advance the ball to the Kansas City 41-yard line. However, the next three plays, Kapp threw 2 incompletions and was sacked by Chief defensive tackle Buck Buchanan
Buck Buchanan
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League ....
for an eight yard loss. On fourth down, kicker Fred Cox
Fred Cox
Frederick William Cox is a former National Football League kicker who played for the Minnesota Vikings throughout his career . Fred was raised in Monongahela, PA, where his family owned a grocery store...
's 56-yard field goal attempt fell way short of the goal posts.
In the third quarter, the Vikings managed to build momentum. After forcing the Chiefs to punt on their opening possession of the second half, Kapp completed four consecutive passes for 47 yards and rushed for 7 as Minnesota drove 69 yards in 10 plays to score on fullback Dave Osborn
Dave Osborn
Dave Osborn is a former professional American football player who played running back for twelve seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers....
's four yard rushing touchdown, reducing the lead to 16-7. However, Kansas City responded on their next possession with a six play, 82-yard drive to score on Dawson's 46-yard catch and run touchdown completion to Taylor three minutes later. Taylor caught the ball at the Minnesota 41-yard line, broke Earsell Mackbee
Earsell Mackbee
Earsell Mackbee was a professional American football player.Mackbee was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and graduated from Utah State University, where he starred as a cornerback. He played 5 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings...
's tackle, raced down the sideline, broke through Vikings' safety Karl Kassulke
Karl Kassulke
Karl Otto Kassulke was a former professional American football player.Kassulke graduated from Drake University, where he starred as a safety. He played 10 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings...
's tackle and scored the clinching touchdown.
The Vikings were demoralized after the game breaking touchdown and the Chiefs' defense would continue to shut down the Vikings in the fourth quarter, forcing three interceptions on three Minnesota possessions to clinch the 23-7 victory. The defeat was total for the Vikings, as even their "Indestructible" quarterback Joe Kapp had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Chiefs defensive lineman Aaron Brown. Kapp was replaced by Gary Cuozzo
Gary Cuozzo
Gary Samuel Cuozzo was a former professional American football player. An undrafted quarterback from the University of Virginia, Cuozzo played in 10 NFL seasons from 1963-1972. He began his NFL career on the Baltimore Colts as a backup to Johnny Unitas...
. Fittingly, the Vikings' final play was an interception Cuozzo threw to Thomas.
Kansas City running back and future University of Southern California Athletic Director Mike Garrett, the 1965 Heismann Trophy recipient was the top rusher of the game, recording 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 25 yards and returned a kickoff for 18 yards. Taylor was the Chiefs' leading receiver with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Kapp finished the game with 16 of 25 completions for 183 yards, with two costly interceptions. Henderson was the top receiver of the game with seven catches for 111 yards. The Chiefs defense had completely shut down Minnesota's vaunted rushing attack. In the NFL championship game, Osborn had rushed for 108 yards while Kapp rushed for 57. But in Super Bowl IV, the two rushed for a combined total of 24 yards. In addition, Kansas City's secondary held Minnesota all pro receiver Gene Washington to one reception for 9 yards.
Referring to the Vikings' three interceptions, three fumbles, and six penalties, Vikings safety Karl Kassulke said, "We made more mental mistakes in one game than we did in one season."
Box score
| Quarter | Time | Team | Drive | Scoring Information | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Plays | Time | MIN | KC | ||||
| 1 | 6:52 | KC | 42 | 8 | 4:06 | FG: Jan Stenerud 48 yards | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 13:20 | KC | 55 | 8 | 4:48 | FG: Jan Stenerud 32 yards | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | 7:52 | KC | 27 | 4 | 2:13 | FG: Jan Stenerud 25 yards | 0 | 9 |
| 2 | 5:34 | KC | 19 | 6 | 1:47 | TD: Mike Garrett 5 yard run (Jan Stenerud kick) | 0 | 16 |
| 3 | 4:32 | MIN | 69 | 10 | 4:34 | TD: Dave Osborn 4 yard run (Fred Cox kick) | 7 | 16 |
| 3 | 1:22 | KC | 82 | 6 | 3:10 | TD: Otis Taylor 46 yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick) | 7 | 23 |
Final statistics
Source:The NFL's Official Encyclopedic History of Professional Football, (1973), p. 144, Macmillan Publishing Co. New York, NY, LCCN 73-3862Statistical comparison
| Minnesota Vikings | Kansas City Chiefs | |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 18 |
| First downs rushing | 2 | 8 |
| First downs passing | 10 | 7 |
| First downs penalty | 1 | 3 |
| Net yards rushing | 67 | 151 |
| Passes attempted | 28 | 17 |
| Passes completed | 17 | 12 |
| Interceptions-yards | 1-0 | 3-24 |
| Net yards passing | 172 | 122 |
| Total yards | 239 | 273 |
| Punts-average | 3-37.0 | 4-48.5 |
| Fumbles-lost | 3-2 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-yards | 6-67 | 4-47 |
Starting lineups
Source:| Kansas City | Position | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | ||
| Frank Pitts Frank Pitts Frank H. Pitts is a former professional American football wide receiver in the American Football League and the National Football League... |
WR | Gene Washington Gene Washington (Vikings) Eugene Washington is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos . He wore #84 for Minnesota and Denver.-College career:... |
| Jim Tyrer Jim Tyrer James Efflo Tyrer was an American football offensive tackle in the American Football League for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs... |
LT | Grady Alderman Grady Alderman Grady Alderman was an offensive lineman who played sixteen seasons in the NFL. He played most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, and he played in three Super Bowls and was selected to five Pro Bowls... |
| Ed Budde Ed Budde Edward Leon Budde , a product of Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan and later Michigan State University, was the number one draft pick of the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.... |
LG | Jim Vellone Jim Vellone James Carl "Jim" Vellone was a guard in the National Football League. Vellone spent his entire five-year career for the Minnesota Vikings, starting in most of his appearances during this span. Vellone helped the Vikings win the 1969 NFL Championship and also started in Super Bowl IV, the first... |
| E. J. Holub E. J. Holub Emil Joe Holub is a former American football center and linebacker in the American Football League and the National Football League . Collegiately, he played for Texas Technological College .-College:E.J. Holub graduated from Lubbock High School in 1957 and went on to attend Texas Technological... |
C | Mick Tingelhoff Mick Tingelhoff Henry Michael "Mick" Tingelhoff is a former football center who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1962-1978.-College career:... |
| Mo Moorman Mo Moorman Maurice "Mo" Moorman was an American college and professional football player. He played collegiately for Texas A&M, and went to the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs as a first-round draft choice in 1968... |
RG | Milt Sunde Milt Sunde Milton John Sunde was a guard in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings. Sunde attended the University of Minnesota.... |
| Dave Hill | RT | Ron Yary Ron Yary Anthony Ronald "Ron" Yary is a former professional American football offensive tackle, playing primarily for the Minnesota Vikings and also for the Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001... |
| Fred Arbanas Fred Arbanas Frederick Vincent Arbanas is an American former college and professional football player. Drafted out of Michigan State by the American Football League's Dallas Texans in 1961, he missed the 1961 season with injuries... |
TE | John Beasley John Beasley (football player) John Walter Beasley is a former professional American football player. A 6'3", . tight end from the University of California at Berkeley, Beasley was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1967 NFL Draft.... |
| Otis Taylor Otis Taylor (American football) Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs... |
WR | John Henderson John Henderson (wide receiver) John William Henderson is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings . He started in Super Bowl IV for the Vikings and was the games leading receiver with 7 catches for 111 yards.... |
| Len Dawson Len Dawson Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs... |
QB | Joe Kapp Joe Kapp Joseph Robert Kapp is a former professional American and Canadian football quarterback. He is also a former college football head coach of the University of California, and a former general manager of the CFL's BC Lions. Kapp played primarily with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and the CFL's BC Lions... |
| Mike Garrett Mike Garrett Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers... |
RB | Dave Osborn Dave Osborn Dave Osborn is a former professional American football player who played running back for twelve seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.... |
| Robert Holmes Robert Holmes (American football) Robert Holmes is a former American football running back who played collegiately at Southern University and professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs, and in the National Football League for the Chiefs, the Houston Oilers, and the San Diego Chargers... |
RB | Bill Brown |
| DEFENSE | ||
| Jerry Mays | LE | Carl Eller Carl Eller Carl Eller is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota... |
| Curley Culp Curley Culp Curley Culp is a former professional American football player. An offensive and defensive lineman, he played college football at Arizona State University, was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion while at ASU, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs... |
LDT | Gary Larsen Gary Larsen Gary Larsen was a defensive tackle in the NFL and played college football at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. He started his NFL career in 1964 with the Los Angeles Rams and then became a part of the famous Purple People Eaters for the Minnesota Vikings from 1965 through 1974... |
| Buck Buchanan Buck Buchanan Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League .... |
RDT | Alan Page Alan Page Alan Cedric Page is a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963, received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967, and received his J.D. from the University of... |
| Aaron Brown | RE | Jim Marshall Jim Marshall (American football) James "Jim" Lawrence Marshall played college football at the Ohio State University. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns... |
| Bobby Bell Bobby Bell Bobby Lee Bell, Sr is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.- High school career :He excelled in... |
LOLB | Roy Winston Roy Winston Roy Charles Winston is a former professional American football player.Roy Winston graduated from Louisiana State University, where he starred as an offensive guard... |
| Willie Lanier Willie Lanier Willie Edward Lanier is a former American football middle-linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 through 1977. He won postseason honors for eight consecutive years, making the American Football League All-Star team in 1968 and 1969 before being selected to the Pro Bowl from... |
MLB | Lonnie Warwick Lonnie Warwick Lonnie Warwick in Raleigh, West Virginia) is a former professional American football player. He played 10 seasons in the National Football League, with the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. He started in Super Bowl IV.... |
| Jim Lynch Jim Lynch James Robert Lynch is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire eleven-year professional career with the American Football League and National Football League Kansas City Chiefs.-Early years:... |
ROLB | Wally Hilgenberg Wally Hilgenberg Walter Hilgenberg was a professional American football player.Hilgenberg was born in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1942. His family moved to Wilton where he grew up and graduated from Wilton High School.... |
| Jim Marsalis Jim Marsalis James "Jim" Marsalis was a college and professional American football player. A star at Tennessee State, he played nine professional seasons as a cornerback from 1969-1977... |
LCB | Earsell Mackbee Earsell Mackbee Earsell Mackbee was a professional American football player.Mackbee was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and graduated from Utah State University, where he starred as a cornerback. He played 5 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings... |
| Emmitt Thomas Emmitt Thomas Emmitt Earl Thomas is currently the secondary coach of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs. He is a former college and professional football player who played for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs from 1966 to 1969, and then for the Chiefs in the NFL from 1970 to 1978... |
RCB | Ed Sharockman Ed Sharockman Edward Charles "Ed" Sharockman is a former professional American football defensive back.Sharockman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where he starred as a cornerback. He played 11 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings . He started in Super Bowl IV.... |
| Jim Kearney Jim Kearney James Lee Kearney is a former American football safety who played twelve seasons in the National Football League and the American Football League from 1965-1976. He started in Super Bowl IV for the Kansas City Chiefs. In 1972 he tied an NFL record by returning four interceptions for touchdowns. ... |
SS | Karl Kassulke Karl Kassulke Karl Otto Kassulke was a former professional American football player.Kassulke graduated from Drake University, where he starred as a safety. He played 10 seasons in the National Football League, all with the Minnesota Vikings... |
| Johnny Robinson | FS | Paul Krause Paul Krause Paul James Krause is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League... |
Officials
- Referee: John McDonough (AFL) #11
- Umpire: Lou PalazziLou PalazziLouis Joseph Palazzi was an American football player who later officiated from 1952 through 1981 as an umpire in the National Football League...
(NFL) #51 - Head Linesman: Harry Kessel (AFL) #73
- Line Judge: Bill Schleibaum (NFL) #28
- Field Judge: Charlie Musser (AFL) #55
- Back Judge: Tom Kelleher (NFL) #25
Note: A seven-official system was not used until 1978