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Best Kansas City Chiefs Draft of All-Time: 1963

By John Viril

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Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf entertains fans during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

DT-Buck Buchanan, 1st round (1st overall), Grambling—with the first pick after moving the franchise to Kansas City, the Chiefs took Buck Buchanan. Coached at Grambling State University by famed head coach Eddie Robinson, Buchanan was a NAIA All-American in 1962. Robinson called Buck Buchanan:

"the best lineman I have seen."

Buck Buchanan was a historic pick. Not only was he the first player drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, he was the first African-American player ever to be taken no. 1 overall by any professional football league.

Buck Buchanan was the first African-American player ever to be taken no. 1 overall by any professional football league.

Buchanan didn’t disappoint. All he did was play in 8 pro-bowls and make 4 first-team All-pro teams in his 13 year career. Buchanan was selected for the Chiefs Hall-of-Fame in 1981, the Alabama Sports Hall-of-Fame in 1987, and the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame in 1990. The team has since retired his no. 86 jersey.

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The 6’7″ 289lb. Buchanan was an intimidating force in the middle of Kansas City’s defense during the 60’s and early 70’s. He ran a 4.9 40-yard dash while at Grambling State, and combined speed with devastating strength. In 1967, Buchanan batted down 16 passes at the line of scrimmage.

In Kansas City’s Super Bowl IV victory over Minnesota, Buchanan paired with fellow NFL Hall-of-Fame tackle Curley Culp to demolish Vikings All-pro center Mick Tingelhoff.

In 1999, The Sporting News picked Buchanan at no. 67 on its list of 100 Greatest Football Players.

Buck Buchanan passed away in 1992, at age 51, from lung cancer.

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