Best Kansas City Chiefs Draft Picks in History by Round

By John Viril | May 8, 2014

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Willie Lanier – Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

MLB-Willie Lanier, 2nd round 1967 (50th overall), Morgan St.-– Willie Lanier is not only one of the great players in NFL history, he was also a trail blazer for African-American athletes. Lanier was the first black middle-linebacker in NFL history, which was then considered the “brains” of the defense.

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Other players considered: franchise icon Lanier was the clear choice, but I do want to mention HOF DT Bob Lilly (Dallas) in 1961 and franchise hero RB Joe Delaney 1981.

The Chiefs actually chose fellow Chiefs Hall-of Famer Jim Lynch ahead of Lanier in the ’67 draft. Lynch, who had played for the famed program at Notre Dame, also played middle linebacker and was white. But, he chose to play in a college All-Star game and missed two weeks of camp. By the time he arrived, Willie Lanier had seized the starting middle linebacker spot.

Hank Stram never regretted the decision.

Lanier started fot the Chiefs for 11 seasons, made 8 consecutive Pro-Bowls, and 3 1st team All-Pro teams. Lanier keyed the middle of KC defense in Super Bowl IV and helped dominate the Vikings in the greatest victory in franchise history.

“They’re not going to score!” The line that defined Willie Lanier’s HOF career.

There were so many great moments in Lanier’s career, but one stands out above all others. Late in the 1969 divisional championship game, the 1968 Super Bowl Champion Jets got a 1st down on the KC 1-yard line on a pass interference call. Playing in New York with the Chiefs leading 6-3, Lanier screamed to his teammates in the huddle, “They’re not going to score!”

The Chiefs held the Jets to a field goal, and scored a touchdown on their following possession to win 13-6.

Lanier also played in the longest game in NFL history, Kansas City’s double overtime loss to the Dolphins on Christmas Day 1971.

In 1978 Willie Lanier was traded to the Baltimore Colts, but retired before training camp.

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