Stram

Chiefs coach Hank Stram led his team to a win in Super Bowl IV, which was the final game in the 10-year history of the AFL before it completely merged with the NFL.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

Stram found an able triggerman for his offense in 1962 by throwing a lifeline to quarterback Len Dawson, who had been stagnating in the NFL.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

In the decade between the Texans 'first game and what remains the Chiefs' only Super Bowl win, the club reeled off an AFL-best 87 victories, won a league-record three titles and developed half a dozen Hall of Famers, all while bringing innovation and integration to the gridiron, much of it courtesy of coach Hank Stram.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

Thompson also remembers what it was like to play against the Kansas City Chiefs, coached by Hank Stram, and the San Diego Chargers, under Sid Gillman.

Broncos couldn't put a sock in 'second-class' days in AFL 2009

"A lot of my skills had eroded after not playing for five years," says Dawson, who also had been recruited by Stram to play at Purdue.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

"That was coach Stram, whether he was wired or not," Bell says of the famous play call.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

But even though Stram and a revitalized Dawson helped engineer a successful title run in 1962 — the Texans knocked off the two-time champion Houston Oilers 20-17 in overtime — the club left Dallas, to the dismay of many players, according to Dawson.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

(Hunt and Stram also are in the Hall.) "He didn't care what color you were," Bell says of Stram.

Chiefs were the toast of the AFL ... after they left Dallas 2009

Now he goes into the hall with Stram and five other players from KC's Super Bowl team — Bell, Dawson, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan and Jan Stenerud.

Veterans committee lifted Thomas to shrine he never expected to see 2008

During the rigorous practices Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram liked to conduct, Len Dawson would use Thomas as the gold standard for cornerbacks.

Veterans committee lifted Thomas to shrine he never expected to see 2008