Abner Haynes, an iconic running back and Chiefs Hall of Famer, has died at 86. He was a pioneer in integrated college football and a star in the early days of the AFL.
Bollywood Fever: Abner Haynes, a star running back from the early days of the American Football League (AFL) who still holds several Kansas City Chiefs records, passed away on Thursday in Dallas at the age of 86. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt expressed his condolences to the Haynes family, describing Abner as a “man of courage and leadership.”
“My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes,” Hunt said. “Abner was one of the first great stars of the Dallas Texans and the American Football League.”
Haynes made history at North Texas State (now the University of North Texas), where he and teammate Leon King became the first black players to join an integrated college football team in Texas.
Haynes began his professional career with the then-Dallas Texans, choosing the new AFL over the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. In the AFL’s inaugural season, he led the league in rushing with 875 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, a record that still stands as the Chiefs’ franchise rookie record. His stellar performance earned him both the AFL’s Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.
In 1962, Haynes led the AFL in total yards from scrimmage with 1,622, playing a pivotal role in securing the team’s league championship. He spent five years with the organization, three in Dallas and two after the team moved to Kansas City.
A member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame, Haynes is one of only 10 players to have their number retired by the team. He holds multiple franchise records, including the most touchdowns in a game (five) and the most rushing touchdowns in a game (four).
Haynes’ legacy as a trailblazer and a football icon will be remembered by the Chiefs organization and fans alike.
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