1972 Kansas City Chiefs season

1972 Kansas City Chiefs season
Head coach Hank Stram
Home field Arrowhead Stadium
Results
Record 8–6
Division place 2nd AFC West
Playoff finish did not qualify
Pro Bowlers WR Otis Taylor
LB Willie Lanier
LB Bobby Bell
CB Emmitt Thomas
P Jerrel Wilson

The 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season began with the Chiefs moving into the newly constructed Arrowhead Stadium and ended with an 8–6 record and second-place finish in the AFC West.

The Chiefs introduced the newly completed Arrowhead Stadium to the general public. The last original member of the 1960 Dallas Texans team departed on July 12 when safety Johnny Robinson announced his retirement at training camp. Meanwhile, starting quarterback Len Dawson ended speculation about his retirement by signing a two-year contract. Franchise owner Lamar Hunt became the first AFL figure to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 29.[1]

After two different construction strikes and a myriad of other delays, Arrowhead Stadium was officially dedicated on August 12, when the Chiefs registered a 24–14 preseason victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Running back Ed Podolak scored the first touchdown in the facility. Regular season ticket prices for the team's first season at Arrowhead were USD$8 for box seats and $7 for reserved seating.[1]

On September 17, the Chiefs lost a 20–10 decision against Miami (the first win in Miami's perfect season) in the first official game at the new Arrowhead Stadium, in front of a crowd of 79,829.[1] A standing-room-only crowd of 82,094 was in attendance for a 27–14 victory against Oakland on November 5, the largest "in-house" attendance total for an NFL contest in Arrowhead's history.[1] After a 5–3 start, a three-game losing streak effectively eliminated the club from playoff contention. An 8–6 record was good enough for only a second-place finish in the AFC West behind Oakland. Linebacker Willie Lanier became the first Chiefs player to receive the prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award in the offseason.[1]

In week six, the Chiefs dropped a shocking 21-20 decision at home to the lowly Philadelphia Eagles, who came in 0-5 and would win only once more (also a one-point victory over the Houston Oilers, who finished 1-13). It would be the last time the Chiefs and Eagles played until 1992, and Kansas City would not visit Philadelphia until 1998.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1972 NFL Draft
Round Pick Player Position School/club team

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 17, 1972 Miami Dolphins L 20–10
79,829
2 September 25, 1972 at New Orleans Saints W 20–17
70,793
3 October 1, 1972 at Denver Broncos W 45–24
51,656
4 October 8, 1972 at Cleveland Browns W 31–7
83,819
5 October 15, 1972 Cincinnati Bengals L 23–16
79,068
6 October 22, 1972 Philadelphia Eagles L 21–20
78,389
7 October 29, 1972 at San Diego Chargers W 26–14
54,533
8 November 5, 1972 Oakland Raiders W 27–14
82,094
9 November 12, 1972 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–7
50,350
10 November 19, 1972 San Diego Chargers L 27–17
79,011
11 November 26, 1972 at Oakland Raiders L 26–3
54,801
12 December 3, 1972 Denver Broncos W 24–21
66,725
13 December 10, 1972 Baltimore Colts W 24–10
44,175
14 December 17, 1972 at Atlanta Falcons W 17–14
58,850

Standings

AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Oakland Raiders 10 3 1 .750 3–2–1 7–3–1 365 285 W6
Kansas City Chiefs 8 6 0 .571 4–2 6–5 287 254 W3
Denver Broncos 5 9 0 .357 2–4 4–6 325 350 W2
San Diego Chargers 4 9 1 .321 2–3–1 4–6–1 264 344 L3

References

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