The 10 most underrated players in Kansas City Chiefs history
By Matt Conner
Most underrated players in Kansas City Chiefs history
6. Jim Lynch, linebacker
It’s hard to stand out when you play nearly your entire career alongside heavyweight defenders like Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier, but there’s no good reason for the lack of any real spotlight on Jim Lynch, especially when he was also so important for the Chiefs early success.
Lynch was captain and leading tackler for the Notre Dame defenses of 1965 and ’66, the latter of which won the national championship. Lynch was named the Maxwell Award winner as the best player in college football and the Chiefs would select him in the second round of the 1967 draft.
Lynch was slow to start for the Chiefs his rookie season (only 3 starts in 14 games), but became a fixture at the position for the next ten seasons in ’68. Together with Bell and Lanier, the heart of the Chiefs defense became one of the most feared defensive units in team history and helped the team win their first Super Bowl in ’69.
Despite showing strong himself as a very strong coverage linebacker with 17 career picks, Lynch was overshadowed by teammates even during his playing days with only one AFL All-Star nod to show for his efforts. He is a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame, however, and those in the know rightfully include Lynch right alongside the more popular defenders in Chiefs history.