The 10 most underrated players in Kansas City Chiefs history
By Matt Conner
Most underrated players in Kansas City Chiefs history
5. Ed Budde, offensive line
Ed Budde is everything the Kansas City Chiefs could have wanted when they selected him in the first round at No. 8 overall in the 1968 AFL Draft. Despite also being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFL’s draft, Budde chose the Chiefs and made himself at home along the offensive line for each of the next 14 years.
Somehow league-wide recognition has not yet reached Budde, but it’s not because he remains some under-the-radar performer. Even during his career, he was highly decorated as an interior lineman with seven Pro Bowl or AFL All-Star awards and a Super Bowl championship under his belt. He was an ironman who didn’t miss a single game for nearly a decade. He’s also a member of the AFL’s All-Time team and Chiefs Hall of Fame. Interesting note: Budde was the first offensive lineman ever named Offensive Player of the Week by the Associated Press.
Somehow the hallowed halls of Canton have yet to come calling, but again and again we come back to this ongoing disrespect for the AFL. Len Dawson will testify that so much of his success is due to the strong blocking he had up front.