Fansided

10 greatest Kansas City Chiefs of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 11: Len Dawson
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 11: Len Dawson /
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BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 1, 1967: Defensive lineman Bobby Bell #78 and runningback Gene Thomas #45 of the Kansas City Chiefs pour champagne as they celebrate in the lockeroom while runningback Curtis McClinton #32 (right) is interviewed after the AFL Championship Game on January 1, 1967 against the Buffalo Bills at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York. Head coach Hank Stram (in hat and overcoat) is pictured in the lower front. JV00330 (Photo by: John Vawter Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 1, 1967: Defensive lineman Bobby Bell #78 and runningback Gene Thomas #45 of the Kansas City Chiefs pour champagne as they celebrate in the lockeroom while runningback Curtis McClinton #32 (right) is interviewed after the AFL Championship Game on January 1, 1967 against the Buffalo Bills at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York. Head coach Hank Stram (in hat and overcoat) is pictured in the lower front. JV00330 (Photo by: John Vawter Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

5. OLB Bobby Bell

You get the sense that Bobby Bell could have played in any era throughout the history of the NFL. He was more than a pass rusher and could fit in to nearly any defense, be it at end or at outside linebacker. Regardless of where he was on the field, his versatility in terms of getting after the quarterback and also dropping into coverage was as good as it’s ever been seen in pro football.

The former University of Minnesota product wasn’t a first-round draft choice by either the NFL or AFL. But that was also the days of fewer teams in the leagues. The Vikings chose him 17th overall (2nd round) and the Chiefs waited a little longer, tabbing him in the seventh round and at No. 56.

Bell opted for the latter and never missed a game in a dozen seasons. He finished with 26 interceptions and returned six of those thefts for scores. He also recovered nine opponent’s fumbles and took back two of those turnovers for touchdowns.

Sacks were not an official NFL statistic in terms of individual numbers at the times but the 1983 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee made his impact there as well. And of course, he was a member of the Chiefs’ overpowering defense that throttled the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.

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