Chiefs HOF RB Abner Haynes, 1960 AFL MVP, Dies At 86

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes, a star running back and returner in the 1960s, passed away Thursday at age 86 in Dallas, Texas.

Abner Haynes chose to play for the Kansas City Chiefs after being picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1960 NFL draft

Haynes was selected 55th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1960 NFL draft out of North Texas State (now known as University of North Texas).

However, he decided to play for the AFL’s Dallas Texans. According to the “Pro Sports Transactions Archive,” Texans owner Lamar Hunt signed the running back following the 1959 Sun Bowl.

As a 6-foot, 190-pound halfback, he played for the Dallas Texans from 1960 to 1962 before the franchise moved to Kansas City. He played for the Chiefs in 1963-64 and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Honor in 1991.

While with the franchise, he rushed for 3,814 yards and 39 touchdowns, caught 199 passes for 2,739 yards and 17 touchdown receptions, averaged 25.5 yards and scored one touchdown on kickoff returns, and averaged 10.9 yards on punt returns.

Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt released a statement

“My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes,” Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said in a news release.

“Abner was one of the first great stars of the Dallas Texans and the American Football League. In the league’s first season in 1960, Abner earned Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

“In addition to his on-the-field prowess, Abner was a man of courage and leadership from a very young age. He remained involved in the community well after his playing days were over.

“His legacy extends far beyond the gridiron. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Guadalupe and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Haynes was the first AFL player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1960

Haynes won Rookie of the Year honors and was voted MVP in 1960. He then rushed for career highs of 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns in 1962. He became the first rusher in franchise history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards en route to an AFL title.

Additionally, Haynes also played for the Denver Broncos (1965-66), Miami Dolphins (1967), and New York Jets (1967). He finished his career with 4,630 rushing yards, 46 rushing touchdowns, 3,535 receiving yards, and 20 touchdown scores on 287 receptions.

Haynes also posted a kickoff return touchdown in 1961 and returned a punt for a score in 1965. To this day, he still owns 10 Texans franchise records, including most career combined yards (8,442). He was regularly among the AFL’s top 10 rushers.

At North Texas State, Haynes was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection. The Denton native received All-American honors in 1959. He rushed for 1,864 yards and 17 touchdowns in his three varsity seasons as well.

Haynes, teammate Leon King became the first African Americans to play college football on an integrated team in Texas

In 1956, Haynes and teammate Leon King became the first African Americans to play college football on an integrated team in the state of Texas. He also made the varsity team in 1957.

Following his career, Haynes represented more than 90 NFL players as one of the first Black sports agents licensed in Texas. He later established the Abner Haynes Heroes of Football Foundation. It serves to help former pro players who were injured during their playing careers.

Of course, Haynes was inducted into the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. Both the Chiefs and North Texas Eagles retired his number 28. His Chiefs jersey is one of only 10 retired by the club.

The Professional Football Researchers Association named Haynes to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2019.

Haynes was also a cousin of Sly Stone, Rose Stone, and Freddie Stone of Sly and the Family Stone — a rock band that originated in San Francisco, California. The band was active from 1966 to 1983.