Chiefs Mourn Death of Safety Jim Kearney

The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed on Tuesday that legendary safety Jim Kearney passed away at the age of 81.

He was drafted in the 11th round by the Detroit Lions out of Prairie View A&M in 1965, and he played the first two seasons of his career there before joining the Chiefs in 1967. He then played nine years with the team, and he was one of the best safeties in the league.

"We're deeply saddened by the passing of former safety, Jim Kearney. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," the Chiefs said on X , formerly known as Twitter.

He was a big part of the Chiefs' first Super Bowl win in 1970, as he finished with a career-high five interceptions that season, one of which he took all the way back for a touchdown.

Aside from his first season with the team, he started in every single game, and he was one of the pillars of their defense for almost a decade. Many regard Kearney as one o the most underrated safeties of all time, as he is not talked about near as much as he should be.

The thoughts and prayers of the Chiefs organization are with the Kearney family, and the team will be looking to win their third straight Super Bowl this season in honor of the man who helped them win their first ever.