Blast from the past - Week 6

December 20th 1981: Kansas City Chiefs 10 – Minnesota Vikings 6

The late Seventies saw some hard time for the Chiefs. The 1973 season was the last time the team had a winning record, but under head coach Marv Levy we were clearly getting closer. After an 8 and 8 record in the 1980 season the Chiefs raced to an 8 and 4 record the following year – one more win would secure that elusive winning year. However, defeats to the Lions, Broncos and Dolphins meant we were at 8-7 and down to our final chance away in Minnesota in the last week of the season.

​The Vikings took a quick lead through a field goal, but Nick Lowery levelled the score soon after.

Levy had brought Nick Lowery to Arrowhead the year before, and he proved an inspired signing. In a 14 years career with the Chiefs, Lowery scored an incredible 1,466 points, making him then – and still – the franchise’s highest ever scorer. He went to three Pro Bowls – and kicked the winning points in each! When he retired, he held the NFL’s records both for the highest number of field goals scored, and also for the highest percentage of field goals made.

There was no more scoring in the first half, but in the third quarter Stan Rome held onto a 15-yard pass for the game’s only touchdown. In stark contrast to Lowery’s prolific career, this was Rome’s only ever NFL touchdown. A converted basketball player from Clemson, he played only sporadically over four seasons with the Chiefs. Following Rome’s touchdown, Kansas City’s defence managed to hold Minnesota to a single second half field goal to see out the game.

This winning season was a false dawn for the Chiefs – and after a losing season in 1982, Levy was fired. He would resurface in Buffalo, where he led the Bills to 4 AFC Championships in a hugely successful 12 years.

Elsewhere in the NFL at the time:

Walter Payton scored twice for the Chicago Bears as they ended their season with a high scoring win, 35-24 over the Broncos. It was a disappointing year for both teams: the Bears ended with a 6-10 record, while this defeat at Soldier Field cost Denver a place in the playoffs.

Elsewhere in the world:

Classic pop hit Don’t You Want Me was number one in the charts. At the same time, cricketing legend Geoffrey Boycott was also at number one, as he became the sport’s all-time top run scorer.