Before the opening kick-off of their preseason match against the Packers on Thursday night, the Chiefs paid respect to Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson. Dawson, 87, passed away on Wednesday.
With 12:38 left in the first quarter, starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes entered the field before the team's opening offensive play. The Chiefs imitated Dawson's fabled "choir" huddle, a forerunner to the sugar huddle.
Mahomes gave his teammates a handshake before leaving the field without a snap, and they remained in the huddle until the play clock ran out.
Chiefs supporters gave standing ovations while the Packers rejected the delay of game penalty.
In the broadcast, Mahomes said that Andy Reid, the coach, and Clark Hunt, the owner, came up with the concept.
According to Mahomes, who spoke to Jeff Rosen of the Kansas City Star, "He was part of a tremendous group who made the Chiefs what they are today."
As a participant, Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2012, he was given the Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. Dawson was the Super Bowl IV MVP and started for the Chiefs in Super Bowl I's matchup with the Packers.
The Chiefs' helmets will have the number 16 all season long.
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