Chiefs lament former running back Abner Haynes’s passing

The Chiefs Hall of Fame running back Abner Haynes passed away, and the team is devastated to inform you of his loss.

Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt remarked, “My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes.” “Abner was among the American Football League’s and the Dallas Texans’ early big stars.

Abner won Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the league’s inaugural season in 1960, but more significantly, he won the respect and adoration of both teammates and supporters. Apart from his exceptional skills on the field, Abner exhibited bravery and leadership qualities from a very young age.

Even after his playing career ended, he continued to be active in the community, and his influence is seen far beyond the football pitch. During this trying time, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Guadalupe and his entire family.

” Haynes, an exuberant running back and return specialist who joined the team in 1960, is the owner or co-owner of several franchise records, including the most touchdowns in a rookie season (12), the most points scored by a non-kicker in a rookie season (72), the most points scored in a game (30), the most touchdowns scored in a game (five), and the most rushing touchdowns scored in a game(four).

He led the team in rushing in four of his five seasons (1960, 1961, 1962, and 1964) and ranks sixth in franchise history with 8,473 career combined net yards played with the team spanning 70 regular season games from 1960–64.

After racking up 1,049 yards in the team’s 1962 AFL Championship season, he became the first 1,000-yard runner in the history of the franchise. He finished with 793 rushes for 3,810 yards and 39 running touchdowns with the Texans/Chiefs.

He also added 199 receptions for 2,739 yards and 17 touchdowns. He totaled 52 kickoff returns for 1,326 yards and one score as a returner and 55 punt returns for 598 yards as a returner.

Haynes was coached by PFHOF Head Coach Hank Stram and made the All-AFL team three times between 1960 and 1962. In 1960, he led the American Football League in running yards (875), which won him Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. After spending five years with the Texans/Chiefs, he played for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and New York Jets.

The Denton, Texas, native was a successful student at North Texas State College, which is now the University of North Texas. He was selected an All-American by Time magazine as a senior in 1959 and twice earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honours.

When Haynes and classmate Leon King joined the North Texas freshman squad in 1956, they became the first Black student athletes to play on an integrated collegiate football team in Texas, or elsewhere in the South. Haynes was active with Heroes of Football, an organisation that aimed to connect players to their communities and share the stories of the players who shaped professional football, since he was passionate about giving young people access to the game.

Haynes was inducted into the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1991.