Posted on 07/04/2005 2:21:37 PM PDT by KS Flyover
KC Sports Legend Hank Stram Dies
Stram Led The Chiefs To 2 Super Bowl AppearancesKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Hank Stram, a legend in Kansas City sports history, died Monday in New Orleans following a lengthy illness.
He was 81.
Stram led the Chiefs to their only two Super Bowl appearances: In Super Bowl I the Chiefs lost to the Green Bay Packers, and in Super Bowl IV in 1970, the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings.
"It was all about the team. Winning was -- that's the name of the game in sports -- and it was team and winning is what I remember the most," Chiefs Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud said in a 2003 interview.
Stram also had the respect of his opponents.
"Just being a winner and being a guy that you knew his teams were always going to be prepared, and he was a colorful coach," Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula told KMBC in 2003.
"(He was) a tenacious, vicious competitor. He had a love and passion for football," Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis said.
Stram was inducted into the National Football League's Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1987.
Stram was the Chiefs all-time winning coach.
Hank Stram and someone who appears to be Ernie Ladd. What a combo.
RIP Coach. RIP.
He was a great coach, and I thought a pretty good announcer too. On the many nights when Cosell was completely unbearable, I used to turn down the circus at ABC and listen to Hank and Jack Buck on the radio. RIP, Coach.
I could be mistaken, but I think that is Buck Buchanan in the background of that picture. He has also passed away, I believe. RIP, Mr. Stram.
Still my all-time favorite NFL Films was the Super Bowl IV where Hank was miked, "you marked it good, you marked it good..you guys are doing a helluva job."
Stram was ALWAYS a gentleman. Likely the last of a rare breed.
Speaking of "rare breed," another gentleman named Rich Upchurch (used to play for Denver, now coaches high school football locally) does something here in Pueblo, CO, annually (thought I'd mention it), with Christian youth in the area. It's sort of a football boot camp for kids.
Last year, every other helper at the camp had a Super Bowl ring except poor Mr. Upchurch; Dwight Hicks, Ron Egloff and several other champions.
Here is the link to the organization: Rare Breed.
I know how many altruistic people there are here at this site. This organization deserves your support. My kids attended this event last year and are doing so again this year. I recommend it highly. I think Mr. Stram would as well.
A worthy adversary was Coach Stram. He'll be missed.
GO RAIDERS!
I love the NFL films of him during Super Bowl IV. He was a great coach and quite a character.
http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/kcdal/daltexans.html
He made his mark ....prayers for his friends and family.
Hank is right now explaining to Saint Peter the "65 toss power trap."
RIP Hank, innovative O coach in his time. Some great Chiefs team she ut together in the late 6-'s early 70's.
If you get a chance catch the SB IV hi lites from NFL Flims you'll see what a character the guy was. I used to turn off Cosell for Hank also.
In another thread, I posted my opinion that Jack Buck and Hank Stram were my favorite football radio announcing team.
As a Raiders fan, I would love to see a video of that game even though it was a loss. I had never heard about that game until you posted this information.
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