Record 8–6 Playoff finish did not qualify Start date 1972 | Division place 2nd AFC West Head coach Hank Stram Home field Arrowhead Stadium | |
Pro Bowlers WR Otis Taylor
LB Willie Lanier
LB Bobby Bell
CB Emmitt Thomas
P Jerrel Wilson People also search for 1973 Kansas City Chiefs season | ||
The 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season began with the Chiefs moving into the newly constructed Arrowhead Stadium and ended with an 8–6 record and second-place finish in the AFC West.
The Chiefs introduced the newly completed Arrowhead Stadium to the general public. The last original member of the 1960 Dallas Texans team departed on July 12 when safety Johnny Robinson announced his retirement at training camp. Meanwhile, starting quarterback Len Dawson ended speculation about his retirement by signing a two-year contract. Franchise owner Lamar Hunt became the first AFL figure to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 29.
After two different construction strikes and a myriad of other delays, Arrowhead Stadium was officially dedicated on August 12, when the Chiefs registered a 24–14 preseason victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Running back Ed Podolak scored the first touchdown in the facility. Regular season ticket prices for the team's first season at Arrowhead were USD$8 for box seats and $7 for reserved seating.
On September 17, the Chiefs lost a 20–10 decision against Miami (the first win in Miami's perfect season) in the first official game at the new Arrowhead Stadium, in front of a crowd of 79,829. A standing-room-only crowd of 82,094 was in attendance for a 27–14 victory against Oakland on November 5, the largest "in-house" attendance total for an NFL contest in Arrowhead's history. After a 5–3 start, a three-game losing streak effectively eliminated the club from playoff contention. An 8–6 record was good enough for only a second-place finish in the AFC West behind Oakland. Linebacker Willie Lanier became the first Chiefs player to receive the prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award in the offseason.
In week six, the Chiefs dropped a shocking 21-20 decision at home to the lowly Philadelphia Eagles, who came in 0-5 and would win only once more (also a one-point victory over the Houston Oilers, who finished 1-13). It would be the last time the Chiefs and Eagles played until 1992, and Kansas City would not visit Philadelphia until 1998.