Abner Haynes, football ‘pioneer’ and 1960 AFL MVP, dead at 86

Former Chiefs star running back and football icon Abner Haynes died on Thursday in Dallas.

He was 86.

Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt sent his condolences to the Haynes family, calling the star a “man of courage and leadership.”

“My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes,” Hunt said. “Abner was one of the first great stars of the Dallas Texans and the American Football League.”

Born in Dallas, Haynes played his college ball at North Texas State (now University of North Texas), where he and teammate Leon King became the first black players to suit up for an integrated college football team in the state.

“My dad kept telling me, ‘Man, use your brain instead of your anger,’” Haynes told CBS 19 in Texas in 2019. “It worked. … My older brother came and told my parents that North Texas was talking about integrating,” Haynes said. “Next thing I know, I gotta letter from North Texas telling me when to come to practice and where to come.”

Director of athletics Jared Mosley shared a heartfelt statement on X following Haynes’ passing.

“Sad day to hear of the passing of @MeanGreenFB legend and pioneer Abner Haynes,” Mosley wrote on his social media page. “His impact at UNT will never be forgotten. Thoughts and prayers are with the Haynes family.”

Haynes became a pro with the then-Dallas Texans, spurning the NFL’s Steelers for the new AFL.

He burst onto the scene immediately, leading the fledgling league in rushing (875 yards, 62.5 yards per game) and scoring 12 total touchdowns during its inaugural season, which remains a Chiefs franchise rookie record.

Haynes took home the AFL’s Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

In 1962, he also led the AFL in total yards from scrimmage with 1,622, helping the team win the league championship.

He played five years with the organization, three in Dallas and two once it moved to Kansas City.

He still holds multiple franchise records, including most touchdowns in a game with five and most rushing touchdowns in a game with four.

A Chiefs Hall of Fame member, Haynes is also one of 10 players to have their number retired by the team.

In 1965 as a member of the Broncos, he was part of a movement to move the AFL’s All-Star Game from New Orleans to Houston after he and other black players experienced trouble getting hotel and taxi accommodations.

“We approached the coaches. I approached the general manager and told him what was going on. They didn’t like it. We decided we weren’t going to play in a city that treated us like that,” Haynes told CBS 19. “We decided we were going to go to Houston to play the game.”

Haynes played two seasons in Denver before splitting the 1967 season with the Dolphins and Jets, ending his pro career.

He finished his AFL tenure with 4,630 rushing yards and 66 total touchdowns.