Dolphins at Chiefs, Christmas Day 1971.

 This is from Dan-NY comments on stickboy58' fanpost Best Game Memories

Divisional Playoff game, double overtime, the longest game in NFL history. Even though the Chiefs had most of its Super Bowl IV complement intact (Dawson, Taylor, Lanier, Buchanan, Stenerud…), and the Dolphins were loaded with the foundations of the 1972 Undefeated Team (Griese, Warfield, Csonka, Yepremian…), it was Ed Podolak who was THE MAN. I could not believe the force this guy was, with an astonishing 350 all-purpose yards as if he needed to personally shoulder the game to victory.

This was easily the most emotional game I have ever seen, of any sport, of any team, of any time. I was just a teen, and I caught Football Fever something fierce only the year before (post SB-IV). The rush of MY team winning the division, MY team being in the playoffs, MY team expected to march through to a championship — it was all still heady and new to me. So, even though the game was on Christmas Day, I successfully campaigned with my parents to be able to watch MY team play the entire game that late Saturday afternoon.

And it was a great, tough, seesaw battle. Ultimately Miami tied it 24-all in the last two minutes of regulation. But then Podolak immediately returned the kickoff back 70-plus yards! Steady Stenerud lined up for the clinching field goal for KC – but missed! Regulation expired and the game slipped into overtime. And I could not be cajoled, threatened or dragged from the TV, even as the game stretched into the appointed hour for Christmas dinner. How many times did I assure my mother that the game was "almost over" as she tried to keep her promise to me but not starve everyone else?

In the first OT, KC drove to field goal range — but the kick was blocked! Agony. Miami answered with its own drive, and its own missed field goal. KC lived yet! But Mom could not stall any longer and dinner had to be served to the family. I was adamant to see through to the end of the game — on to the second overtime.

My dinner plate grew cold and I was getting increasing grief from the family. My protests of the game being "almost over" apparently were less convincing as the overtimes pushed an hour past the originally scheduled end of game. Go figure.

When Garo Yepremian finally kicked the game-winner for Miami, I was devastated and drained. Mom was relieved but exasperated. "I can’t believe you missed dinner, watched the whole game, only to have your team lose!" she said. Geez, Mom — the plan was that KC wasn’t going to lose!

It is a crime that film no longer exists of this game, as is my understanding. That would be worthy of a pilgrimage to see again.

 1971 Dolphins at Chiefs: Playoff Game - 1 of 3 (via diz2001)

 It’s been decades since I saw any of it. I watch that highlight show now, and relive how kick-ass and complete that team was.

- Len Dawson was a master craftsman of ball-handling, killing the D and embarrassing the poor cameramen.
- Len calling his own plays, with a lot of ball-control passing respecting the Miami D, and then airing that gorgeous 65-yard rainbow to Elmo Wright in OT.
- Otis Taylor caught 1100 yards that season but we used him as a decoy the whole game. Great for the ground game but agonizing to watch as a fan, wanting so bad to see him break open a long gainer in the playoff.
- The blocking by this KC offense was just a thing of beauty. We ran screens and swings to Podolak all day, and it’s thrilling to see the power of not just O-line but the downfield blocking by Otis Taylor and company to spring those big gains.
- KC’s punishing defense, with the best linebacker corps in the league, showed consistent sure tackling nearly every play. A ball-carrier gets hit by KC, he pretty much goes on the ground. A clinic – never be complacent.
- Bob Griese playing hurt the whole game but still being such a slippery bastard to keep a play alive. Good thing he didn’t run bootlegs or I might have combusted into flaming carnage.
- And finally Stenerud having the worst timing ever to have a crappy game. Just maddening, maddening, maddening when you KNOW what a great kicker he’s been for the team.

I hated losing, but there was nothing cheap or undeserved about the win by the Fishies. But this game exemplified how football should be played by professionals, how football can be strategized by coaches, and how football is eminently captivating to us fans.

KC sent eleven players to the 1971 Pro Bowl representing nearly every offensive and defensive position unit, including our punter and kicker. In fact both teams were loaded. Six men from KC and six from Miami played in the game and are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as are Stram and Shula the head coaches for each team.

It was a great Kansas City team, but that ‘71 playoff game turned out to be the bright dying flash of greatness. The team aged and declined into frustrating mediocrity of the 70’s and the 80’s. Miami continued to ascend as a new premier AFC team, while KC’s heroes relocated to (shudder) other teams or retired. But I didn’t forget what greatness looked like. What greatness felt like. And that memory sustained me through the long lean years.

I matured through high school and college and adulthood, did the whole career and marriage and family deal, celebrated personal victories and weathered medical setbacks – you know, lived life. And I always followed the Chiefs. Ignore whatever football flavor is popular any given year. (And hey, "America’s Team?" Bite me.) Because that’s what a fan does. No matter what their record is, KC is MY team, and I believe I will again see greatness in Red and Gold.

This is Dan-NY's post. Not mine, I wanted all of you to see True Chiefs fandom and the Hope we all have for this 2010 Chiefs team.

Thanks Dan-NY