Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Ed Budde, who played for 14 years and contributed to the team’s first Super Bowl victory in 1970, passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday. The Chiefs announced his death in a statement, without providing a cause.
Born on Nov. 2, 1940, in Highland Park, Michigan, Budde excelled at Denby High School in Detroit before becoming an All-American at Michigan State in 1962 under the coaching of Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty.
Budde, known for his reliability and toughness, was the fourth overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1963 NFL Draft and the eighth overall pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL Draft. Ultimately, he chose to play for the Chiefs, a decision that aligned with the team’s early success under coach Hank Stram, preceding the merger of the NFL and AFL.
“He was a cornerstone of those early Chiefs teams that brought pro football to Kansas City,” said Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt in a statement. “He never missed a game in the first nine seasons of his career, and he rightfully earned recognition as an All-Star, a Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.”
Budde played a key role in the Chiefs’ AFL titles in 1966 and 1969, culminating in a Super Bowl IV victory against the Minnesota Vikings. A five-time AFL All-Star, he earned Pro Bowl selections after the league merger with the NFL and was named to the All-AFL Team before retiring after the 1976 season.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Budde’s son, Brad Budde, was also drafted by the Chiefs with the 11th overall pick in 1980, making them the only father-son duo to be first-round picks by the same NFL franchise.
Following his playing career, Ed Budde remained active in the Kansas City area, serving as the longtime president of the local NFL Alumni organization. His continued involvement was evident as he joined his son on stage at Kansas City’s Union Station during the NFL Draft in April, where they announced the Chiefs’ second-round selection of wide receiver Rashee Rice.
