Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-08-29
By Bob Greene

Dallas Texans and defending
champions of the American Foot
ball League, might not be as gaudy
as the Kansas City Athletics base
baA club but they definitely have
a look Of color this season.
The AS, currently wallowing In
the American League second d.
vision, startled the sports world
this year when they appeared In
uniforms of Kelly green and bright
gold.
But the Chiefs, who last year
as the Texans beat the Houston
Oilers in a thrilling overtime bat
tie to win the AFL title, get their
hue from a different source. There
are currently 10 Negroes on the
Chiefs squad. Although some may
be cut, prospects look good for
the majority to make the team.
Leading the Chiefs offensive Is
the fabulous Abner Haynes, the
North Texas State All-American
whose name has become synoni-
nous with the Hedging league.
Haynes was the first Player Of the
Year of the AFL when the league
was established back in 1860, its
outstanding pro rookie and an all
league selection for three seasons.
Last year, he established a
league high for touchdowns with
10, and added two more in the
championship game. He won the
league rushing title in 1860 and
narrowly missed the following
season although out for three
games. He was second in 1862
with 1,O49 yards.
He passed the century mark in
rushing two games in 1860, three
times in 1861 and four times In
1862. He excels as a pass receiver
and on kickoff and punt returns.
But running plays from scrim-
mage is Abners pride.
Also in Kansas City's starting
bacl1field Is Curtis McClinton, q
6-3 232 pound fullback from the
University of Kansas. McClinton
played in the shadow of All-Amer-
dean John Hadl while at K. U. but
was named AFL Rookie of the
Year in 1862 while Hadl was a
journeyman quarterback for the
San Diego Chargers.
McClinton thrilled Kansas Cfti-
ans last week when he rambled 73
yards for a touchdown in a pre-
season game against the Buffalo
Bills.
Two Of the biggest names In
college gridiron warfare last year
are pretty certain to make the
grade on the Chiefs defensive unit.
They are Bobby Bell of Minnesota,
a Ga, 228-pound All-American, and
81, 276-pound Junious (Buck)
Buchanan Of Grambling, a Little
AI-Amertcan.
Both Bell and Buchanan were
on the victorious College All-Star
squad that defeated the mighty
Green Bay Packers recently.
Prairie View Is well represented
on the Kansas City team. David
Webster, a GA, 220-punder from
Houston, Texas, Is starting his
fourth year with the Chiefs. He
will man one of the defensive half
back positions.
The other defensive halfback
might we'll be Granger, Texas, ma
tive, Charles Warner, the hghtest
man on the squad at 1S0 pounds.
He Is a rookie.
Another defensive halfback Is
Dave Grayson, who is starting his
third year in pro ball. He Joined
the Chiefs after graduating from
Oregon.
Two more Negro rockies from
small schools are Claude Watts
and Sam Leonard.
Watts, a native of Bluefield, w.
Va, went to college at Bluefield
state. The speedster packs 1856
pounds over his 6-foot-1 frame.
Leonard, on the other hand,
stands 6-5 and is trying out for a
defensive end spot. The 235-pound-
er is from Wiley college and Is a
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