LANIER, WILLIE

born Aug. 21, 1945, Clover, Va., U.S. in full Willie Edward Lanier African-American professional football player who was a defensive standout for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s and '70s. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. Lanier was named to the Little All-America team while at Morgan State University. In 1967 the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the second round of the first combined American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) draft. The Chiefs had lost 3510 to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl earlier that year and focused on defensive players in the draft. At 6 feet 1 inch (1.8 m) and 245 pounds (111 kg), Lanier became the starting middle linebacker in his rookie season, which was cut short by an injury. The next year, the Chiefs were 122, and Lanier began two impressive streaks: selection to eight consecutive Pro Bowls and nine consecutive years with at least two interceptions. In his third season, Lanier led the Chiefs to the final AFL championships prior to the league's merging with the NFL. As AFL champions, the Chiefs met the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. The Vikings were expected to win, but the Chiefs, relying on their defenseincluding an interception by Laniershut out Minnesota in the first half on their way to a 237 victory. While the Chiefs made the play-offs just one more time in his career, Lanier remained a defensive star in the league. He had 15 career fumble recoveries and 27 pass interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns.