On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs and National Football League lost a legendary football player when news broke that former offensive lineman Ed Budde passed away at 83.
Budde played 14 seasons of professional football, all with the Chiefs when the club drafted him in the first round of the 1963 AFL Draft. Since then, Budde was a staple on Hank Stram’s early Chiefs teams of the 1960s. Next to Jim Tyrer, E.J. Holub, Mo Moorman, and Dave Hill, Budde helped the Chiefs win two AFL Championships and defeat the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV at the end of the 1969 season.
After the news of Budde’s passing broke, Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt released the following statement:
“My family and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Ed Budde. Ed spent his entire 14-year career with the Chiefs, and he was a cornerstone of those early Chiefs teams that brought pro football to Kansas City. 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. After his playing career Ed remained connected to the Chiefs organization and was a founding member of the Kansas City Ambassadors. He was well-loved in the Kansas City community, and he was a great father to Brad, Tionne, and John. My family and the entire Chiefs organization extend our sincere condolences to Carolyn and the Budde family.”
From 1963 to 1976, Budde was voted as an AFL All-Star five times and was a Pro Bowler twice. He was one of the pioneers at his position and was a highly beloved member of the Kansas City community after he retired in 1977. Budde never missed a game during his first nine seasons as a pro.
After he retired after the 1976 campaign, Budde’s son, Brad, was drafted by the Chiefs four years later in 1980. Ed and Brad Budde are the first and only father-son who were both drafted by the same franchise. Ed and Brad were the first to welcome rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice to the Chiefs organization when he announced the pick during the 2023 NFL Draft.
In 1984, Ed Budde was inducted into the Chiefs’ Hall of Honor.
