Ed Budde, a pivotal figure in the Kansas City Chiefs’ history and a key player in their 1970 Super Bowl win, died at the age of 83 on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. The announcement of his passing was made by his family through a statement released by the Chiefs.

Born in Highland Park, Michigan, on November 2, 1940, Budde emerged as a dominant force in the Chiefs’ offensive lineup throughout his impressive 14-year career. His resilience was notably showcased as he did not miss a single game in his first nine seasons, an extraordinary achievement in the sport.

Budde played an instrumental role in leading the Chiefs to AFL championships in 1966 and 1969, and their subsequent triumph over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. His skill and prowess on the field earned him two Pro Bowl selections post the NFL-AFL merger and five-time AFL All-Star honors.

Prior to his professional career, Budde gained recognition at Michigan State University, where he was named an All-American in 1962. Highly sought after in both the NFL and AFL drafts, he chose to play for the Kansas City Chiefs.

After retiring from football, Budde dedicated himself to serving the Kansas City community. He was the longtime president of the Kansas City chapter of the NFL Alumni organization and a founding member of the Kansas City Ambassadors. This group focuses on community support through scholarship programs, charity events, and other initiatives.

Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt remembered Budde as a key player in the early Chiefs teams, praising his contributions on and off the field.

A notable aspect of Budde’s legacy is the career path of his son, Brad Budde. Brad was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round in 1980, following in his father’s footsteps. This marked the first instance in the NFL where a father and son were both first-round picks by the same team. The Buddes jointly announced the Chiefs’ second-round selection at April’s draft.

Ed Budde was honored by his induction into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1984.