Jim O’Brien: ” I recall coming home to Pittsburgh and visiting Art Rooney Sr. at the Steelers’ offices at the Roosevelt Hotel and telling him what a terrific team they had in Kansas City. KDKA-TV anchorman Bill Burns was in The Chief’s office one of those days and he challenged by evaluation of the Kansas City club. “Their quarterback is Lenny Dawson and we let him go,” said Burns. “That proves nothing,” I said. “The Steelers let Johnny Unitas go, and look how great he turned out to be.”
OL Larry Gagner: “Early in the game, Lew Dawson called for a sweep with me clearing the path for Ed Podoiak, our superior running back. The play picked up significant yardage and was called again in the opposite direction with the same result. Because of those early sweep successes, Dawson went to the “sweep well” frequently the rest of the game.”
LB Dick Lasse: “Len Dawson. He was a fantastic passer. I can’t believe they cut him. We all saw how good he was and he went on to greatness in the new league. Apparently the coaches din’t think he was as good as we did.”
WR Jimmy Orr: “It was a great experience in Pittsburgh. Me. Bobby Layne and later Len Dawson, we would all go out and talk football…”
OL Bill Krisher: “I remember how many good quarterbacks we had. I was good friends with Jack Kemp and Len Dawson and we cut them both my first year as a Steeler, in 1958!”