Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier in 1977. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Gene Trosch (74) and another teammate congratulate an exhausted Willie Lanier, a Hall of Fame linebacker, during the AFL Divisional Playoff, a 13-6 victory over the New York Jets on December 20, 1969, at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Rod Hanna/NFL Photos)

Kansas City Chiefs safety Johnny Robinson (42) and Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier (63) wrap up New York Jets running back Bill Mathis (31) during the AFL Divisional Playoff, a 13-6 Chiefs victory on December 20, 1969, at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Rod Hanna/NFL Photos)

Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier of the Kansas City Chiefs waits for the snap in a 1971 game. (Photo by Rod Hanna/NFL Photos)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier is on the heels of San Diego Chargers running back Cid Edwards during a 26-14 win over the San Diego Chargers on October 29, 1972 at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Darryl Norenberg/NFL Photos)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Mike Phipps (15) is caught from behind by Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier (63) during the Browns 31-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 8, 1972 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Tim Culek/NFL Photos)

Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier (63) speak after the 1971 AFC Playoff, a double-overtime Dolphins victory on December 25, 1971, at Kansas City Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Rod Hanna/NFL Photos)

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Mike Montgomery #23 of the San Diego Chargers runs upfield as linebackers Willie Lanier #63 and Bobby Bell #78 of the Kansas City Chiefs run in pursuit at San Diego Stadium on September 19, 1971 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 21-14. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier (63) intercepts a pass during the 1971 AFC Playoff, a double-overtime loss to theMiami Dolphins on December 25, 1971, at Kansas City Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Rod Hanna/NFL Photos)