Monday Niters Select Bobby Bell, As The Greatest Chiefs’ Linebacker

Dr. Nicole Price, one of the country’s leading experts in diversity, equity and inclusion, was a guest with the Monday Nite Footballers….on our weekly Zoom call. She was asked to join the group and discuss the implications and interactions, owing to a black woman, recently becoming a part-owner of the Denver Broncos. Yes, Mellody Hobson, one of Forbes’ Magazine’s most powerful women, joined up with a WalMart billionaire..to purchase our Western Division rival, the Denver Broncos. Dr. Price noted that Melody emphasized that the wife of Star Wars’ mogul, was not the first black woman to partly own an NFL team. She noted the Venus and Serena Williams were the first black women, as part-owners in the Miami Dolphins. However, there’s a “lack of equity” issue here….before we start celebrating.

The news did cause “some guarded glee” from Dr. Charles Allen and Jerry Price, both being elated by the recent that a black woman is now a part of an exclusive, ownership club, usually donned by billionaire, white men; or as Dr. Price called it “white privilege”.

After her remarks, there was little discussion after this report, indicating that the Monday Niters had been enriched or “awakened” by Dr. Price’s remarks. Though awkward, the meeting did continue and the hefty discussion about selecting the greatest Chiefs’ linebackers of alltime began. While the Monday Niters remained rather silent, during Dr. Price’s presentation, they were not quiet at all, shouting out their choices, for the “best linebacker”.

Out of nowhere, Jerry Price’s observed that linebackers, in general, are not short in stature, mainly because “they must be tall enough” to see over the giant-like, defensive linemen. Everyone chuckled….but returned quickly to choosing between Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier, as being the two best Linebackers, in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs. And for the first time in over fifty years of discussing the Chiefs, the Monday Niters kept on-point in the discussion about the greatest linebacker in Chiefs’ history. But, why were they so quiet about this ownership thing? However, Carl Clark did note that if Derrick Thomas’s life had not been interrupted, we would have overwhelmingly selected DT, as best linebacker, in Chiefs’ history. Hands down.

Nonetheless, the discussion was limited to just two Chiefs’ linebackers from the past….. Bobby Bell, out of the University of Minnesota and Willie Lanier, an alum of Morgan State in Baltimore (an HBCU). It was noted that many of the early Chiefs’ players, like Otis Taylor and Emmitt Thomas, came from HBCUs. Clearly, selecting the “best linebacker” of all times, became a face-off contest, only between Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier. Before we share with you, how the Monday Niters voted, it must be said that there has never been a more-focused, head-to-head discussion…than this one between the two outstanding linebackers, who both played for the Chiefs, over at 22nd and Brooklyn, right in our central city neighborhood. But, before revealing the individual votes cast, let’s share some specific information, about these two great Chiefs of distinction.

First, about BOBBY BELL. When Bobby Bell was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, his former coach, Hank Stram said that Bobby could play any position he wanted to. Yes, Bobby was that versatile and did play both defensive end and linebacker, in his days, as a Chiefs’ player. Also, Bobby is an accomplished piano player and he still can be seen, around Kansas City, especially at events honoring old-time Chiefs’ players. A couple of years ago, he joined the Monday Niters, down at Gregg-Klice Center, for a Diabetes community event (see picture). Like most of us Monday Niters, Bobby is an octogenarian and sports his unique greying beard, openly…..which he didn’t have during his playing days with the Chiefs (1963-74). But he did pick off 26 interceptions….and as the late Hank Stram noted, played not only linebacker but defensive end, as well. On a practical note, Bobby paid neighborhood owners…to “watch his car”, during games at the old Municipal Stadium, where he played many of his games. There’s that “equity thing” again..

Secondly, WILLIE LANIER was the first African-American

to play Middle Linebacker in the NFL. Yes, there was a time, when it was not fashionable for blacks to play such a leadership position, like linebacker. Of course, Willie “kilt it” and went on to make All-Pro and he eventually was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Actually, Willie joined the Chiefs, later than Bobby Bell….starting his 11-year career with the Chiefs in 1967. Willie came to Kansas City from a Maryland HBCU, called Morgan State. And boy was he fierce on the field, intercepting 27 passes, and tackling anyone within ten feet of him. After leaving NFL football, Willie went on to become a successful business guru, in his football after-life and probably thought about the ownership inequity, many times. But unlike us Monday Niters, he has reached the octogenarian stage yet. He’s only 76, now.

After a rather-short deliberation, here’s how the Monday Niters voted, choosing between these two giant personalities from the Chiefs’ past:

• DR. CHARLES ALLEN…….Willie Lanier

•CARL CLARK SR …………… .Bobby Bell

•OLLIE HUBBARD ………… ..Bobby Bell

•DR. JOHN MARTIN……….Bobby Bell

•JIM NUNNELLY …………… Willie Lanier

•JERRY PRICE ………………… Willie Lanier

• E D WEST ……………………… Bobby Bell

In a 4-3 vote, the Monday Niters chose BOBBY BELL, as the “absolute best linebacker” in Chiefs’ history. Of course, Carl Clark was happy because he had been urging us to choose Bobby Bell, throughout the discussion period. Well, after that, we kinda struggled for discussion topics and we did chat about the World Soccer championship, coming to KC in 2024. Someone thought we should invite Darren Smith to another Zoom meeting, to discuss the financial impact, the World Cup can have on our local black businesses. And the next day up at Bob’s, we discussed the horrible effects of Alzheimer’s. And we agreed to get a speaker on that subject, as well. Overall, this past Monday night’s Zoom meeting was un-eventful. Except, we kept remembering what Dr. Price had said in her presentation. Maybe we should “celebrate” this outstanding black woman’s accomplishment. However, there is a greater issue here.

To own an NFL team, one has to be a billionaire, to start out. Then, you must have another billion to back up that first billion. Maybe that’s what Dr. Price, herself an HBCU graduate, was saying. There is a ‘lack of equity” question here. Should we Monday Niters be talking about that, rather than restricting our discussions to on-thefield. The way it appears that even Venus and Serena…..and now Melody…can’t buy a team alone, without having a billionaire/billionaire to be the main owner. Dr. Price, where are you? Help some 80-year-old brothers out. Did we get it right? Anyway, congratulations to BOBBY BELL….but can he “own” the Chiefs?