He was the AFL's prototype tight end. His 198 receptions and 3,101 receiving yards are still the Chiefs records for the position.

But Chiefs fans remember Arbanas' rugged style of play, not the final number of yards he garnered or passes he caught. He will always be remembered for his crushing blocks and forearms that always seemed to knock a defender in the cheap seats at Municipal Stadium.

One of Arbanas' greatest victories came in 1964, when he lost sight in one eye in an off-field accident. Was his career going to be cut short before the real Chiefs glory years?

No. Arbanas rebounded to give the Chiefs six more solid years and earned a spot on the All-Time AFL team as selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Fred was a man's man, a real player," former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson said of one of his favorite pass-catching targets. "He came to play every down."

Arbanas, a product of Michigan State, starred for two Chiefs Super Bowl teams and used the playing field to write a legacy that one day may find his name among those in the Pro Football Hall Fame.

"I remember when the Chiefs played the Chicago Bears the summer after the loss to Green Bay in the first Super Bowl," team owner Lamar Hunt said. "We won the pre-season game 66-24, but there was a lot at stake in that game. I heard Fred say that was his most memorable game, on I feel the same way."

That simply proves you can take the player out of the AFL, but you can't take the AFL out of the player, especially when the player is Fred Arbanas.