But few receivers from the American Football League made life more miserable for defensive backs than the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver.

"Every pass route Chris ran was a perfect pass route," quarterback Len Dawson said. "You could throw the ball and know two things-Chris would be in perfect position and that if it was anywhere near him, he'd catch it."

The Stanford product was the master of the sideline reception. He's leave the huddle, trot out to his familiar position at the wide out and dance down the sidelines with a couple of defenders between him and the ball.

He and Dawson were the perfect combination, and somehow Burford always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. And a touchdown was usually the end result. For many years, he was the Chiefs all-time reception leader with 391. Those receptions accounted for 5,505 yards and 55 touchdowns.

He and Dawson's perfect timing patterns didn't result by accident. It took hour of work during practice, after practice and in game situations to make Burford one of the most explosive players from the AFL era.

Watching the 6-3, 210-pounder run a perfect pass route was a thing of beauty. If the game was on the line and the Chiefs needed a big gainer, there were few doubts as to who would catch the ball.

If time was running out and the Chiefs needed to get in field goal position to win a game, everyone in the stadium knew Burford would be Dawson's top target-but still, frustrated defensive backs could do little to stop his special brand of magic.