Abner Haynes
Running Back
Career: 1960-1964
Induction: 1990
Before Kansas City knew the Chiefs, Dallas had the Texans and an exciting, young running back named Abner Haynes.
"Abner was one of the brightest stars of the first five years of the AFL," said Lamar Hunt, founder of the AFL and the Chiefs/Texans franchise. "His contributions were in an era and time where he added excitement and credibility. He was an outstanding player who chose a new league and made a name for himself. Abner was one of those guys like Billy Cannon and Lance Alworth, who were authentic AFL stars."
Haynes spent five years with Hunt, the first three in Dallas and the final two in Kansas City. Haynes still owns 11 franchise records, including most points in a game (30), most touchdowns in a season (19), most touchdowns in a game (5), most career 100-yard rushing games (12), most career rushing touchdowns (39) and most career combined yards (8,442).
Haynes helped launch the AFL in 1960, when he was the fledgling league's first "Player of the Year." He captured the AFL's first rushing crown with 875 yards, and also led the Texans in receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns.
He was head coach Hank Stram's most versatile and dangerous weapon from 1960-62, amassing 43 touchdowns and 4,472 yards on rushes and receptions. In 1962, he helped the Texans seize the AFL Championship.
"He was a franchise player before they talked about franchise players," praised Stram. "He did it all-rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, punt returns. He gave us the dimension we needed to be a good team in Dallas."
Getting the opportunity to play the first three years of his pro career in his hometown helped motivate Haynes.
"We played in the Cotton Bowl, about eight blocks from my house," Haynes recalled. "That was a thrill. On Sunday mornings I'd go off into south Dallas, where I went to high school, and I'd get a charge out of seeing the guys I went to high school with. You knew the people would get fired up to play. It was a beautiful time."
