The club’s special teams got a boost with the addition of kicker Jan Stenerud from Montana State and kick returner Noland “Super Gnat” Smith from Tennessee State.
In June, Jackson County voters approved a $43 million bond issue for construction of a sports complex to be completed by 1972.
[1] The Chiefs' first non-playoff game against an NFL team resulted in a commanding 66–24 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears at Municipal Stadium on August 23.
[2][3] Injuries again hit the club hard during the regular season as the Chiefs clawed their way to a 9–5 record,[1] four games behind the division-winning Oakland Raiders (13–1).
Rookies in italics Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings in the AFL.