There is a feeling among AFL fans that the American Football League players are consistently overlooked for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  In truth there are many players, the bulk of whose careers were spent in the AFL, that deserve serious consideration, if not outright induction.  In an effort to spark some discussion regarding their hall of fame worthiness, I will occasionally compare AFL players to their NFL (and Hall of Fame) counterparts. The short biographies on the NFL players have been taken directly from the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.

Today’s comparison is between Ed Budde of the Kansas City Chiefs and two HoF offensive guards, Tom Mack and Mike Munchak.

autographed 1965 topps ed budde

#095 – Ed Budde

Edward Leon Budde – First round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963…  Played nine consecutive seasons without missing a game…  Seven-time AFL All-star/NFL Pro Bowler…  Twice First-Team All-Pro…  Won  two AFL championships, and member of Super Bowl IV-winning Chiefs…  First lineman named to AFL All-Time First-Team…  Retired in 1976, after 14 seasons with the Chiefs…

Thomas Lee MackRams’ first round draft pick, second player overall in 1966 NFL draft. . .One of only two rookies on veteran-laden team. . . Earned starting role as rookie and held left guard position for next 13 seasons. . .Extremely durable, never missed a game during 184-game career. . .Named to 11 Pro Bowls. . .All-NFL five times. . . All-Western Conference once, All-NFC eight times…

Michael Anthony MunchakOilers’ first-round draft pick, eighth player overall and first offensive lineman selected, 1982 … Earned starting left guard position, rookie season … Devastating blocker, anchored Oilers line that helped team perennially rank near top of NFL’s offensive statistical categories … Named first- or second-team All-Pro ten times … All-AFC seven times … Elected to nine Pro Bowls …

As we have discussed before, the Kansas City Chiefs of the late 1960s were one of the most dominant teams in pro football history.  They are already represented by nine men in Canton, with Jerry Mays, Johnny Robinson, Otis Taylor, Jim Tyrer and Ed Budde waiting in the wings.  Budde was a dominant guard for many years, and along with Bob Talamini, was named to the AFL’s All-Time First-Team at the position.  As linemen do not have statistics to compare like other positions, things like durability, longevity, and Pro Bowls get called into question.  Budde ranks high in all categories.  Additionally, he blocked for a Hall of Fame quarterback in Len Dawson, and a 1,000-yard rusher in Mike Garrett. What more did he need to achieve to earn his place in Canton?  Thoughts?