Jim Tyrer

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

A cornerstone of the Chiefs' success, owner Lamar Hunt credited him for helping establish Kansas City as a major sports town. He was a Chiefs team captain four years (1967–1971) including the team's Super Bowl IV championship season. Tyrer is often referenced as 'the greatest player not in the Hall of Fame,' reflecting his lasting impact on the sport and much-debated omission from the Hall of Fame. He played in a period when linemen were prohibited from using their hands for blocking, and defensive players were permitted to use the 'head slap' technique—a practice later outlawed due to its brutality. Despite the physicality of the era and the demands of his position, Tyrer started 180 consecutive games, a then-record for the Chiefs, and every pre-season game (65) in his 13 years with the Texans/Chiefs franchise. His 180 starts surpasses all left tackles in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as of 2024. In the early morning hours of September 15, 1980, to the shock of the sports world, Tyrer murdered his wife, Martha, and then died by suicide. Teammate and author Michael Oriard would later describe Tyrer in the book The End of Autumn as 'the unlikeliest suicide-murderer to those who knew him.' Tyrer was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the time of the murder-suicide, his first year of eligibility. He did not advance in the selection process again for 44 years when research from Beneath the Shadow (a documentary by filmmaker Kevin Patrick Allen about Tyrer's life) led to a tacit acknowledgement from the PFHOF senior committee that Tyrer likely suffered from brain trauma. On December 3, 2024, Tyrer reached the finalist stage for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025.

In Their Own Story

The tragedy struck in the pre-dawn hours of September 15, 1980. After attending a Chiefs game with his son Jason just the afternoon before, Tyrer shot and killed his wife Martha before taking his own life. Three of their four children—Brad (17), Stefanie (12), and Jason (11)—were in the home at the time. Teammate Michael Oriard later described him as "the unlikeliest suicide-murderer to those who knew him." Years of research into his death, detailed in filmmaker Kevin Patrick Allen's documentary *Beneath the Shadow*, revealed a specialist named Dr. Douglas Paone had examined Tyrer two days before he died. Paone told Allen, "He (Tyrer) had CTE. There’s not a doubt in my mind," noting symptoms like headaches and abdominal pain. Tyrer's daughter Tina recalled that his custom helmet, made for his 6'7", 290-pound frame, featured half-inch cardboard lining with no suspension, as he played in an era where linemen used their heads as battering rams.

Reader's Guide

Born and raised in Newark, Ohio, Jim Tyrer attended Newark High School, where he excelled in track, basketball, and, most notably, football. On February 18, 1956, Tyrer’s father, Efflo Tyrer, who served as the city treasurer, suffered a fatal heart attack while attending the Central Ohio League high school basketball championship, which Newark won. The following night, 17-year-old Tyrer led his team to victory in a highly anticipated matchup against Mount Vernon High. He scored 24 points in the 68–62 triumph, later telling reporters, 'Dad would have wanted me to play.' In 1970, Tyrer's No. 77 jersey was retired as he was inducted into the Newark High School Hall of Fame. Tyrer played college football at Ohio State University under head coach Woody Hayes, and earned All-America honors. Hayes did not have a helmet that would fit Tyrer. A regular helmet had to be split in the middle and reconnected with a wide strip in the middle. A Riddell Company representative made several flights to Columbus, Ohio to get the changes right. Tyrer signed with the American Football League's Dallas Texans in 1961. He played 13 years with that franchise (180 consecutive games), which became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, helping set the standard for his position at left offensive tackle. His 14th and final season was with the Washington Redskins under head coach George Allen, who preferred veteran players. Tyrer was traded from the Chiefs in late August 1974 for three draft picks. Tyrer was named AFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1969. He and Ed Budde at guard made a powerful left side. In Super Bowl IV, Tyrer and Budde opened holes for Chiefs running backs against the Minnesota Vikings' opposing defensive linemen Jim Marshall and Alan Page, respectively, gaining 151 yards on 42 carries (3.6 yards per attempt) and 122 net passing yards in the team's upset 23–7 victory. Pundits noted that Chiefs' running backs Warren McVea and Mike Garrett, both 5'9", were 'camouflaged' by Tyrer, giving them an initial advantage against opponents. Tyrer was an anchor of the Texans/Chiefs' line and was selected as The Sporting News' AFL All-League tackle eight consecutive years, from 1962 through 1969. He was an AFL Western Division All-Star seven times, in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969 before also capturing a pair of All-AFC accolades in 1970–71. His efforts in the upstart leagu

Did You Know?

• Tyrer started 180 consecutive games, a then-record for the Chiefs, and every pre-season game (65) in his 13 years with the Texans/Chiefs franchise.
• His 180 starts surpasses all left tackles in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as of 2024.
• Tyrer was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time first-team All-Pro.
• He was named AFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1969.
• Tyrer's custom helmet had a half-inch of cardboard lining with no suspension, according to his daughter Tina.