Willie Lanier

Willie Edward Lanier was born on August 21, 1945, in Clover, Virginia, and grew up in Richmond. His father, Robert, was the biggest influence in his life. Lanier attended Maggie L. Walker High School, Richmond’s largest African American high school, graduating in 1963. In his senior year, Walker beat archrival Armstrong 27–13 in front of 23,000 fans, finishing 10–0. During that era, Virginia’s black and white high schools did not compete against each other; the leagues merged in 1970. Walker also produced tennis star Arthur Ashe and NBA player Bob Dandridge. A DNA analysis later showed Lanier’s ancestry is mainly from the Jola people of Guinea-Bissau.

Lanier turned down a full scholarship to Virginia State University to attend Morgan State College (now Morgan State University). He wanted to escape segregation and saw better job prospects in business administration up north. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1967. Lanier walked onto the football team in 1963 under future Hall of Fame coach Earl Banks.

He started as an offensive guard, blocking for future Hall of Fame running back Leroy Kelly, and also played nose tackle before Banks moved him to middle linebacker. In 1965, Lanier averaged 12 unassisted tackles per game and scored touchdowns on a fumble recovery and an interception. That season, Morgan State beat Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic, the unofficial championship for historically black colleges. In 1966, the Bears were invited to the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida—the first time a historically black college team played in that game.

Orlando had never hosted an integrated high school or college game, but the hosts ensured equal treatment. ABC televised the game, and Morgan State won 14–6. Lanier, playing both offense and defense, was named MVP. During his college career, the team lost only two games.

He was twice named to the Little All-America Team and was selected CIAA Player of the Year in 1966. He was inducted into the Morgan State Hall of Fame in 1982. The Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Touchdown Club of Richmond renamed their award for Virginia’s best small-college player after Lanier. He is also a member of The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.

After the Chiefs lost Super Bowl I in January 1967, head coach Hank Stram sought defensive help in the draft. He selected Lanier in the second round, 50th overall, three picks after Notre Dame’s Jim Lynch. Lanier had been scouted by Frank Barnes. Several accounts explain how Lanier became the starting middle linebacker over Lynch. One says he won the job after the Chiefs’ fourth game of his rookie season. Another, from Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, says Stram saw both rookies in camp and decided Lanier should play middle linebacker while Lynch moved outside. A third explanation holds that Lynch missed the first two weeks of practice because of the College All-Star Game, giving Lanier time to establish himself.

Lanier played for the Chiefs from 1967 through 1977, earning postseason honors for eight straight years: AFL All-Star in 1968 and 1969, then Pro Bowl selections from 1970 through 1975. He won Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs and was named NFL Man of the Year in 1972. He was selected to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.