The NFL is indeed rife with record-breaking plays, iconic moments, and talented sporting legends. Throughout the league, there have been many impressive players and even more unforgettable plays that truly stand out from the rest.
It’s never an easy feat making a name for yourself in the big leagues of the NFL, whether through impressive playing agility and strength, or simply one of those once-in-a-lifetime shining moments on the field.
Quite a few names stand out when looking at NFL player props bets. However, some even more unforgettable moments stand out for all the right reasons, one of which is the 65 Toss Power Trap of 1970.
For fans of Kansas City football, this is one of the most memorable moments and plays of their first and only Super Bowl victory. It became infamous for the behavior before and after the pass, courtesy of Chiefs’ coach Hank Stram, and is cemented in franchise history.
Here’s everything you need to know.
A Bit Of The Basics
Mike Garrett is a name that stands out for all of the right reasons. The 1965 Heisman Trophy winner studied at the University of Southern California and later became a 20th-round selection of the 1966 American Football League draft.
The star running back enjoyed five memorable seasons with Kansas City (from 1966 to 1970) and helped the franchise to reach their first and fourth Super Bowls. But it was his performance at the Super Bowl in 1970 that put his name on the map.
Super Bowl IV In New Orleans
Super Bowl IV was the final AFL – NFL World Championship Game in professional football before the NFL merger that took effect in the following season. It took place in January of 1970.
The Chiefs employed innovative strategies and formations that were designed by then-head coach Hank Stram to disrupt the positioning and timing of the defense. Besides Len Dawson, the Chiefs’ main offensive weapon was Garrett himself who rushed for 732 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also recorded 43 receptions for 432 yards and another 2 touchdowns.
During this Super Bowl, the Chiefs were 13-point underdogs.
The Second Quarter
This has been deemed as one of the most iconic plays in Kansas City Chiefs history. Ordered by then-coach Hank Stram, the 65-toss power trap of 1970 is forever captured on grainy footage courtesy of NFL Films. It essentially secured the Chiefs’ victory at this Super Bowl.
After the Chiefs took an impressive 9-0 lead, they continued this threatening behavior in the second quarter. As a result, they had a 3rd and goal on the Vikings’ 5.
On the kickoff for this quarter, the Vikings’ Charlie West dropped the ball. The Chiefs’ Remi Prudhomme made a key play by recovering it at the Vikings’ 19-yard line.
Jim Marshall, defensive end, sacked Len Dawson for an 8-yard loss on the first drive play. However, a 13-yard run on a draw play by Wendell Hayes and an additional 10-yard reception by Otis Taylor granted the Chiefs their first down compared to the Vikings’ four.
Just three plays later, Mike Garrett’s five-yard touchdown run on a trap play, supported by pulling Mo Moorman’s impressive block on the Vikings’ Alan Page, managed to clear a hole, giving the Chiefs a clear-cut lead of 16–0. This play is immortalized as the 65 Toss Power Trap.
The 65 Toss Power Trap
Chiefs head coach Hank Stram referred to the above play as the “65 Toss Power Trap” and then Garrett ran to the end zone to make the ultimate touchdown. This play is immortalized since Stram had a microphone on his dark blazer which recorded the action.
He called out a play to Gloster Richardson, his wide receiver, which we know now as this iconic move. At the time, Hank claimed that the pass might have popped right open due to the circumstances of the Chiefs’ play so far.
Richardson ran straight into the huddle to deliver this message and the Chiefs executed it perfectly!
Quarterback Len Dawson handed the ball off to Mike Garrett, who – thanks to perfect blocking and offensive shifting, and ideal maneuvering – quickly ran the ball for a touchdown.
Stram was ecstatic on the sideline. He began yelling “65 Toss Power Trap! Yeah!” while laughing and pumping his fist in excitement.
Fortunately, the Chiefs prevailed 23-7. It truly was one for the history books!
The Aftermath
Mike Garrett, the man who scored the 5-yard touchdown on this iconic play, beamed every time he was quizzed about this move. He often referred to it as the pinnacle of his NFL career and is also a huge reason why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted Garrett in 2018.
Summary
Though we are now over five decades on from the 65 toss power trap, it still stands out as one of the most unforgettable moments in the whole history of the NFL. With such a high concentration of talent (players and coaches) on the current NFL roster, we have no doubts that there will be more of these unforgettable moments in the future!