A key member of the Kansas City Chiefs team that delivered the franchise its first Super Bowl title has passed away.
Frank Pitts Jr., a 10-year NFL wide receiver who helped Kansas City capture Super Bowl IV, died Friday at the age of 82.
Pitts spent a decade in pro football, suiting up for the Chiefs from 1965 to 1970 before continuing his career with the Cleveland Browns (1971–73) and the Oakland Raiders (1974).
RIP Frank Pitts 🕯️
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 17, 2026
"The Riddler"
End/Wide Receiver, 1965-74#Chiefs, #Browns, #Raiders
• Unsung hero of #ChiefKingdom's Super Bowl IV victory
• 2x AFL Champion
• Twice led his team in receiving yards and receiving TDs
• Clutch grab late in Oakland's 1974 "Sea of Hands" game pic.twitter.com/gSFtZWiNx8
A native of Atlanta, Pitts played college football at Southern University and was selected by Kansas City in the fourth round of the American Football League draft. Though he wasn’t an immediate starter, his role grew steadily as the Chiefs emerged as a powerhouse in the late 1960s.
Pitts broke into the starting lineup in 1968, starting 10 games and posting 30 receptions for 655 yards and six touchdowns. He also made his playoff debut that season, recording five catches despite Kansas City’s early postseason exit.
The following year proved to be the defining moment of his career. After winning another AFL championship, the Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl IV to face the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings. Pitts contributed both as a receiver and a runner, helping Kansas City secure a dominant 23–7 victory — the only Super Bowl win of his career and a historic moment for the franchise.
By 1970, Pitts’ role in the offense had diminished, but he remained a contributor before moving on to other teams. He finished his NFL career with 127 games played, 2,897 receiving yards, 27 receiving touchdowns, and one rushing score.
In a strange post-career twist, Pitts’ home was burglarized in 2005, and his Super Bowl ring was stolen. At the time, he was serving as Louisiana Senate sergeant-at-arms. The NFL later honored him with replacement rings during halftime of a game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.
Pitts is survived by his wife, Diane, their three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His football legacy lived on through his grandson Brandon Bolden, who went on to play 12 NFL seasons after starring at Ole Miss.
With his passing, Pitts leaves behind a lasting imprint on Chiefs history — a reliable playmaker who helped bring Kansas City its first championship on football’s biggest stage.
Now on the Lord’s team.
He was ALSO a LOSER in Super Bowl I. Go, Pack, Go!
Well, the Bears made sure that the Packers got better seats for this year’s Superbowl than the Bears did…….