Hank Stram's 53 Rules to be a Chief

Thanks to my buddy, George Blowfish - keeper of "the seats" on the 50 yardline, front row...

According to legend, Hank Stram gave a mimeographed sheet to every Chiefs rookie on the first day of training camp. These are his 53 rules to be a Chief.

Lets all hope Scott and Todd put this back in play:

Here’s what Hank Stram was telling his players almost 40 years ago:

“The difference between winning and losing often lies in the failure to do the little extra things. Everyone cannot be an “All-Pro”, but EVERYONE can hustle and be a Team Man.

“We are looking for players who will become “coaches’ ballplayers”. This is the highest compliment a player can receive.

“Read these tips over and over again during the season and see if you comply.”

What follows are 53 tips, bromides, rules, suggestions and demands that Stram made of his players. Why 53? There’s no known reason. Unfortunately Hank is no longer around to ask.

But in Stram’s mind they were important steps towards victory and a championship. They still are.

Here’s the list:

1. The desire to be a champion must come from within. Do not expect your coaches, or anyone else, to do everything for you.

2. Hustle on every play on offense. Pursue on every play on defense. You have been instructed on the proper way.

3. Be punctual, even early, for all practices, games and departures.

4. Always strive to improve yourself by working on your weaknesses. You have been given an improvement sheet.

5. Use the time after practice to improve yourself. Don’t be a clock watcher and rush to the showers.

6. Be sure you know all the audibles, both on offense and defense. Also know when to use audibles and expect them.

7. Do not take careless chances on offense or defense when your team is two touchdowns behind or two touchdowns ahead.

8. Always call loudly to your teammate when fielding a kick to tell him that you are going to catch it – he must answer your call.

9. All players must develop endurance. Be stronger in the fourth quarter than your opponent. If you are not getting enough running stay after practice and run on your own.

10. Everyone must know how to make a tackle and throw a block. This is especially important on special teams - no one is excluded, from the quarterback on down the roster.

11. Linebackers and defensive backs must talk loudly on every play.

12. Anticipate what your opponent is going to do, but do not guess. Your pre-game preparation will help you here.

13. Always keep the score and time of the game upper most in your mind when on offense or defense.

14. Every defensive back and linebacker should leave his coverage and fly to the football once it is in the air. You never know when your presence could mean an interception, a recovered fumble or a game saving tackle.

15. Do not field punts from inside the 10-yard line. Fair catch high short punts in a crowd.

16. Always play the defense called. Don’t be a guesser.

17. Offensive linemen must learn to cover on every pass. You never know when you effort may result in the big play.

18. The quarterback must learn to push himself in practice before he can be an effective leader in the game. Your talent doesn't matter. Your performance does.

19. Don’t depend on a teammate or coach to tell you what to do. You have been prepared for every situation on offense and defense.

20. Each receiver must know and line up with the correct spacing one every play. This has been faulty. Don't let it ever happen.

21. The linebackers should play down and distance on long yardage plays by increasing their depth.

22. On long passes, the defender nearest his teammate should call “ball, ball, ball” at the last moment. This has to be done in practice.

23. Defensive backs should not allow the receiver to make unnecessary yardage by making a futile attempt to break up a pass that will not give the opposition a first down.

24. Defensive backs and linebackers should hustle on every batted ball. Occasionally you can stretch or dive and intercept one.

25. Don’t stand around and watch others if the play goes away from you. We can’t win with inspectors. The football is oddly shaped and erratic. Be ready.

26. Receivers don’t take your eyes off the football when attempting to catch the ball, in order to look at the defender.

27. Quarterbacks and generals should not call plays or defenses that are big names when a sound play or defense will pick up the necessary yardage, or prevent the long gain.

28. Know when to gamble and when not to gamble. If in doubt, see the head coach.

29. Don’t take a chance and throw a block and be called for clipping. A missed block is better than a penalty.

30. Never commit a foul, or be offside, when they are giving you the football.

31. Never substitute yourself on special teams without asking your special team coach.

32. Never let up on an offside play that appears obvious to everyone. Play the play out, always. Don't assume the referee saw the foul.

33. Prepare yourself for a written examination every week on Saturday night. You should be able to score 100% on every test.

34. Punt returners always check the wind before the game and again at halftime. Do not allow the wind to blow a ball over your head and bounce dead.

35. Defensive backs should make a determined effort to intercept low passes. Too many of these go incomplete because the defender thinks he cannot reach the ball.

36. Know the type of crowd and the acoustics in every stadium you play. There are specific parks where audibles are most difficult to hear. For example: Chicago and Baltimore. Do your homework on the ballpark.

37. Be sure to fall on a fumble and recover it in a crowd. Don’t try to pick up a bouncing ball on the run unless you are out in the open. You will get the ball 100% of the time you fall on it, but only 80% of the times you advance it.

38. Return every intercepted pass the designated way we have planned for that opponent. This increases our chances of gaining extra yardage.

39. Always expect a fake field goal attempt and always be alert for the punter to run. Every time.

40. Hustle from one practice area to another when whistled up. Don’t ever be the last one.

41. Every pass thrown by our quarterback must be thrown at a target. This will improve your accuracy, even when warming up aim at a target. For example: numerals, right shoulder, left shoulder, left ear, right ear, etc.

42. The safety man on the kick-off team, the kicker on the punting team and the holder on field goals must always check to see if we have eleven men on all these special teams. Many games have been lost because someone failed to count and only ten players were on the field.

43. Take care of your equipment and don’t throw it around. Don’t dress sloppily for practice, just because it’s practice. Have pride in your appearance every time you go on the field with your team. Always shave your jersey tucked in your pants. Take pride in your appearance.

44. Always check your cleats before every game and make sure that you are wearing the proper type for the condition of the field. If in doubt, see the head coach.

45. Make sure you know the direction of every punt return and kickoff return. Don’t guess. Many games are won or lost in this department.

46. Never miss a weigh in and never be fined for being overweight. This is a lack of self respect.

47. Be careful of your conduct and your associates off the field. Keep in mind that you represent yourself, the League and the Kansas City Chiefs.

48. Be careful of your language on and off the field. Just imagine that your mother or sister is within hearing range. The vulgar talkers are not always so tough.

49. Think and talk positive football off the field.

50. Regarding the clubhouse – let what you hear there, see there and say there, stay there.

51. All players must learn the official playing rules. You have a copy, read it. You will be tested.

52. Your body is your best friend. Don’t abuse it and shorten your playing career.

53. Set a good example for all the rookies and develop pride in being a Chief.

“The only way we can lose is for us to beat OURSELVES”