Frank Pitts
Encyclopedia
Frank H. Pitts is a former professional American football
wide receiver
in the American Football League
(AFL) and the National Football League
(NFL). He played ten seasons for the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs
(1965–1969) and then the NFL's Chiefs
(1970), Cleveland Browns
(1971–1973) and Oakland Raiders
(1974).
, the team's fourth-round draft pick. He had speed and desire, but throughout the wide receiver's first three seasons in Kansas City. he acquired a "bad hands" label. However, he worked through the problem, and when starting
wide receiver Otis Taylor was injured in 1968, Pitts stepped in. He was a starter the next three seasons, and his end around reverse runs became a big part of the Chiefs' offense
.
told the play to Chiefs quarterback
Len Dawson
. "Listen, let's have a ... 9-0-8, 51 G-O reverse." As Dawson ran back to the huddle
, Stram told everyone on the sidelines
, "Here comes the reverse
from Tight I, it could be wide open." Dawson took the snap
, faked to Wendell Hayes
on the left side of the line, then turned the ball to a sprinting Frank Pitts, who turned the corner and jetted down the right sideline for 20 yards. It was one of the biggest plays of the Chiefs' Super Bowl IV
win over the Minnesota Vikings
, and it set up Jan Stenerud
's third field goal
of the game.
Pitts ran the reverse again in the third quarter and picked up a critical first down. Otis Taylor
scored on the next play.
In 74 games for Kansas City, Pitts caught 78 passes for 11 touchdowns and ran the ball 24 times for 238 yards and one touchdown.
before the start of the 1971 season
, where he became one of their starting wide receivers. He finished his career with the Oakland Raiders
.
. Frank is married to Diane Guidy Pitts and they have three children
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
in the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
(AFL) and the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He played ten seasons for the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs
History of the Kansas City Chiefs
The following is a detailed history of the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional American football franchise that began play in 1960 as the Dallas Texans...
(1965–1969) and then the NFL's Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(1970), Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1971–1973) and Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1974).
Kansas City Chiefs
Pitts came to the Chiefs in 19651965 American Football League Draft
-Player selections:-First round:-Second round:-Third round:-Fourth round:-Fifth round:-Sixth round:-Seventh round:-Eighth round:-Ninth round:-Tenth round:-Eleventh round:-Twelfth round:-Thirteenth round:-Fourteenth round:...
, the team's fourth-round draft pick. He had speed and desire, but throughout the wide receiver's first three seasons in Kansas City. he acquired a "bad hands" label. However, he worked through the problem, and when starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
wide receiver Otis Taylor was injured in 1968, Pitts stepped in. He was a starter the next three seasons, and his end around reverse runs became a big part of the Chiefs' offense
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
.
Super Bowl IV
Hank StramHank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
told the play to Chiefs quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
. "Listen, let's have a ... 9-0-8, 51 G-O reverse." As Dawson ran back to the huddle
Huddle
In sport, a huddle is when a team gathers together, usually in a tight circle, to strategise, motivate or celebrate. It is a popular strategy for keeping opponents insulated from sensitive information, and acts as a form of insulation when the level of noise in the venue is such that normal...
, Stram told everyone on the sidelines
Sidelines
The "sidelines" is a term commonly used to define the white or colored lines which mark the outer boundaries of a sports field. American football sidelines, for example, mark the edge of the field. Should a player pass through the sidelines, he is considered out of bounds...
, "Here comes the reverse
Reverse (American football)
A reverse is a relatively common trick play in American football that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play.-Variations:...
from Tight I, it could be wide open." Dawson took the snap
Snap (football)
A snap starts each American football and Canadian football play from scrimmage.-Action:...
, faked to Wendell Hayes
Wendell Hayes
Wendell Hayes is a former Professional Football running back. Wendell played college football at Humboldt State University...
on the left side of the line, then turned the ball to a sprinting Frank Pitts, who turned the corner and jetted down the right sideline for 20 yards. It was one of the biggest plays of the Chiefs' Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV was the fourth AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, and the second one to officially bear the name "Super Bowl"...
win over the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, and it set up Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud is a former professional football player for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs , and the NFL's Chiefs , Green Bay Packers , and Minnesota Vikings .-Background:...
's third field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
of the game.
Pitts ran the reverse again in the third quarter and picked up a critical first down. Otis Taylor
Otis Taylor (American football)
Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs...
scored on the next play.
In 74 games for Kansas City, Pitts caught 78 passes for 11 touchdowns and ran the ball 24 times for 238 yards and one touchdown.
Cleveland and Oakland
The Chiefs traded Pitts to the Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
before the start of the 1971 season
1971 NFL season
The 1971 NFL season was the 52nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl VI when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins...
, where he became one of their starting wide receivers. He finished his career with the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Personal
Frank currently resides in Baton Rouge, LouisianaBaton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. Frank is married to Diane Guidy Pitts and they have three children