Jerry Mays (defensive lineman)

Jerry Mays (born July 29, 1939, in Dallas, Texas, died October 17, 1994, in Shawnee Mission, Kansas) was a professional American football player who played defensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL).

Mays played college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he was an All-American. He was drafted by both the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL and the Dallas Texans of the AFL in 1961. He chose to sign with the Texans, who later became the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mays was a key member of the Chiefs defense that dominated the AFL in the 1960s. He played in six AFL All-Star games and was named to the All-AFL team five times. He helped the Chiefs win three AFL championships (1962, 1966, and 1969) and Super Bowl IV in 1970, where they defeated the Minnesota Vikings.

Mays was known for his toughness, strength, and relentless pursuit of the quarterback. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. His jersey number, 81, is retired by the Kansas City Chiefs.