Many might recognize Len Dawson from his notorious photo of him enjoying a soft drink and smoking a cigarette during the halftime of Super Bowl I. But while that image be bizarre in regards to today's societal standards, it was nothing but a regular championship Sunday halftime for those playing and those watching during Dawson's era of pro football. While that image might be ingrained into the heads of many, Dawson was one of the greatest competitors of his era. Hailing from Alliance, Ohio, Dawson played his college ball at Purdue University for three seasons, throwing over 3,000 and leading the Big Ten Conference. Dawson also served as the team's kicker and played on the defensive side of the ball as well.
After becoming a dominant force in the Big Ten Conference, Len Dawson was drafted 5th overall in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Dawson was unable to become a staple quarterback with the team after the Steelers acquired the more established Bobby Layne in 1958. From 1960 to 1961, Lawson spent a short time with the Cleveland Browns before finding a home with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs where he would earn his keep as a Hall of Fame quarterback. In his first season with the team, Dawson would be named AFL MVP after leading the league in touchdowns. Dawson would also lead the Texans/Chiefs to three AFL Championships (1962, 1966, and 1969) while racking up six AFL All-Star honors. Dawson also participated in the first-ever Super Bowl but fell short to the Green Bay Packers. Three years later, Dawson led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl IV over the Minnesota Vikings where he was also named Super Bowl MVP for his performance.
Wondering where to go in 2020 for an amazing deal, to beat the crowds, or for a truly once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? These destinations are on travel addicts’ radar for rightfully hyped 2020 events, new offerings, and recent developments that make them a must-visit right now.
On top of the majestic scenery its long been known for, Montana is a newly trendy nature getaway celebrated for its expanding luxury hotel scene, culinary offerings, and shop-local boutiques, according to an American Express study detailing where cardholders are traveling in 2020. But Montana is also about to get more accessible than ever before thanks to emerging flight routes sure to stir up competition. Launching two brand-new seasonal routes to Big Sky country, American Airlines will fly from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana, beginning mid-year and continuing through Labor Day. Take advantage of the new direct route before the secret gets out, and so that they’ll continue next year.
One of the cities featured in Booking.com’s travel trends for 2020, Urugay’s capital Montevideo is a stable and LGBT-friendly destination to visit in South America—a continent that’s seen dips in tourism of late thanks to political instability in travel destinations like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Travelers identified the city as a trending travel destination for anyone seeking an immersive, one-stop escape; according to the study, “over half (54 percent) of global travelers say they want to go on one long trip to a place that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together.” Montevideo’s offerings include beaches, nightlife, markets, theaters, culinary prowess, and festive Gay Pride Day celebrations in September.
Europe’s intensely overtouristed spots (Venice, Barcelona, Santorini) have new Eastern European hotspots to thank for stealing away some of the spotlight: Romania is making a name for itself as one of the top five most trending Airbnb booking destinations for 2020. The nation that’s home to Transylvania, Dracula’s castle, and well-preserved medieval towns nestled among rolling hills has seen a 298 percent annual increase in Airbnb bookings.