| 1982 Kansas City Chiefs season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Lamar Hunt |
| General manager | Jim Schaaf |
| Head coach | Marv Levy |
| Home field | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 3–6 |
| Conference place | 11th AFC |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | 3
|
| AP All-Pros | None |
The 1982 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's strike-shortened 13th season in the National Football League and the 23rd overall.
In May 1982, running back Joe Delaney underwent surgery to repair a detached retina in his eye, a radical procedure at the time.[1] Optimism abounded at Arrowhead Stadium thanks to the club's promising 9–7 record from 1981, but swelling labor unrest from NFL players spelled doom for both the Chiefs and Levy in 1982. The Chiefs split their first two games of the year before a 57-day strike by the NFL Players Association began at midnight on September 20. The strike concluded on November 17 after seven games were canceled and one was rescheduled, but the Chiefs would never recover, losing four straight games after their return to the field.[1] Center Jack Rudnay, who had been one of the franchise's most durable and decorated offensive performers over the past decade, announced on December 20 that he would retire after the season. The Chiefs finished the strike-shortened season at 3–6. Following the season, head coach Marv Levy was fired after going 31–42 in five seasons with zero playoff appearances.[1]