LOS ANGELES \u2013 Warren McVea, the speedy running back who was the first Black player to receive a football scholarship to a major Texas school and later helped Kansas City win its first Super Bowl title, died Sunday after a long illness. He was 79.<\/p>\n
McVea\u2019s daughter, Tracey Ellis, said he died at home in Los Angeles surrounded by family members.<\/p>\n
From San Antonio, McVea starred at the University of Houston before joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968 in the American Football League.<\/p>\n
McVea moved to Kansas City the following season, with the Chiefs going on to beat Minnesota 23-7 in the Super Bowl. He had 12 carries for 26 yards against the Vikings. In five NFL seasons, he had 2,552 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Under coach Bill Yeoman at Houston, McVea \u2014 called \u201cWondrous Warren\u201d \u2014 had a school-record 3,009 all-purpose yards in 1966. In the first football game played on artificial turf, he had a 99-yard scoring catch against Washington State.<\/p>\n
In high school in San Antonio, McVea led Brackenridge to a state title as a junior in 1962. He also starred in track and field as a sprinter.<\/p>\n
McVea served time in prison in the 1990s into 2000 on drug charges.<\/p>\n
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