Conceived in 1970 and cast in bronze by Harold Phippen Foundryman. The present cast is number 2 from the edition of at least 4. 

“Being so close to the players has opened up a whole new dimension of the game… For the first time I really appreciate the action. The magic moment in football is the second the ball is released for a pass with a blitz on. And the color and spectacle of the game knock me out.”

—Thomas Hart Benton in Sports Illustrated, November 24, 1969

Thomas Hart Benton's football-themed works express the dynamic energy and tension inherent in pivotal moments of the sport. Benton developed a newfound passion for football and the sport's intrinsic vitality as an ardent supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs. In the years leading up to the team's triumphant Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings in 1970, Coach Hank Stram granted the artist access to practices and pregame warm-ups, allowing Benton to sit on the bench and sketch players. Forward Pass freezes a critical moment from the 1970 Super Bowl in time as quarterback Len Dawson cocks his arm back to release the ball. Seated in the pocket, Dawson faces the dilemma of finding an open receiver or confronting the imminent threat of a sack from charging defenders. Dawson symbolizes determination and strategic decision-making, as Benton captures him on the brink of a pivotal play.

Enthralled by the action on the field, Benton translated his sideline sketches and firsthand experiences into football-themed works across various media, starting with sculpture, then paintings, and lastly, prints. Through these various mediums, Benton immortalizes the dynamism, skill, and athleticism of Dawson and the Kansas City Chiefs, paying homage to a sport that captivated the artist later in life.