Tyrer signed with the American Football League's Dallas Texans in 1961. He played 13 years with that franchise, which became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, helping set the standard for his position at left offensive tackle. His 14th and final season was with the Washington Redskins under head coach George Allen, who preferred veteran players. Tyrer was traded from the Chiefs in late August 1974 for three draft picks. Tyrer was named AFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1969. He and Ed Budde at guard made a powerful left side. In Super Bowl IV, Tyrer and Budde opened holes for Chiefs running backs against the Minnesota Vikings' opposing defensive linemen Jim Marshall and Alan Page, respectively, gaining 151 yards on 42 carries and 122 net passing yards in the team's upset 23–7 victory. Tyrer was an anchor of Texans/Chiefs' line and was selected as The Sporting News'' AFL All-League tackle eight consecutive years, from 1962 through 1969. He was an AFL Western Division All-Star seven times, in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969 before also capturing a pair of All-AFC accolades in 1970–71. His efforts in the upstart league would result in his selection to the American Football League All-Time Team. At the retirement press conference for former Chief linemate Dave Hill in Kansas City in June 1975, Tyrer also announced his retirement. Tyrer's playing credentials compare favorably with NFL linemen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, however several factors evidently mitigate against his induction:
The murder of his wife and Tyrer's subsequent suicide on September 15, 1980.
many of his teammates have been inducted, and selectors tend to shy away from enshrining too many from the same team; and
modern selectors may have little knowledge of the American Football League, or believe it was an inferior league.
Remaining in the Kansas City area following his retirement, Tyrer turned down an opportunity to serve as a scout for the Chiefs. He then spent the next three years as a salesman before tiring of the constant travel and investing in a tire business. However, a mild winter proved to be financially disastrous for Tyrer, who moved on to work for Amway.
Death
This series of business misfortunes culminated in the early hours of September 15, 1980, when Tyrer, a father of four, shot and killed his wife Martha, then committed suicide by turning the gun on himself. The day before, he had attended a Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium with his ten-year-old son Jason.
