The Kansas City Chiefs announce the passing of captain Norma Hunt
“She was not only the first lady of football – she was first in our hearts.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have announced the death of Norma Hunt, mother of current NFL team president and CEO Clark Hunt and widow of co-founder Lamar Hunt. Norma Hunt was 85 when she died. The team has not released when or how the woman, nicknamed the first woman to play football in the NFL, died. Her death makes her the only woman to attend every Super Bowl. The Hunt family pointed out in a statement Sunday that Super Bowl LVII was his final championship game, a Chiefs victory, the perfect ending to his streak. Norma Hunt was working as a school teacher and hostess for the Dallas Texans when she met Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who died in 2006, five years after he and five others founded the AFL, which would eventually merge with the NFL. The matriarch stayed by her husband’s side for the NFL and AFL merger, but also invested in MLS, World Championship Tennis, the North American Soccer League and the Chicago Bulls, according to a family statement. Hundreds of people, including several former captains, expressed their condolences in the comments section of the Instagram post announcing his death. Among those who commented was his daughter-in-law, Tavia Hunt. “She’s not just the first lady of soccer — she’s first in our hearts. It’s a blessing to love and be loved by her. Thank God for her life and legacy,” said Tavia Hunt. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to Twitter shortly after the news broke to mourn Norma Hunt’s passing. Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged his death directly from the NFL and celebrated his life. “The entire NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Norma Hunt, a significant presence in the NFL for the past seven decades,” Goodell’s statement read in part. “I was fortunate to know Norma for nearly 40 years and was always struck by her warmth and kindness.” Norma’s role in football was recently highlighted in the documentary ‘A Lifetime of Sunday’. Full statement from the Hunt family: “The family is deeply saddened by the passing of our mother, Norma. She was a wonderful mother and an extraordinary woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.” Kind, generous and positive, Amma is one of a kind. Her joy and zest for life was contagious. She loved caring for others and always had an encouraging word. She was a loyal friend, the consummate host and had the rare ability to make everyone she met feel valued and at ease. From the merger of the AFL and NFL to Major League Soccer, World Championship Tennis, the North American Football League and their founding investment in the Chicago Bulls – he was the only one we knew every step of the way. His rivalry was over the game. Whether they were at home or on the field around the world, the two found happiness together.” This February, he attended his 57th and final Super Bowl and watched his beloved leaders hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The third time. The only one to attend every Super Bowl. It’s a fitting conclusion to her series The Woman.” Her quiet and deep faith sustained her throughout her life, and we take great comfort in knowing she is at home with the Lord. By our family, extended leaders and FC Dallas families and everyone who knew her.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have announced the death of Norma Hunt, mother of current NFL team president and CEO Clark Hunt and widow of co-founder Lamar Hunt.
Norma Hunt was 85 when she died.
The team has not released when or how the woman, nicknamed the first woman to play football in the NFL, died.
Her death makes her the only woman to attend every Super Bowl. The Hunt family pointed out in a statement Sunday that Super Bowl LVII was his final championship game, a Chiefs victory, the perfect ending to his streak.
Norma Hunt was working as a school teacher and hostess for the Dallas Texans when she met Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who died in 2006, five years after he and five others founded the AFL, the upstart league that would eventually merge with the NFL.
She sidelined her husband for the merger of the NFL and AFL, but also invested in MLS, World Championship Tennis, the North American Soccer League and the Chicago Bulls, according to a family statement.
Hundreds of people, including several former captains, expressed their condolences in the comments section of the Instagram post announcing his death.
Among those who commented was his daughter-in-law, Tavia Hunt.
“She’s not just the first lady of soccer — she’s first in our hearts. It’s a blessing to love and be loved by her. Thank God for her life and legacy,” said Tavia Hunt.
Shortly after the news broke, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to Twitter to mourn the passing of Norma Hunt.
Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement directly from the NFL, acknowledging his death and celebrating his life.
“The entire NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Norma Hunt, a significant presence in the NFL for the past seven decades,” Goodell’s statement read in part. “I was fortunate to know Norma for nearly 40 years and was always struck by her warmth and kindness.”
Norma’s role in football was recently highlighted in the documentary ‘A Lifetime of Sundays’.
Full statement from the Hunt family:
“Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of our mother Norma. She was a wonderful mother and an extraordinary woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
“Loving, generous, and unfailingly positive, Mom was one of a kind. Her joy and zest for life were infectious. She loved caring for others and always had an encouraging word. She was a loyal friend, the consummate host. A rare ability to make everyone she met feel valued and at ease.
“Mom was steadfastly devoted to her family and passionate about her family’s sports teams. Our father was by Lamar’s side every step of the way, from the merger of the AFL and NFL to the creation of Major League Soccer, World Championship Tennis, the North American Football League, and Their founding investment in the Chicago Bulls. She is the only person we know who rivals his passion for sports. Whether at home or on stadiums around the world, the two have found happiness together.
“This February, she attended her 57th and final Super Bowl and watched her beloved leaders hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the third time. It was a fitting end to her streak as the only woman to attend every Super Bowl.
“Her quiet and deep faith sustained her throughout her life, and we take great comfort in knowing she is in the Lord’s home. She will be greatly missed by our family, extended leaders and FC Dallas families and all who knew her.”
“Friend of animals everywhere. Devoted analyst. Total alcohol scholar. Infuriatingly humble food trailblazer.”