Norma Hunt, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs founder and former owner Lamar Hunt, has died at the age of 85 the franchise announced Sunday.
The cause of death of the woman dubbed the ‘First Lady of Football’ by many is currently unknown.
Norma, the mother of the NFL team’s current owner Clark, was the only woman to attend every Super Bowl and watched her beloved Chiefs hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the third time in February.
She was by her husband’s side throughout his many sporting ventures from the merger of the AFL and the NFL to the formation of Major League Soccer, World Championship Tennis, the North American Soccer League, and their founding investment in the Chicago Bulls.
In a statement from the Hunt family, released by the NFL franchise, Norma was described as kind, generous and unfailingly positive.
Norma Hunt the wife of Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, has died
The ‘First Lady of Football’ was by her husband Lamar’s (right) through his sporting ventures
Norma was the mother of the NFL franchise’s current owner, Clark (pictured right)
The statement read: ‘Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of our mother, Norma. She was a wonderful mother and an extraordinary woman who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Kind, generous and unfailingly positive, mom was one of a kind. Her joy and zeal for life were infectious. She loved caring for others, and she always had an encouraging word. She was a loyal friend, the consummate hostess and she had a rare ability to make everyone she encountered feel valued and at ease.
Mom was steadfastly devoted to her family and fiercely passionate about her family’s sports teams. She was by our father Lamar’s side every step of the way – from the merger of the AFL and the NFL to the formation of Major League Soccer, World Championship Tennis, the North American Soccer League, and their founding investment in the Chicago Bulls. She was the only person we knew who rivaled his love of sports. The two of them found such joy together, whether at home, or in stadium stands around the world.
‘[…] Her quiet yet deep faith sustained her throughout her life, and we take great comfort knowing that she is home with the Lord. She will be greatly missed by our family, the extended Chiefs and FC Dallas families, and by everyone who knew her.’
The NFL also honored the ‘First Lady of Football’ with Commissioner Roger Goodell paying tribute to Norma in a statement released Sunday evening.
’The entire NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Norma Hunt, who was a significant presence in the NFL for the last seven decades,’ Goodell said.
‘Norma’s role in football was highlighted recently in the documentary appropriately entitled ‘A Lifetime of Sundays.’ Norma’s place in NFL history will forever be remembered by the Chiefs’ organization and the entire league.’
‘We extend our deepest condolences to Clark and the entire Hunt family, and the many people whose lives she impacted during her remarkable life.’
Norma attended her 57th Super Bowl in February to watch the Chiefs lift the Lombardi Trophy
She joined her son Clark, his wife Tavia and granddaughter Gracie at the parade
Norma walks on the sidelines ahead of Super Bowl 54 between the Chiefs and 49ers
The Chiefs matriarch celebrates their win over San Francisco in the NFL showdown in 2020
Norma was working as a schoolteacher and hostess for the Dallas Texans when she met Lamar Hunt in 1964, five years after he and other members of ‘The Foolish Club’ founded the AFL.
She and Lamar married later that year and went on to have two children – current Chiefs owner Clark and Daniel.
Lamar moved the Texans to Kansas City and renamed them the Chiefs and the upstart league eventually merged with the NFL.
Lamar, who died in 2006, also coined the term ‘Super Bowl’ for the league’s championship game and has the AFC Championship trophy named after him.
The Hunt family were also pivotal in a different type of football – soccer.
Lamar was key to the bid to bring the World Cup to the US and his leadership also influenced the creation of MLS.
The Hunt family were also pivotal in a different type of football – soccer
The Hunts stepped to the forefront of US soccer in 1996 by becoming a charter investor in Major League Soccer.
Lamar took over the operations of FC Dallas in 2003 with his youngest son Dan now serving as president and chairman of the soccer club.
The tributes from the sporting world for Norma came pouring in Sunday.
Chiefs Super Bowl winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted: ‘Mrs. Norma was the best. Glad to be a part of this special organization she help build. She will be missed! Prayers to the entire Hunt family.’
The tributes from the sporting world, including Patrick Mahomes, for Norma came pouring in
The Las Vegas Raiders shared a statement mourning the loss, hailing Norma as a ‘great woman who will be sorely missed by the Entire NFL community.’
‘Norma was devoted and passionate about the Chiefs and Lamar Hunt’s vision for the American Football League.’ the statement added. ‘The Hunt family’s role in the formation of the AFL was monumental in the history of sports. The heartfelt condolences of the Raider nation are with Clark and the entire Hunt family at this time.’
Elsewhere around the league, the Denver Broncos tweeted: ‘Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the Hunt family, the entire Chiefs organization and all of Chiefs Kingdom.’
Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayles shared a post, reading: ‘RIP Norma Hunt. Knew her and her husband Lamar well. Good people. Condolences to Clark and the family. Sad day.’
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