Hunt is widely respected in league circles, and was crucial in its current CBA and international growthGETTY IMAGES
The Chiefs on Sunday will play in their first Super Bowl in 50 years, and team Chair & CEO Clark Hunt, who is the "heartbeat of organization," has been "steady and organized and also hard to read, even for those who work for him," according to Sam Mellinger of the K.C. STAR. The narrative in parts of the Chiefs fan base has been that Hunt is "aloof, not around enough, not as invested emotionally or financially in the success of the franchise as his father." That is "hogwash." The narrative in parts of the Chiefs organization has been that the team "would not be where it is without his specific leadership," which is "also hogwash." Hunt was "never the reason the Chiefs failed to make the Super Bowl, and he’s not the reason they’re here now." He hires the "best football people he can find, and then lets them work." Hunt is "widely respected in league circles, and has played important roles in the current CBA and the NFL’s growth internationally." However, in K.C., the "impact always feels a little more vague." Hunt said, "My job is to get everybody to work together. That’s not only on the football side, but also on the business side and making sure the football and business side work well together." Mellinger notes perhaps Hunt's "biggest strength of all" is that he has "never meddled in football decisions, asking only to be updated on processes and plans, supporting them when possible" (K.C. STAR, 1/29).
NEVER ANY DOUBT: Norma Hunt, widow of late Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt, said of how women have gained more prominence as NFL fans, "The idea that a woman wouldn't be into sports has always been just laughable to me, because since I was a young girl, I've been a sports fan." She added, "I do love to see so many women of all ages enjoying the NFL, covering the NFL, working in executive roles and now coaching in the NFL. I think it's fantastic" (K.C. STAR, 1/30).
