On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced plans to honor the life and legacy of Norma Knobel Hunt. The matriarch of the Hunt Family passed away June 4, 2023, and will be remembered as a loyal wife, loving mother and passionate football fan.
During the 2023 season, players will don a commemorative patch on home and road Chiefs jerseys featuring Norma's initials – "NKH" – in gold lettering at the center of a football. The patch will be worn on the right side of the jersey, serving as a perfect partner to the patch on the jersey's left side honoring Lamar Hunt and the American Football League. The existing left-side patch was commissioned by the Hunt Family in 2007, and features Lamar's initials, "LH," at the center of a football. These patches will serve as a visual representation of Norma's partnership with Lamar, now embodied in the Chiefs franchise.
Honoring Norma Hunt
The matriarch of the Hunt Family and the Kansas City Chiefs, Norma Hunt left an indelible mark as a wife, mother and friend. Her zest for life and her passion for Chiefs football live on in the hearts and minds of Chiefs Kingdom. Throughout the 2023 season, the Chiefs will wear a patch in her honor, celebrating the life and legacy of the First Lady of Pro Football.
In addition, the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs today announced the creation of the Norma Hunt Super Bowl Champion of Education program. Beginning with Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, each year one female educator will be selected to attend the game and be honored for their commitment to education, their dedication in the classroom and their selfless service to the next generation of students.
The program honors Norma's passion for education, her lifelong love of football and her renowned Super Bowl attendance streak. Norma was the only woman to attend every Super Bowl – from Super Bowl I when the Chiefs faced the Green Bay Packers, to Super Bowl LVII when the Chiefs hoisted the third Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
"My family and I are so proud to honor our mother's life and legacy this season," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "My mom loved football, and she loved the Chiefs. She also believed in the power of sports to unite communities, and the impact sports can have on young people. While it will be difficult to begin football season without her, we look forward to continuing her legacy of attending every Super Bowl with the creation of the Norma Hunt Super Bowl Champion of Education program."
Norma began her career as a high school teacher. After earning a degree in secondary education from North Texas State University in 1960, she returned to her alma mater at Richardson High School (Richardson, Texas) to serve as an American history teacher. She met Lamar in 1963, and the two were married for more than 40 years.
The team will commemorate Norma's life at a halftime ceremony during the NFL Kickoff Game tonight, when the Chiefs face the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (7:20 p.m CT. on NBC).
Norma Hunt was a pioneer within the sport of football. But most importantly, she was a generous, positive, & passionate woman, dedicated to her family and the sports teams they all love. The Chiefs organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Norma Hunt. Our thoughts & prayers are with the entire Hunt family.
