Chiefs’ Clark Hunt reveals his pregame tradition, which was started by late father, Lamar
The Chiefs will be playing in their seventh straight AFC Championship Game on Sunday, and six have been held at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
That stat is incredible in and of itself, but what makes it all the more astonishing is the Chiefs had played in just one AFC Championship Game before the streak began. And that was on the road.
Chiefs CEO and chairman Clark Hunt on Wednesday was a guest on the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” and talked about the Chiefs’ streak of title-game appearances.
“We went a long time without playing in a conference championship, and the fact that we’re playing in our seventh in a row this year is absolutely amazing,” Hunt said. “Of course, it’s great to be back at Arrowhead after playing in Baltimore last year. We love playing in front of our great fans. It will be a big advantage for us to have our fans cheering us on.
“You know, this one has a little bit of a special feel because of the pursuit of the three-peat. We’re trying to get back to the Super Bowl. We would be the first team to ever make it back after winning two and so it’s a great opportunity for us. We know it will be a huge challenge. We’re playing a great Buffalo Bills football team. So it’s going to be a very special evening.”
The top-seeded Chiefs play host to No. 2-seeded Buffalo on Sunday. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. and the game will air on CBS (KCTV-5 in Kansas City).
Hunt was asked about pregame superstitions he might have, but he said those days are gone. But there is one sweet pregame tradition. It was started by his father, Lamar, who founded the Chiefs. Lamar Hunt, for whom the AFC Championship Game trophy is named, died in 2006.
“We’re not very superstitious,” Hunt said. “I got rid of all my lucky ties when we hired Andy Reid and drafted Patrick Mahomes, we didn’t need those lucky ties. But we do have some traditions as a family. Before each game, we’ll get together and pray as a family.
“And then my parents started a tradition that my wife and I have carried on. They would have a quick kiss before each game. So my wife, Tavia, and I do that before every game, and then we let the guys on the field determine the outcome.”
Here is Hunt’s entire interview on “Good Morning Football.”
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Chiefs’ Clark Hunt reveals his pregame tradition, which was started by late father, Lamar."
