Before miracle win over Broncos, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt prayed with fans at Arrowhead
Before the Chiefs pulled off that thrilling win at home against the Denver Broncos Sunday, a group of fans huddled with team CEO Clark Hunt and his family — and prayed.
“Sundays are for Jesus and football!” Hunt’s wife, Tavia Hunt, posted on her Instagram before the game.
For 10 seasons now, the Chiefs have held nondenominational church services before Sunday noon games at Arrowhead for fans.
The Hunts, along with daughter Gracie Hunt, joined members of Chiefs Kingdom for pregame worship Sunday in the Faith and Family Chapel, set up inside the Pavilion next to the stadium.
Team chaplain Marcellus Casey greeted worshipers, most wearing Chiefs gear. Hunt, ever the CEO, wore a suit.
Casey gave a shoutout to Life Church of East Kansas City, which has hosted the services the last few years.
“They set up our sound, they help us with the chairs,” he said. “They facilitate this service. Their church is about five minutes from here. So if you live in the area we would love to have you all visit.”
Hunt began offering the services for fans who might miss their own Sunday services because they’re at Arrowhead instead. Fans are promised they’ll get to their seats before kickoff.
The Hunts, who are Christian, run an NFL franchise with a strong faith foundation.
Gracie’s pregame ritual includes showing her Instagram followers the prayer cards Casey hands out to the team on game days.
Sunday’s card quoted Psalm 126:6, a message of hope that times of trouble do no last: “Though a man goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his harvest.”
Before Sunday’s service, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, backup QB, Carson Wentz and tight end Noah Gray all shared Casey’s Instagram announcement that the 45-minute service — with coffee and doughnuts — would begin two hours before kickoff.
“Most important!!!” Gray emphasized.
“God’s word while tailgating. Chiefs fans check it out,” Wentz encouraged his followers on Instagram, where he describes himself as a “Christ follower.”
“Kicked off the day with worship at the Faith and Family Chapel at Arrowhead, and now we’re ready to keep that 8-0 streak alive! Let’s go, Chiefs!” Tavia wrote on her Instagram before the team pulled off a stunning victory that begged to be called a sports miracle.
After blocking a 35-yard Denver field goal in the final seconds, pushing the defending Super Bowl champs to 9-0, linebacker Leo Chenal did some worshiping of his own.
“Glory to Jesus Christ and everything because I was really praying for something to happen,” he said.
There are no more Chiefs church services planned this season.
A team spokesman said Tuesday no services will be offered before the next noon home game against the Houston Texans, since it’s on a Saturday, Dec. 21.
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