What Clark Hunt said about Chiefs’ investigation of events before Britt Reid DWI crash
In his first comments since former Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid received a three-year prison sentence, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said that the organization investigated the events that preceded Reid driving while intoxicated and causing a crash that critically injured a young girl.
The investigation “showed that there was no gathering of employees, either at the practice facility or (at Arrowhead Stadium), where alcohol was consumed,” Hunt said Monday during a midseason Zoom interview with local reporters. “Beyond that, I really can’t say any more.”
Reid, the son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, had left the team facility moments before the Feb. 4, 2021, crash into two cars parked on an entrance ramp to nearby Interstate 435, court records show.
The two crashes injured five people in the two cars and left then-5-year-old Ariel Young in a coma for 11 days. Young continues to face everyday challenges from the crash. She sat with her family at the Jackson County Courthouse for Reid’s sentencing last week.
After alluding to the Chiefs’ investigation of the events that night, three days before they played in Super Bowl LV, Hunt was asked if the Chiefs had been in compliance with NFL rules (announced in 2007) that prohibit clubs from providing alcoholic beverages in all team settings.
“Yes, that is the NFL rule that no alcohol is consumed at the team facilities,” Hunt said. “And we were in compliance.”
In September, team president Mark Donovan said the team had not changed any protocols within the facility or organization in the aftermath of the crash.
Attempts to reach the NFL for comment on the matter and clarification of the rules have been unsuccessful for several weeks. The NFL has previously stated that after the completion of the legal proceedings, it would address this situation and take any appropriate action.
Asked if he expected any punishment from the NFL, Hunt said, “I’m not expecting anything, no.”
Last year, the Chiefs reached a financial deal with the family to cover Ariel’s ongoing medical treatment and other expenses. Tom Porto, who represents the family, said in a statement at the time that “the parties have finalized a comprehensive care plan that provides Ariel with world-class medical care and long-term financial stability.”
Hunt began his remarks Monday about the crash by saying “our heart and thoughts continue to be with Ariel Young and her family and everybody who was impacted by the accident that evening.”
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 5:32 PM.