Meeting Lamar Hunt. Share your stories here.

[BigRedChief]

I'm at a Red Friday function a couple of years ago. I'm getting autographs of the players on my football. I turn around and there's Lamar Hunt all by himself. He asks where would I like him to sign it. I point to where Id like him to sign it and he says why would you want me to sign it there? Don't you want to get someone to sign in that spot that’s good? I said there’s no one better than you Mr. Hunt. He smiled and said okay then and signed the ball. We talked for about 30 seconds or so. He asked what I thought of the Chiefs chances this year and when he left he said it was good to meet me and hope you have fun at the games this year.

I have a lot of respect for Dick Vermeil's ability to cultivate relationships. The guy has built an entire career on that extraordinary talent. But each time I had the opportunity to interact with him, it felt strained - like maybe he wasn't very happy to be there. I'm sharing this with all due respect.

Lamar was always gracious, every time I spoke with him. We weren't buddies and I question whether he'd even recognize my name, but I had the pleasure several times.

I'm not the kind of guy who is star struck, so I never approached him in an uncomfortable situation but I saw many people who did. Lamar treated each one of them with as much respect as they did for him. So many times we eulogize the dead with a solitary moment of how they reacted to a situation on their very best day. It's usually a token compliment because we're obliged to make nice at such a time. Not so for Lamar Hunt - he was a man of strong character despite the silver spoon. If Clark brings half his father's positive traits to the table, this franchise is in good hands for the foreseeable future.

[Carlota69]

A few years back, I was in KC interviewing for a job at KQRC. The PD at the time took me all over the city, including Arrowhead. It was a Saturday and no one was around and we tried to get in and walk the grounds, but a security guard wouldn't let us. As we are walking away, i just about knocked this little due to the ground. I reached out and grabbed him so he wouldn't hit the pavement. It was Lamar. I apologized immediately and he smiled at me and said "No problem. I'm ok"

Gracious is a word used alot in describing Lamar. My little experience with him would confirm that.

[ChiefsCountry]

I posted this early but its worth repeating. I met him when I was a baby, my family used to do business with the Chiefs, mainly with Jack Steadman but they got to know Lamar as well. Well my grandpa sent him a picture of me all decked out in Chiefs gear, well he got back a hand written letter bascially about me. One of my most treasured possessions.

[BigRedChief]

I heard on the radio that he has owned 12% of the Chicago Bulls for years but has never met Michael Jordan.

[tk13]

This is a great thread. That's the neatest thing... reading all these different message boards, articles, columns... everybody literally has a different story, and they're all fantastic. Lamar was such a nice man, we should all strive to be so kind.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by tk13

This is a great thread. That's the neatest thing... reading all these different message boards, articles, columns... everybody literally has a different story, and they're all fantastic. Lamar was such a nice man, we should all strive to be so kind.

How many of us would be as nice as he was to everyone if we were worth a half a billion?

[Hammock Parties]

This is as close as I ever got to Lamar Hunt:

[boogblaster]

Never meet him but my friend worked for him in his quarry business..said every year Mr Hunt really laid out the spread for them and treated them to a free pre-season game and party...

[Halfcan]

Never got to meet Mr. Hunt, but I am glad he was our Owner. What a class act.

[greg63]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Never got to meet Mr. Hunt, but I am glad he was our Owner. What a class act.

Yep!

[RINGLEADER]

Thanks for starting this thread. I've wanted to share this story since I heard the sad news and this seems like the best place to put it.

I've been involved with various Chiefs and Chiefs-player charities over the years and eventually met Lamar in a fairly formal gathering. He was a great guy as all the news reports and interviews are reinforcing. But my Lamar story comes from an earlier time before I was involved with the team.

I was at a game with my son - it probably was the first I took him to but I can't say for sure anymore. He was young enough where I didn't feel comfortable leaving him by himself when nature called. After he did his duty we stopped by the concession stand and a nice elderly man struck up the kind of conversation u'd expect between someone who's 65+ and someone going on 6. He asked my son if he was having a good time and all, I exchanged a few words with this fellow fan about how they were playing that day and eventually bought my food.

As I was talking to him, however, my eyes drifted down to his shoes which were worn out - the tops of his toes visible through large holes. What an odd - yet very nice man I thought.

It wasn't until after I had paid and was escorting my son away that I noticed the phalanx of security surrounding him. Then it hit me who he was.

To this day I don't know if those were lucky shoes, if he lost a bet, or his luggage was lost but it's something that I won't ever forget.

God bless Lamar.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

Thanks for starting this thread. I've wanted to share this story since I heard the sad news and this seems like the best place to put it.

I've been involved with various Chiefs and Chiefs-player charities over the years and eventually met Lamar in a fairly formal gathering. He was a great guy as all the news reports and interviews are reinforcing. But my Lamar story comes from an earlier time before I was involved with the team.

I was at a game with my son - it probably was the first I took him to but I can't say for sure anymore. He was young enough where I didn't feel comfortable leaving him by himself when nature called. After he did his duty we stopped by the concession stand and a nice elderly man struck up the kind of conversation u'd expect between someone who's 65+ and someone going on 6. He asked my son if he was having a good time and all, I exchanged a few words with this fellow fan about how they were playing that day and eventually bought my food.

As I was talking to him, however, my eyes drifted down to his shoes which were worn out - the tops of his toes visible through large holes. What an odd - yet very nice man I thought.

It wasn't until after I had paid and was escorting my son away that I noticed the phalanx of security surrounding him. Then it hit me who he was.

To this day I don't know if those were lucky shoes, if he lost a bet, or his luggage was lost but it's something that I won't ever forget.

God bless Lamar.

Cool Story

[stevieray]

I had the honor of meeting Lamar formally at the 101 Banquet two years ago...I love the smile on his face. He and his wife were both so casual, it almost takes you by surprise. I'll never forget that night as long as I live. I saw him a few of more times, once at the pride in your ride contest, and walking through the parking lot before games.

This man was special.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I had the honor of meeting Lamar formally at the 101 Banquet two years ago...I love the smile on his face. He and his wife were both so casual, it almost takes you by surprise. I'll never forget that night as long as I live. I saw him a few of more times, once at the pride in your ride contest, and walking through the parking lot before games.

This man was special.

You look good but that other dude has way too much Texan in him