Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt is part of a group that is committing $500,000 to support relief and recovery efforts around the massive flooding event that ravaged Central Texas on July 4, killing at least 120 people with many more missing.
Hunt, who also is chairman and CEO of the FC Dallas club of Major League Soccer, is joined in the donation by owners from the Houston Dynamo and FC Austin, as well as the league itself.
“Our family is devastated by the tragedy in Central Texas,” Hunt said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to those grieving — in particular, to the parents who lost children, those who lost family members, and the far-too-many who have lost friends, neighbors, and loved ones.
“This has shaken our community to its core. Today, along with our MLS partners, my brother and I are humbled to support those directly assisting the victims of this unimaginable tragedy. In the wake of such sadness, we are awed by the hearts of our fellow Texans, and we are grateful for the true community leaders — in boats, helicopters or trucks filled with food — who are showing up for their neighbors in need.”
The Hunt family has been touched by the tragedy in a personal way. Among the victims is 9-year-old Janie Hunt, who was the great-granddaughter of the late billionaire William Herbert Hunt. He was the brother of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, Clark’s father.
Clark’s brother, Dan Hunt, is Dallas FC’s president and is also part of the Chiefs’ ownership group.
“The FC Dallas family is heartbroken over the disaster in Central Texas,” Dan Hunt said. “We are grieving alongside the families and communities who are living through the unimaginable right now.”
The search for more than 170 people still missing from the flooding disaster continued for a sixth day on Wednesday. There are 161 known to be missing in Kerr County, 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Other sports organizations have made contributions to relief efforts. The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the NFL Foundation have each donated $500,000.
The Minnesota Vikings also donated $500,000.
From the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, along with the NBA Players Association, have donated at least $2 million toward recovery efforts.
Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers and Houston Astros have each donated $1 million, as well.