Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt and his wife, Tavia, are grieving the loss of Clark’s young cousin, 9-year-old Janie Hunt, who tragically died in a flash flood at Camp Mystic in Wimberley, Texas, on July 4.
Jan 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs Clark Hunt looks on before the AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs Clark Hunt looks on before the AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
It was Janie’s first time attending the summer camp. That evening, the Guadalupe River rapidly surged over 26 feet in under an hour, sweeping through the area with little warning. Entire cabins were destroyed, and campers like Janie were caught in the chaos.
On July 6, Tavia shared her sorrow on Instagram, offering a raw and emotional reflection on their family’s heartbreak.
“Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of so many lives — including a precious little Hunt cousin,” she wrote.
“How do we trust a God who is supposed to be good, all knowing and all powerful, but who allows such terrible things to happen — even to children?”
Clark Hunt, wife
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and wife Tavia Hunt during the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ten days later, following Janie’s memorial, Tavia returned to social media to post a moving tribute.
“Yesterday held the sweetest, most uplifting and God-honoring service celebrating Janie’s life,” she captioned a post that included several photos from the service.
Janie was one of 82 people confirmed dead in the flooding, which also claimed the lives of five other children and the camp’s director. More than 40 people remain missing, as search and rescue operations continue.
Clark Hunt’s Chiefs and the NFL Respond with Generous Support
In response to the tragedy, Clark Hunt and his family have committed resources to help other families affected by the floods. Teaming up with FC Dallas — the MLS club also owned by the Hunt family — the Kansas City Chiefs pledged $500,000 toward relief and recovery efforts in Central Texas.
The donation will go toward urgent aid, ongoing trauma services, and support for families mourning the loss of loved ones — including the Hunts themselves.
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Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt (right) and daughter Gracie Hunt arrive on the red carpet at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The relief effort was also supported by other Texas soccer clubs from Austin and Houston, as well as the MLS league office.
Other NFL teams soon followed.
The Houston Texans, led by Cal, Hannah, and Janice McNair, also committed $500,000. The Dallas Cowboys matched that donation and partnered with The Salvation Army to deliver immediate assistance. Their effort was matched again by the NFL Foundation, bringing that total to $1.5 million.
Elsewhere, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, through his family foundation, contributed $500,000, while the Minnesota Vikings’ ownership group — Mark, Zygi, and Leonard Wilf — gave the same amount and expressed sympathy to affected families.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft made a separate donation of $10,000, showing solidarity with the ongoing recovery.
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Yelle is a broadcast communications graduate from the University of Perpetual Help-Dalta and has pursued a career in television and news writing inNet 25 andRadyo Agila. Some of her works can also be seen through her previous publication inFastbreak.com.ph.