ESPN: Hunt Always Had Common Touch

ByABC News
December 14, 2006, 10:49 AM

Dec. 14, 2006 — -- Lamar Hunt loved cheesecake. Who doesn't? So in his great desire to share during a Chiefs trip to Los Angeles several years ago, Hunt gathered together many dessert-loving Chiefs employees and VIPs in the hotel lobby for a trip to one of his favorite restaurants for cheesecake.

Naturally, the restaurant was packed, but the billionaire had the restaurant employees hopping to find a big table for the Hunt party. Once seated, the Hunt party awaited his order. So did the waiter, figuring he was going to score a big tab. To everyone's surprise, Hunt didn't order the menu. Instead, he ordered several slices of cheesecake and forks for everyone.

That anecdote symbolized Lamar Hunt, who died Wednesday night at age 74 from complications of cancer. He was a billionaire who lived like the common man.

When limos were lined up at the airport awaiting the arrival of dignitaries for an NFL owners' meeting, Hunt would be with reporters at the rental car counter trying to find the right midsize car. Despite coming from one of the country's richest families, Hunt wasn't tainted by his billions. And he was all about sharing.

Tip your forks to a great American sportsman.

As the 1960s began, Hunt's cheesecake was pro football. He tried to get Dallas' NFL expansion franchise but was blocked by George Halas, who favored Clint Murchison. Instead of following the rest of his family, the son of oilman H.L. Hunt wanted to go into the sports business.

Rejected by the NFL, the 27-year old Hunt got a call from Ralph Wilson, the current Buffalo Bills owner. Wilson flew to Dallas for a meeting of the minds. Together, they started "The Foolish Club," a collection of eight owners crazy enough to form the American Football League to compete against the NFL. If you can't join them, try to beat them.

It wouldn't have been the Hunt way to get into football the conventional way. The AFL was an upstart league with bold ideas and modest pockets to pay for them. Hunt gave the league credibility. In times of trouble, he had the money to bail out teams. Being a good sportsman, Hunt once traded the Oakland Raiders a quarterback just because they didn't have one. He wanted a competitive league.