Wife of Chiefs owner hits back at ‘referee favoritism’ claims as Super Bowl 2025 nears

Wife of Chiefs owner hits back at ‘referee favoritism’ claims as Super Bowl 2025 nears

The Chiefs’ current reign of success can be defined by “hard work, belief, and purpose” — not by “referee favoritism.”

That’s the message Tavia Hunt, the wife of Chiefs co-owner and CEO Clark Hunt, shared with her Instagram followers on Monday after Kansas City clinched its third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl as storylines centered on controversial calls falling the team’s way have engulfed their latest playoff run.

“Overwhelmed. That’s the word that comes to mind when we reflect on the lavish grace, favor, and faithfulness of God. I’ve said it before: I don’t think God cares about football, but He cares deeply about people,” Tavia began Monday, hours after the Chiefs topped the Bills in Sunday’s AFC Championship game, 32-29.

Tavia Hunt with husband Clark Hunt, the CEO of the Chiefs. Tavia Hunt/Instagram
Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Clark Hunt celebrate the Chiefs’ AFC Championship win on Jan. 26, 2025. AP

“In 2012, we were broken—winning only 2 games and facing an unimaginable tragedy. It was a humbling, desperate season, and we had nowhere to turn but to God. That brokenness brought us to total dependence on the One who holds it all. We began praying 1 Chronicles 4:10 and committing the team to the Lord. Shortly after, Clark hired Andy Reid, and God brought the Reids to Kansas City at just the right time.”

Weeks before the Chiefs hired Andy Reid as their new coach in January 2013, Kansas City linebacker Jovan Belcher sH๏τ and killed his girlfriend before traveling to Arrowhead Stadium, where he died by suicide in the parking lot in front of then-coach Romeo Crennel and then-general manager Scott Pioli in December 2012.

Reid, who parted ways with the Eagles after 14 seasons, guided the Chiefs to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth in his first year in Kansas City.

It wasn’t until Reid’s seventh season as coach that the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl, with the team winning its first championship in 50 years in February 2020.

Andy Reid and the Chiefs are on the cusp of Super Bowl history with a possible three-peat. Getty Images
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (l.) speaks with Clark and Tavia Hunt. AP

He now has the team on the precipice of NFL history with a chance to three-peat — an opportunity, Tavia believes, is within reach because of the foundation set by Reid and Co.

“What Clark, Andy, [general manager] Brett Veach, [team president] Mark Donovan have built over the past decade is more than a football team. It’s a culture grounded in winning with character, honoring tradition, inspiring our fans and uniting and uplifting our community. This journey is about walking alongside people we love and respect, who inspire fans, unite Kansas City, and honor God through their actions,” Tavia wrote.

“By God’s grace we’ve had success, but it’s not ‘black magic’ or referee favoritism (look at the stats on this) — it’s lots of hard work, belief, and purpose. [Quarterback] Patrick Mahomes leads with humility and puts God first. Marcellus Casey, our team chaplain, pours into players and their families through weekly Bible studies and prayer. Many of our players— [linebacker] Drew [sic] Tranquil, [kicker] Harrison Butker, [defensive tackle] Chris Jones, [linebacker] Nick Bolton, [guard] Trey Smith and more—openly share their faith, lifting each other up on and off the field…”

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A post shared by Tavia Hunt (@taviahunt)

Tavia concluded her message by expressing graтιтude to a higher power and those who have offered support through messages and prayers.

“We appreciate them so much and adore you! XO,” she wrote.

Tavia and her family, which includes daughters Gracie and Ava, and son Knobel, have celebrated the Chiefs’ past two Super Bow triumphs in Phoenix and Las Vegas, respectively.

Kansas City will face the Eagles on Feb. 9 in a rematch of the 2023 championship contest, a 38-35 Chiefs win.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

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