Chiefs legendary S Bobby Hunt dies at 85

Field Level Media|published: Fri 31st July, 21:06 2026

Nov 23, 1969; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Bobby Hunt (10) tackles New York Jets receiver George Sauer (83) at Shea Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bobby Hunt, who started in Super Bowl I, has died at age 85, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame & Museum announced this week.

Neither the cause of Hunt's death nor the date have been released.

Hunt recorded a career-best 10 interceptions in 1966, a season that concluded with the Chiefs losing 35-10 to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl. Overall, he had 42 interceptions in 112 professional games (108 starts) with Kansas City and the Cincinnati Bengals.

He shares the Chiefs franchise record of four interceptions (1964) in a game with Bobby Ply (1962) and Deron Cherry (1985). His 37 interceptions with the Chiefs rank sixth in franchise history.

After being a two-way college player at Auburn, Hunt was drafted in the 11th round (81st overall) in 1962 by the then-Dallas Texans. He had eight interceptions as a rookie and earned first-team American Football League All-Pro Honors.

The Texans then relocated to Kansas City and Hunt had six interceptions for 228 return yards and three fumble recoveries in 1963. One year later, he was a second-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl berth while intercepting seven passes, including the four in one game, returning one of those picks for a touchdown.

He was a second-team All-Pro pick in 1966 when his 10 picks tied for the AFL lead. Only Emmitt Thomas (12 in 1974) has more interceptions in a season in Kansas City history.

Hunt intercepted five passes in 1967, his final campaign with the Chiefs.

Hunt finished his career by playing two seasons for the Bengals, who claimed him in the expansion draft prior to the 1968 season.

At Auburn, Hunt played quarterback and safety. In 1961, Hunt led the Tigers with 703 passing yards and six rushing touchdowns, ranked second with 347 rushing yards and tied for second with three interceptions on defense.

Hunt led Auburn with 552 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground in 1959. He rushed for a then-school single-game rushing mark of 216 yards against Mississippi State that season.

Hunt was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in 2015.

--Field Level Media