(Sad Update: Lamar Hunt has passed away) Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt fighting for life

AP Via FoxSports ^ | 12-12-06 | AP

[Dysart]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Lamar Hunt was fighting for his life in a Dallas hospital Tuesday, and friends and family of the 74-year-old pioneer of the modern NFL were hoping for "miracles."

Hunt has battled cancer for several years and was hospitalized the day before Thanksgiving with a partially collapsed lung. Doctors discovered that the cancer has since spread, and Hunt has been under heavy sedation since last week.

"They're trying to make him as comfortable as possible," said Carl Peterson, president and general manager of Hunt's Kansas City Chiefs. "He's battling a very courageous fight. We'll continue to hope that miracles will happen."

The son of Texas oilman H.L. Hunt tried unsuccessfully to buy an NFL team in the late 1950s, and when continually rebuffed, he persuaded several other wealthy sportsmen to form the American Football League to compete with the NFL.

His Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City in 1963 and became the Chiefs. Several years later, the NFL was forced to merge with Hunt's successful AFL, and the modern league was born.

Long an eloquent spokesman for the league and for small-market teams such as Kansas City, Hunt in 1972 became the first AFL figure inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The AFC championship trophy is named after him and, coincidentally, it was Hunt who gave the Super Bowl its name.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Seemed to me he always had a twinkle in his eye and would be a person easy to talk to unlike many influential people.

I was surprised at how easy he was to talk with. I wasn't a bit uncomfortable, nor was he. Since I am not someone who rubs elbows with the wealthy on a regular basis, I was expecting to be brushed aside. He was very cordial, and even asked about my opinion about the team and the stadium! He wanted to know if there was anything that I felt needed to be improved upon.

I usually refer to him as Mr Hunt as a sign of respect for a good man.

Ditto that. :)

[Ohioan from Florida]

I strive to be as decent and thoughtful as he was.

He is a good person to emulate! It would be wonderful for us all to aspire to be a bit more like him in that regard!

[Humidston]

I know a man who went to college (SMU) with Lamar. My friend loves telling the story of the day Lamar borrowed a small amount of money from him. It seems Lamar's millionaire dad made sure his boys grew up on a tight budget, just as he did.

And no, Lamar didn't pay my friend back. Truth be told, the amount was less than $5.00 and my friend enjoyed a good chuckle over the "debt." Plus he enjoys telling the story.

We'll all pray that Lamar has a peaceful journey. He's a fine man and a true Southern gentleman.