The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos last Sunday when they blocked a field goal attempt as time ran out in what many have called a miracle finish. It may have been a literal answer to prayer, because a group of fans prayed with CEO Clark Hunt and his family before the game.
“Sundays are for Jesus and football!” Hunt’s wife, Tavia, posted on her Instagram before the game.
For 10 seasons, the Chiefs have held nondenominational church services for fans before Sunday noon games at Arrowhead. The Hunts, along with daughter Gracie, joined fans for pregame worship Sunday in the Faith and Family Chapel, set up inside the pavilion next to the stadium.
Team chaplain Marcellus Casey gave a shoutout to Life Church of East Kansas City, which has hosted the services the last few years. “They set up our sound, they help us with the chairs,” he said. “They facilitate this service. Their church is about five minutes from here. So if you live in the area, we would love to have you all visit.”
The Hunts, who are Christian, run an NFL franchise with a strong faith foundation.
Gracie’s pregame ritual includes showing her Instagram followers the prayer cards Casey hands out to the team on game days. Sunday’s card quoted Psalm 126:6, a message of hope that times of trouble do not last: “Though a man goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his harvest,” the “Kansas City Star” reported.
Before Sunday’s service, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, backup quarterback Carson Wentz and tight end Noah Gray all shared Casey’s Instagram announcement that the 45-minute service — with coffee and doughnuts — would begin two hours before kickoff.
“Most important!!!” Gray emphasized.
“God’s word while tailgating. Chiefs fans check it out,” Wentz encouraged his followers on Instagram, where he describes himself as a “Christ follower.”
“Kicked off the day with worship at the Faith and Family Chapel at Arrowhead, and now we’re ready to keep that 8-0 streak alive! Let’s go, Chiefs!” Tavia wrote on her Instagram before the team pulled off a stunning victory that begged to be called a sports miracle.
After blocking a 35-yard Denver field goal in the final seconds, pushing the defending Super Bowl champs to 9-0, linebacker Leo Chenal did some worshiping of his own. “Glory to Jesus Christ and everything, because I was really praying for something to happen,” he said.
–Alan Goforth