The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame & Museum announced on Facebook that Bobby Hunt, an 85-year-old former defensive back who appeared in the first Super Bowl, has passed away. The organization did not disclose when Hunt died or provide a cause of death.
Hunt’s playing career spanned eight years in the American Football League (AFL), during which he never missed a single game. Starting at strong safety for Kansas City in Super Bowl I against the Green Bay Packers, he witnessed the 35-10 loss firsthand, playing the entire contest against a roster featuring Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor and Ray Nitschke.
“The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame mourns the passing of 2015 Inductee Bobby Hunt,” the organization wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Record-Setting Rookie Season
The Dallas Texans chose Hunt with the 81st overall selection during round 11 of the 1962 AFL draft. Converting permanently to safety at the professional level, he opened his career by starting every game and recording eight interceptions — a franchise rookie mark that remained untouched until Marcus Peters equaled it in 2015. Wire services from both major outlets named him a first-team All-AFL performer, and Dallas captured the 1962 AFL championship by defeating Houston in double overtime.
After the franchise relocated to Kansas City and became the Chiefs in 1963, Hunt continued anchoring the secondary. On October 4, 1964, he intercepted George Blanda four times during a 28-7 victory over the Oilers, returning one pick 29 yards for a score. The four-interception game — a Kansas City Chiefs franchise record he shares with Bobby Ply and Deron Cherry — tied the single-game interception mark that still stands across pro football, a record held by a number of players.
“We just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Hunt told The Kansas City Star at the time.
Career Highs and Championship Glory
Hunt reached a career peak in 1966 by recording 10 interceptions, sharing the AFL lead with teammate Johnny Robinson. The Chiefs claimed another AFL title that season, with Hunt recovering a fourth-quarter fumble by Buffalo in the championship game to set up Mike Garrett’s touchdown run during the 31-7 triumph.
That victory earned Kansas City a berth in the inaugural championship contest between the AFL and NFL. Playing the entire game at strong safety, Hunt watched as MVP Bart Starr led Green Bay to victory. According to Hunt’s later recollection, the Chiefs held their own until a second-half interception swung momentum toward the Packers.
Hunt remained with Kansas City through 1967 before Cincinnati selected him in the 1968 expansion draft after the Chiefs left him unprotected. He became the starting free safety for the Bengals and played two seasons with the young franchise before retiring at the end of 1969.
Over his eight-year AFL tenure, Hunt compiled a perfect attendance record. One tally shows he recorded 42 interceptions that he returned for 755 yards and one touchdown, with his 42 picks coming over 112 games and 108 starts.
From Lanett to Auburn
Born August 15, 1940, in Lanett, Alabama, Hunt earned first-team all-state honors as a quarterback and punter at Lanett High School during his senior year. He then attended Auburn University, where he showcased versatility as both a signal-caller and defensive back — predating Bo Jackson’s two-sport dominance by decades.
Hunt played 30 contests for the Tigers across three seasons spanning 1959 through 1961, throwing for 1,185 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 1,046 yards and 14 scores. As a sophomore in 1959, he paced Auburn in passing yards, rushing yards and scoring.
Even rivals took notice. Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant praised the Auburn standout despite their schools’ fierce rivalry.
“He’s just a great football player — that’s all,” Bryant said of Hunt, according to comments cited by AL.com.
Coaching and Beyond
Hunt transitioned to coaching after retiring as a player but did not remain in football long. He spent two seasons coaching defensive backs for the Bills between 1970 and 1971 until a staff change ended his tenure. He subsequently joined the Haggar Apparel Company and made his home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inducted Hunt in 2015 during that year’s ceremony, cementing his place among the state’s greatest athletes decades after his playing days concluded.
