Chiefs players will wear a special patch honoring the late Norma Hunt this season

During Thursday’s NFL Kickoff Game, Chiefs fans may notice the team’s jerseys have a different look.

Starting with the game against the Lions, the Chiefs will wear a jersey patch in honor of the late Norma Hunt, who passed away on June 4. She was the wife of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt and the mother of CEO/chairman Clark Hunt.

Norma Hunt attended every Super Bowl, seeing the Chiefs win the big game three times.

“During the 2023 season, players will don a commemorative patch on home and road Chiefs jerseys featuring Norma’s initials – NKH – in gold lettering at the center of a football,” the Chiefs wrote in a news release. “The patch will be worn on the right side of the jersey, serving as a perfect partner to the patch on the jersey’s left side honoring Lamar Hunt and the American Football League. ... These patches will serve as a visual representation of Norma’s partnership with Lamar, now embodied in the Chiefs franchise.”

Here’s a look at the patch, which will be worn all season.

The Chiefs also announced they had joined the NFL in creating the “Norma Hunt Super Bowl Champion of Education program.” One female educator will be honored for their work each year with a trip to the Super Bowl.

That will start in February with Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

“My family and I are so proud to honor our mother’s life and legacy this season,” Clark Hunt said in a news release. “My mom loved football, and she loved the Chiefs. She also believed in the power of sports to unite communities, and the impact sports can have on young people. While it will be difficult to begin football season without her, we look forward to continuing her legacy of attending every Super Bowl with the creation of the Norma Hunt Super Bowl Champion of Education program.”

Rookie patches

Thursday will be a special night for Chiefs defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

The former Lee’s Summit High School star will be making his NFL debut when the Chiefs face the Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Anudike-Uzomah, who was the Chiefs’ first-round pick out of Kansas State in this year’s NFL Draft, is one of nine rookies on Kansas City’s roster.

The others are: defensive tackle Keondre Coburn, defensive back Chamarri Conner, linebacker Cam Jones, cornerback Nic Jones, offensive lineman Wanya Morris, wide receiver Rashee Rice, cornerback Darius Rush and defensive end BJ Thompson.

The NFL announced Wednesday rookies will wear special patches that say “NFL PREM1ERE”

Any rookie who makes their NFL debut at a different time of the season will wear the same patch in their first game, per the league’s news release.

Here is a look at the patch.