Bobby Hunt, a standout player for Auburn University and a starter in the first Super Bowl for the Kansas City Chiefs, has died at the age of 85. The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame & Museum announced his passing on its Facebook account. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Hunt was recognized as an inductee into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. During his collegiate career at Auburn from 1959 to 1961, Hunt was a versatile player, competing at quarterback and defensive back. He amassed 1,046 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,048 yards and 14 scores in 30 games.
His performance at Auburn led to him being selected by the Dallas Texans in the 11th round of the 1962 AFL Draft. He transitioned to safety upon entering the professional ranks. In his rookie season, Hunt earned First-Team All-AFL honors, recording eight interceptions, a franchise rookie record at the time that was later matched by Marcus Peters in 2015.
The Dallas Texans won the AFL championship in 1962, and the franchise relocated to Kansas City in 1963, becoming the Chiefs. Hunt spent five seasons with the Chiefs, earning Second-Team All-AFL honors twice. In 1966, he recorded a career-high 10 interceptions. He is also noted in NFL record books for a four-interception game in 1964, a mark tied for the most in a single game in league history.
Hunt was a starter for the Chiefs in Super Bowl I in 1967, which the team lost to the Green Bay Packers. He concluded his playing career with two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Over his eight-year professional career, Hunt played in 112 games, starting 108, and recorded 42 career interceptions.
Following his playing career, Hunt briefly transitioned into coaching, serving as a defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills for two seasons from 1970 to 1971.