A Champion of the Round and Oblong Ball

Lamar Hunt Died today at the age of 74. He was a pro sports visionary who coined the term “Super Bowl” and help spearhead the AFL-NFL merger

"His vision transformed pro football and helped turn a regional sport into a national passion," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Lamar created a model franchise in the Kansas City Chiefs, but he was always equally devoted to the best interests of the league and the game."

The son of an oil tycoon grew up on El Dorado, Arkansas. He was captain of the football team for the Pennsylviania prep school that he attended. He even earned the nickname “games”

Hunt was also champion of US Soccer. He was a co-founder of the North American Soccer League. (Think NY COSMO and Pele). He also co-founded MSL (think Landy Cakes and semi pro soccer). The man was really the only advocate for US soccer.

The AFC Champions Trophy, The US CUP are both named in his honor.

Counting pro football, Hunt has been inducted into eight halls of fame, including ones for soccer and tennis as well as the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the Kansas City Business Hall of Fame.

The round ball and the oblong ball both owe a lot to Lamar Hunt (1932-2006)