Thanksgiving for the Hunt family was all about family, fitness, and, of course, football. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and his family kicked off their holiday by lacing up their sneakers and participating in the annual Houston Turkey Trot.
Gracie Hunt, Clark’s youngest daughter, took part in her first registered race in two years, recovering from a painful foot injury that kept her sidelined for a while. Over 22,000 people joined in the trot, but Gracie’s post-race update was one for the books.
She shared her excitement on Instagram, celebrating not just the race, but the personal victory of completing her first event in two years. “All the turkeys trotted!” she wrote, proudly sharing that she finished 8 miles in 57 minutes.
Check out her post:
The former Miss Kansas also sent a message of gratitude to her followers, urging them to find joy in all things, big and small—a sentiment that Chiefs fans and players can certainly relate to as the team gears up for their big Black Friday showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Gracie’s run set the tone for the holiday, the Chiefs’ performance on the field this season has been a bit of a roller coaster, with close wins and injury woes casting a shadow over their playoff hopes.
One player whose return is a welcome boost is running back Isiah Pacheco, who is activated after recovering from a fibula fracture that sidelined him early in the season. Pacheco’s aggressive running style was sorely missed, and fans are eager to see how he performs after nearly 10 weeks of recovery. Though Coach Andy Reid is cautious, Pacheco’s return could bring the spark the Chiefs need as they face the Raiders at Arrowhead.
The Chiefs’ defense also has some key players returning to action. Defensive end Charles Omenihu, recovering from a torn ACL, will be making his return, though he might not be at full strength just yet. His presence is crucial, especially given the Chiefs’ struggles with pass rush and coverage this season. With Jaylen Watson nursing an injury, Omenihu’s return couldn’t come at a better time.
As if the game’s stakes weren’t high enough, Patrick Mahomes is on the brink of breaking a significant record. The star quarterback is just one touchdown away from surpassing Hall of Famer Len Dawson’s career touchdown pass record of 237. The pressure is on, but Mahomes has proven time and again he thrives under such conditions.
With Pacheco back in action, Omenihu’s return, and Mahomes eyeing history, Chiefs fans are hoping for more than just a victory this Friday—they’re hoping for a statement win that will boost the team’s momentum toward the playoffs. And who knows? Maybe Gracie’s message of gratitude will carry over to the field as the Chiefs try to trot their way to victory.