Kansas City Chiefs help grant dying Chiefs superfan’s final wish
Betty Johnson loved the Kansas City Chiefs, and it turns out the Kansas City Chiefs loved her too.
Johnson died last week at age 86, but not before some final memories from her favorite team. She was a season-ticket holder since 1986, according to KCTV and KSHB in Kansas City.
Showing how much of an impact Johnson had on the Chiefs players who knew her, receiver Dwayne Bowe flew in for her funeral even though he isn’t with the Chiefs anymore.
Johnson’s great granddaughter shared a photo on social of Bowe giving Betty Johnson a kiss at a recent Chiefs game, something KCTV said Bowe did before every game at Johnson’s seat at the 45-yard line. Bowe flew in for the funeral on Tuesday “to give her the last kiss,” Johnson’s daughter Susan told KCTV. Bowe signed with the Cleveland Browns this offseason.
Bowe said a few words at the memorial about Johnson, who he called his biggest fan. He also sent a wreath of white flowers, KCTV said.
“You might have thought your were the Chiefs No. 1 fan, but in so many ways, we were yours,” Bowe wrote on the flowers, KCTV said. “Thanks for making Arrowhead feel like home to me. I will continue to play my heart out for you. Kisses to you my special angel.”
The family was touched by Bowe’s gestures, especially considering he’s no longer a Chief.
“He flew in for my mother’s funeral to give her the last kiss,” Susan Johnson said, according to KCTV. “Her celebration was just what she wanted. I wished I could have seen her in heaven today. I know she was there in spirit. It was a special ending to very special person.”
The Chiefs organization also reached out in Johnson’s final days. With Johnson’s health declining, KSHB said her last wish was to see the Chiefs one last time. Last Thursday the team sent former kicker Nick Lowery, a Chiefs Hall of Famer. During Lowery’s visit, Johnson died.
“We sang a prayer, and he was going to leave, and we noticed that she was no longer breathing,” Johnson’s granddaughter Autumn Barricks told KSHB. “We believe that she was just waiting to say goodbye to her Chiefs.”
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
