The offseason isn’t just about tweaking the player roster or addressing coaching gaps. It’s that crucial stretch when teams reevaluate everything that didn’t click during the year. But it’s not just the players and coaches facing changes. There’s another lineup that quietly undergoes its version of a roster shake-up: the cheerleading squad. In March, Clark Hunt‘s Kansas City Chiefs cheerleading lineup underwent a few changes.

Nine cheerleaders from the KC cheerleading squad retired last month. And just like the team has to fill up the 90-man roster, they have to fill up the cheerleading lineup as well. Every year during the offseason, franchises hold auditions to recruit new cheerleaders. The Chiefs had their auditions and ran their selection process in multiple phases over a month. The team announced its finalists on April 22. And now, the rookie cheerleaders are turning heads with their talent, skills, and energy. 

Late on Saturday, the official Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders account gave fans a fun peek behind the scenes of finals weekend, captioning, “SO much talent in these solos 🔥”. And it was full of energy. Rocking up in some stunning outfits, the cheerleaders turned the final weekend into an energetic one. From slick choreography to jaw-dropping acrobatics, the talent on display was next-level. Whether it was high kicks, flips, or just the way they owned the room, these rookies came ready to impress. If this were just auditions, imagine what they’ll bring to Arrowhead come game time.

While the weekend celebrated new talent, it also carried a heartfelt tribute. The Chiefs made a special announcement in honor of one of their most beloved late cheerleaders, Krystal Anderson.

Clark Hunt’s family announces the ‘Krystal Anderson Unbreakable Joy Award’

Last year in March, Kansas City lost one of its special cheerleaders, Krystal. She passed away at the age of 40 due to childbirth complications. “We miss Krystal every day, but her story and her impact live on forever. From leaving it all on the field to still finding time to change the future of healthcare for mothers, she left a mark on the world that we’ll never forget,” the KC Cheerleaders’ official page wrote in a post dedicated to Krystal as they shared her story.

Last season, the Chiefs honored Anderson in touching ways. Chiefs cheerleaders wore wristbands with her initials. And they marked the spot where she used to cheer on the sidelines as ‘Krystal’s corner,’ keeping her memory alive during every game. Now, one year after the sad passing of Anderson, the Clark Hunt family has announced the “Krystal Anderson Unbreakable Joy Award” in her honor.

This new yearly award will be given to people or groups who show the same values Krystal lived by, spreading joy, staying strong through tough times, and caring deeply for others. “To continue honoring the memory of Chiefs Cheerleader Krystal Anderson, the Hunt Family Foundation will give an annual grant to an organization whose mission aligns with Krystal’s legacy. Our first recipient is KC STEM, where Krystal was an advisory board member because of her deep passion for STEM,” wrote the Chiefs Cheer team in their announcement post.

The first person to receive the award was Jordan from the KC STEM Alliance, a group that works to teach students about science and technology. KC gave the award along with a special football, showing both appreciation and remembrance. Through this award, the Chiefs ensure Krystal Anderson’s legacy of joy, strength, and service continues to inspire future generations.