Ava Hunt is bidding farewell to the NFL. If you ask her mother, it’s not an easy goodbye. Days after announcing a new career move of joining Youth With A Mission (YWAM), the Kansas City Chiefs’ billionaire owner’s wife shared an emotional Instagram post. 

While Clark and Tavia’s eldest daughter, Gracie, committed her future to the Chiefs, their other two children have taken different paths. Knobel, who graduated in May from his father’s alma mater, Southern Methodist University, has settled in New York City to begin his career at JPMorgan Chase—far from the family’s Texas home. The youngest, Ava, is also stepping into a new season, moving out to join YWAM, a decision she shared in an Instagram post. For Tavia, the transition hasn’t been easy. Still adjusting to Knobel’s absence, and posted an emotional goodbye to Ava on social media, calling her “bestie.” 

“Saying goodbye to my baby and my bestie,” Tavia wrote as a caption on a carousel of pictures with. “My heart is full of pride and joy for her—yet this transition stretches me.” Tavia reflected on the bittersweet reality of motherhood, “raising the ones you love, admire, and even lean on, only to release them into the world to follow His call.” 

While letting go will never be easy, she shared that it draws her closer to her faith. She feels herself on her knees in prayer for her children’s protection. “No matter where God leads them, our door is always open for them to find their way home,” she added. Tavia also reflected that being a mother has been the greatest gift for her. Watching her children grow brings a joy that she says “breaks and heals” her heart at the same time. She also penned a prayer in the goodbye note from Psalm 25:4–5 for her daughter going away from home.

While it’s an emotional goodbye, Tavia couldn’t be prouder of her youngest. Offering one last note of encouragement to Ava, she wrote, “So proud of you, Aves. Go where He leads. God be with you.” 

After graduating from high school in Dallas, Ava, too, aims to join her father’s alma mater, Southern Methodist University—like her siblings did. But before that, she wants to contribute to her community. She has taken a gap year and will be starting her training with YWAM in Hawaii. As Ava carves her own path, the spotlight has found its way to her life in unexpected moments.

Ava Hunt finds the spotlight: Inside her Instagram

Unlike her older sister Grace, Ava has preferred being away from the limelight. In fact, the reason her name became a search query was a picture with Taylor Swift during the 2023 Christmas, when the Hunts gave pop icon a special crystal-studded Judith Leiber purse shaped like a microphone as a birthday gift. Soon, both national and international news began putting the spotlight on the youngest Hunt. 

Last year in January, Clark’s wife shared pictures from holidays with her girls: Gracie and Ava. The gorgeous Hunt women were celebrating New York at the Jonas Brothers concert and enjoying the sunny beaches in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “Recovering from the holidays & starting the year off right with a heart full of gratitude,” Tavia wrote in the caption. 

Ava’s Instagram doesn’t feel like the usual teen feed. From pictures with the Super Bowl trophies to posing with NFL stars like Travis Kelce, it’s glamour all along. But it also reflects a personal touch: her family and away-from-spotlight life. One post has her horseback riding on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas, another posing underneath the Northern Lights, and then taking snaps before Victoria Falls in Africa. Mixed in with the travel snapshots are the moments closer to home: homecoming dresses, cheerleading, posing for Spring dance with her high school friends.