National Football League

Ex-Chiefs WR Bowe attends funeral of longtime fan who died at 86

Published Apr. 23, 2015 12:48 a.m. ET

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During his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dwayne Bowe had a routine before every home game at Arrowhead Stadium where he would seek out and give a kiss to Betsy Johnson at her front-row seat on the 45-yard line.

Johnson, a longtime Chiefs fan and season-ticket holder since 1986, passed away at the age of 86 last week, and Bowe, now with the Cleveland Browns after signing a free-agent deal with the team in March, wouldn’t allow the fact he is no longer a member of Johnson’s favorite NFL team deter him from paying his proper respects to his friend.

Bowe returned to Kansas City on Tuesday to attend Johnson’s funeral in order to give the fan everyone knew as “Grandma” one last kiss.

A KCTV-5 report notes that Bowe also delivered a wreath of white flowers to the funeral, on which he included the following heart-felt message:

“You might have thought your were the Chiefs No. 1 fan, but in so many ways, we were yours. 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.”

Johnson’s family expressed sincere appreciation for Bowe and his act of kindness.

“He flew in for my mother’s funeral to give her the last kiss. 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,” Johnson’s daughter, Susan Johnson said.

Former Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery, inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2009, found out about Johnson “holding on for a final goodbye from her Chiefs,” per the report, after the family posted a photo on Facebook of Bowe kissing her.

The Chiefs great was at Johnson’s bedside along with her family as she passed away.

“Nick Lowery helped her kick her last winning field goal,” Susan Johnson said.

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