Before their AFC Championship game triumph, Kansas City Chiefs players and supporters lamented the death of cheerleader Krystal Anderson, who died before to the 2024 NFL regular season.
The 40-year-old was a valued member of the Chiefs Cheer team, appearing in over 100 games from 2006 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016. She was known to close ones as “Krissy,” and she died on March 20 after battling sepsis following the heartbreaking stillbirth of her daughter Charlotte Willow.
According to her GoFundMe page, despite being placed on life support and undergoing three operations, the source of the illness could not be determined. The charity set up in her memory garnered $83,552 from 953 members of the public.
The former cheerleader also worked as a software engineer and yoga instructor. She is survived by her husband, Clayton Anderson. Prior to the Chiefs’ win against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, as they advanced to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, the squad paid respect to Krystal via an emotional social media post.
The official KC account took to Instagram and posted photos of the late cheerleader from her time with the Chiefs Cheers, along with a touching statement that read: “We miss Krystal every day, but her story and impact live on forever.” From leaving it all on the field to still finding time to impact the future of maternal healthcare, she left an indelible impression on the globe.”
Fans responded with their own condolences, including one who wrote: “Wow. What a story. I am heartbroken for those who knew and loved her, but I appreciate how you are honoring her memory and legacy. “I’ll be looking for her mark as I watch the home games this season.”
A second person commented, “What a great woman. My heart breaks for her and all of her loved ones. Thank you for celebrating her. “I’ll look for Krystal’s special markers at the games.”
The Chiefs paid tribute to Krystal in a lengthy statement earlier this year, vowing to carry on her legacy in the wake of her unexpected death. It stated, “We are very grieved by the sudden demise of CC alum Krystal. Krissy joined us for almost 100 games between 2006 and 2011, and again from 2013 to 2016.
“at that time, she represented the Chiefs at the Pro Bowl in 2015, served as her team’s captain, cheered at the London game, and visited our troops all around the world, including Iraq, Kuwait, and the United States. She was adored by her teammates, supporters, and even strangers who were never strangers for long.”
“After her time as a cheerleader, she continued to share her love of dancing and Chiefs Cheer by volunteering as an alumni member on game days, practices, and events. We’ll miss her sweet spirit, cheerful energy, and glitter. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. We will appreciate every minute we shared with her. We will announce how we will continue to honour her legacy at a later date.
