Patrick Mahomes was born to be a professional athlete. His father was a Major League Baseball pitcher, and growing up in Texas, Mahomes excelled in every sport he tried. He was a star in football, baseball, and basketball. But despite his incredible talent, he was overlooked and underestimated. This is the story of how Mahomes went from a three-star recruit to the NFL's undisputed best player.
A Multi-Sport Star
By age 10, Mahomes could throw a baseball over 200 feet. At Whitehouse High School, he shined in three sports. As a senior, he averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds in basketball and threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in baseball. His fastball topped out in the mid-90s, and he was rated the number 35 overall prospect in Texas by Perfect Game.
Mahomes was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, but he never signed, choosing to pursue his football dreams. He believes his experience playing multiple sports influenced his unique skill set as a quarterback. "I think a lot of my improvisation is from baseball and how I could sling the ball across the diamond," Mahomes once said.
Overlooked and Underrated
Despite his athleticism and impressive high school football stats (4,619 passing yards and 50 touchdowns as a senior), Mahomes was only a three-star recruit. Shockingly, he didn't receive a single scholarship offer from a school outside of Texas. He ultimately committed to Texas Tech, where he played both football and baseball.
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Proving Them Wrong
Mahomes began his college career as a backup quarterback. But when the starter got injured, he seized his opportunity. In his first start, he set a Big 12 freshman record with 598 passing yards and 6 touchdowns against Baylor.
He continued to shine as a sophomore, leading the nation in total offense. Before his junior year, he decided to focus solely on football. He led the country in passing yards and total touchdowns, showcasing his incredible arm talent and playmaking ability.
The Kansas City Chiefs Take a Chance
After a stellar junior season, Mahomes declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite his impressive college performance, he was the second quarterback taken, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs at the 10th overall pick.
The Chiefs, who already had Alex Smith at quarterback, traded up to select Mahomes. It seemed like a risky move at the time, but they saw something special in him.
A Star is Born
Mahomes spent his rookie season learning behind Smith. In Week 17, he made his NFL debut and showed flashes of his potential. The Chiefs then traded Smith, making it clear that Mahomes was their quarterback of the future.
In 2018, Mahomes took the league by storm. He threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, winning the NFL MVP award in his first season as a starter. He led the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game, where they narrowly lost to the Patriots.
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Super Bowl Glory and Beyond
The following season, Mahomes battled injuries but still led the Chiefs to the playoffs. In a memorable comeback against the Texans, he erased a 24-0 deficit and threw for 321 yards and 5 touchdowns. He then led the Chiefs to victory over the Titans in the AFC Championship game.
In Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes faced the San Francisco 49ers. Trailing 20-10 in the fourth quarter, he orchestrated a comeback, leading the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory and earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
A Historic Contract
Mahomes's early success led to a groundbreaking contract. In July 2020, he signed a 10-year extension worth a staggering $503 million, the largest contract in sports history. The Chiefs were betting on Mahomes to be their franchise quarterback for the next decade.
Overcoming Adversity
The 2020 season saw Mahomes continue his dominance, leading the Chiefs to a 14-2 record and another Super Bowl appearance. However, they fell short against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2021, the Chiefs lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game. Doubts began to surface about Mahomes and the Chiefs' ability to return to the Super Bowl.
The 2022 season presented new challenges. The Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill, and many wondered if Mahomes could maintain his elite level of play without his star receiver. He answered those questions with another MVP season, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns.
In the playoffs, Mahomes faced adversity once again. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the divisional round against the Jacksonville Jaguars but battled through the pain to lead the Chiefs to victory.
He then faced the Bengals in the AFC Championship game, a team that had defeated him three times in a row. Mahomes silenced his critics with a gutsy performance, leading the Chiefs to a 23-20 win.
The Mahomes Dynasty Begins?
In Super Bowl LVII, Mahomes and the Chiefs faced the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite re-aggravating his ankle injury, Mahomes led the Chiefs to a thrilling 38-35 victory. He was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career.
With Tom Brady's retirement, the NFL was in need of a new face of the league. Mahomes, with his incredible talent, leadership, and resilience, has emerged as that player. He has already achieved incredible success, and at just 27 years old, he has the potential to build a dynasty in Kansas City.
Conclusion
Patrick Mahomes's journey is a testament to his talent, hard work, and determination. From being an overlooked recruit to becoming an NFL superstar, he has defied expectations at every step.
He is a generational talent with a unique skill set and a winning mentality. With two Super Bowl titles, two MVP awards, and countless records already to his name, Mahomes is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The future is bright for the king of the NFL.