There was a bit of skepticism when the Kansas City Chiefs traded away Alex Smith and handed the keys to the young and unproven Patrick Mahomes. The team was coming off their third straight playoff appearance led by Smith, who was a surprise MVP candidate in 2017.
Despite all of that, the Chiefs seemed to have their minds made up on Mahomes since the moment they traded up to take him with the 10th pick of the 2017 draft. While Smith was a solid, top-12 NFL quarterback, they saw a transcendent game-changer in Mahomes.
In hindsight, it's hilarious that any of this was even a thing, but it was. People were really convinced Alex Smith was the route to go. But, nah, it's Patrick Mahomes forever and ever.
Anyway, now that you know all of that, here are 10 things you probably didn't know about the young prodigy.
Patrick Mahomes Facts
10. His father gave him the perfect nickname early on
Growing up, Mahomes' father saw flashes of a special player in his son. Along with overall skill, Mahomes Sr. saw a bit of flash in the way his son played the game. With that came the nickname “Showtime”, something that seems very fitting for what Mahomes has been thus far in the NFL.
9. Patrick Mahomes makes another popular sport a main hobby
According to an interview Mahomes did with Carrington Harrison and Brad Fanning from 610 Sports Radio, the Texas Tech alum loves to hit the links. “My favorite hobby especially this off-season was probably golf,” Mahomes said. “I really tried to get into golf. My dad played so it’s something else I compete against him in. He is definitely better, but I did beat him when he came to Kansas City one time. That was my only time I’ve ever beat him though.”
8. Mahomes has long been well-traveled
As the son of a professional baseball player, Mahomes experienced the non-stop travel and uncertainties that come along with it.
With a career that spanned from 1992-2003, Mahomes Sr. was constantly on the move, as was his family. Mahomes Sr. played for the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates during his playing career, giving the younger Patrick Mahomes a glimpse into the grind of being a pro.
7. He didn't have to Hunt too long to find a friend
According to Kareem Hunt, the two became best best friends on the Chiefs when they played together. Hunt spoke about their relationship:
6. Patrick Mahomes was quietly great at Texas Tech
Though it didn't garner the recognition that most elite college quarterbacks receive, Mahomes put up ridiculous numbers in his time as a Red Raider.
In his three-year college career, Mahomes ranks third in total offense after accounting for 12,097 yards. He also had a combined 115 touchdowns in that time, averaging over 38 touchdowns per year.
He also played in a legendary game against fellow rising QB, Cleveland Browns signal-caller Baker Mayfield.
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5. Thanks to his mother, sports didn't account for his only accomplishments
In an interview with Tyler Today, Mahomes' mother Randi was firm on her desire for Pat to take his education seriously. He didn't let her down.
“He started getting college credits at Tyler Junior College while he was still in high school,” Randi explained to Tyler Today. “I admit I am a proud mom. I am very proud of his athletic achievements. However, I am more proud of his scholastic accomplishments.”
4. Family stayed tight even through adversity
Randi and Patrick Sr. split when Mahomes was only six years old.
The parents refused to let their divorce ruin the bond they had formed as a family, however. “His mom and I are still best friends,” Pat told Tyler Today in 2015. A divorce can easily work to tear a family apart, but the Mahomes' parents decided to make the most of it.
3. Patrick Mahomes was a multi-sport phenom in high school
While he was building his name as a five-star prep quarterback. Mahomes wasn't far behind on the baseball field or the basketball court. Mahomes threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in his senior year and led his Whitehouse high school team as a standout starting pitcher. His overall high school exploits earned him the 2013-2014 Max Preps Male-Athlete of the Year.
2. Mahomes could've followed his father's footsteps
Following his impressive high school career on the diamond, Mahomes was presented with a few options.
While he had numerous division 1 scholarships for baseball and football, Mahomes was also presented with a different option. The Detroit Tigers drafted Mahomes in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft while Mahomes was still a senior in high school. Mahomes could have signed with the Tigers or pursued a baseball career by going to college to play then re-enter the draft. Instead, Mahomes went to Texas Tech for football and the rest is history.
1. Patrick Mahomes learned work ethic from a few all-time greats
While his father was playing in the MLB, the younger Mahomes stayed around the game as much as possible and remained observant at all times. Throughout his time at the ballpark, Mahomes took notice of the way a few well-established, All-Star players worked as if they were just rookies trying to prove themselves.
“You saw All-Stars working just as hard as guys who just got there,” Patrick explained to Sports Illustrated in an article posted by Jenny Vrentas . “I remember Alex Rodriguez being at the stadium three or four hours before practice started, just hitting off a tee. Then you see Derek Jeter taking ground balls all day, and you’re like, these guys, they don’t have to be doing this. They’re the best at their profession, but at the same time, they want to be better. You understand that you have to work that hard, no matter what level you are.”
Hopefully we dropped at least a few Patrick Mahomes facts you were previously unaware of.