The opening night of Super Bowl week is filled with fun moments with the media and players in celebration of Sunday’s game. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a popular target from reporters from different outlets and ages Monday night.
Mahomes was approached by a young reporter wearing an NFL Play 60 shirt asking in-depth questions. The former league MVP was asked about the greatest advice he’s ever received? He had a tremendous answer for the young journalist. “I thought it was about the kids, but we didn’t know it was going to be all this,” Roberson said. “The kids get to see that somebody cares about them. Most of the time, where we’re from, kids don’t get this.”
Throughout this season, Mahomes, a first-year starter, has thanked his fans and supported people in Kansas City in ways few Chiefs quarterbacks have ever done. Each week, Mahomes has made an effort to attend a community event, whether through the team or on his own. In the calendar year, Mahomes has toured most of the city, energizing and charming fans young and old and, in the process, persuaded even casual football fans to watch and cheer for the Chiefs.
With 43 touchdown passes in just 13 games, Mahomes is the leading candidates to win the NFL’s MVP award. But Mahomes has inspired and galvanized the people of Kansas City not just with his play, but also his several acts of community service. And for this, he has been named The Athletic Kansas City’s 2018 Person of the Year.
“All the games are unbelievably exciting,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said of Mahomes’ performances this season. “But beyond that, he’s emerged as one of the key leaders of the team, which is very hard for a 23-year-old player in his first year as a starter.
It says a lot about his character, and he’s done a great job representing the team in the community. I don’t run into anybody, either here in Kansas City or somewhere else, who doesn’t say, ‘Wow, that young man seems like he’s really special.’”
“Never change who you are, and be the best you can be, “said Mahomes with a cheerful smile. “And so every single day, it’s what I try to do. I am who I was in high school, in middle school, and I try to be the best person I can be every single day.”
The interview ends with the young reporter telling Mahomes,” I want to be just like you” with the third-year quarterback responding, “I appreciate that man and you can be.”
The moment was inspirational and adorable for the many in attendance and displayed the humility that is very relevant in the league. Mahomes continues to be a great ambassador for the Chiefs and NFL as he may have just become that young reporter’s hero with one conversation.
