After his two-time success in the Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes has become one of the most talked-about names in the NFL. From a kid growing up in the heart of Texas to the face of the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes’ journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Mahomes secured one of the most impressive contracts in pro sports history, less than half a decade after being drafted, and he’s already used his success and fortune to make game-changing moves both on and off the field. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just love a good success story, we’re delving deep into the incredible story of Patrick Mahomes.
A Star is Born
On September 17, 1995, in the heart of Tyler, Texas, MLB Pitcher Patrick “Pat” Mahomes and event planner Randi welcomed a son who would go on to change the face of pro football forever. In honor of his father, they named the baby Patrick Mahomes.
Growing up in a small town in Texas, life was anything but ordinary for little Mahomes. His parents were used to life in the spotlight, thanks to Pat Mahomes’ budding MLB career which began in 1992. It was only a matter of time before Patrick was introduced to the sporting life.
Sports From the Start
Like many other families, a deep love of sports ran deep within the Mahomes family. Pat Mahomes introduced his son to the world of baseball and other sports early on. After finding fame as an MLB pitcher in 1992, Patrick got to watch his father play for teams including the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs, among others.
From the very beginning, Patrick was surrounded by an environment celebrating athleticism and competition. The world was waiting to see if Patrick would follow in his father’s footsteps.
Early Talent
From a young age, Mahomes showed a love for both baseball and football. Like his father, he played both, as well as basketball, at his high school in Whitehouse, Texas. He was often praised for his exceptional arm strength and accuracy in football, along with his impressive pitching skills on the baseball diamond.
These early talents showed that Mahomes had the potential to make it big, but no one could have known just how big he would soon make it.
Trouble at Home
Back at home, things weren’t always plain and simple for the Mahomes. After welcoming another son Jackson Mahomes in 2000, the parent’s relationship took a downward turn. In 2006, the couple got a divorce, but they were determined not to let the issues in their marriage affect their sons’ wellbeing and Patrick’s sporting promise.
Not only did they have high hopes for their son, but they also had unwavering faith that he would be incredibly successful in the future. And boy, were they right.
Star in the Making
As a senior in high school, Mahomes already had 4,619 passing yards, 50 passing touchdowns, 948 rushing yards, and 15 rushing touchdowns. However, Patrick wasn’t only sharpening his skills on the football field. In the same year in baseball, Mahomes threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in one game.
In 2013, he was named Male Athlete of the Year by high school sports specialist website MaxPreps. Before he even signed onto a college, all eyes were on Mahomes and it was clear that he was a star in the making—the one to watch.
Tough Call
Patrick Mahomes was pretty much destined for an incredible college career, whichever direction he chose to go in. He was anything but your average high school senior already reaching a level of fame within the sports world as a quarterback and baseball prodigy with equally huge prospects.
In June 2014, Mahomes faced an impossibly tough call. He was a top prospect for the 2014 MLB draft, at the same time receiving offers as a football recruit from Rice, Houston, and Texas Tech Univesity. Either contract would change his life, so what would it be?
Making His Choice
Of course, we now know that though Mahomes was selected in the 37th round by the Detroit Tigers in the 2014 MLB draft, he didn’t sign their contract. Mahomes committed to Texas Tech, and his future was set. Already, Mahomes was a beloved sporting star, and his various coaches could see his potential.
“Patrick is the poster child for the multi-sport athlete,” Mahomes’ Whitehouse High School coach told Yahoo Sports. From the moment he committed to Texas Tech, the NFL was firmly in his sights.
High School Sweethearts
Long Distance
Brittany Matthews graduated high school and began playing soccer at the University of Texas at Tyler and one year later Mahomes also stayed close to home, starting at Texas Tech. Distance was never a problem for Mahomes, on the field at least, and it wasn’t a problem for this loved-up duo, either. Despite their hectic athletic schedules, they made things work.
Multi-Sport Star
Mahomes’s time in college was nothing short of remarkable. He sent shockwaves through the NCAA as the starter for his freshman season, getting lucky when starting quarterback Davis Webb was injured. Over the course of that season, he passed for 1,547 yards, had 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
But that wasn’t even the most impressive part—Mahomes was still splitting his time between the Texas Tech football and baseball team, as their relief pitcher. In his sophomore year, he continued playing, and thriving, at both sports. More and more people began to take notice of Mahomes and his seemingly magical arm.
Leaving Baseball
During his junior year, Mahomes put down his bat, announcing in 2016 that he was officially leaving baseball behind to focus on football full-time. He set multiple records as the quarterback in this football season, both within the NCAA and the Big 12.
A year later, in January 2017, Mahomes made yet another decision that wasn’t exactly a surprise. In fact, many fans following his journey saw it as inevitable.
Pick Me
Mahomes decided to forgo his final year of college to enter the NFL Draft. After his junior year, he declared for the NFL Draft and was projected as a mid-round pick. But his draft stock grew as he continued to enamor people and soon he was a hot prospect entering the 2017 Draft, projected by multiple analysts and scouts to be a first or second-round pick.
After being ranked third-best quarterback by ESPN, representatives from 28 different NFL teams visited his Texas Tech pro day. Coaches from the Saints, Bengals, Cardinals, and Bears amongst others, came for visits and workouts with the rising star.
Introducing the Chiefs
Out of all the teams and coaches vying for the chance to accept Mahomes as their quarterback, there was only going to be one successful team. In the first round of the draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Mahomes after trading up their original 27th overall selection with the Buffalo Bills.
In a remarkable move, Mahomes was the first quarterback to be selected by the Chiefs in the first round since Todd Blackledge’s selection seventh overall in the 1983 NFL Draft. Clearly, the Chiefs saw something special in Mahomes.
Showing Promise
The Chiefs were enamored with Mahomes, who was fast becoming the most promising player in football. They would have to make sacrifices and change their plans, moving up several spots in order to secure him.
Brett Veach, who was once a scout for the Chiefs and is now their general manager, knew he was onto something by keeping tabs on Mahomes during his college success and figuring out the most successful way to draft him. Even by NFL standards, it was a risky move because though Mahomes had been playing football for five years, he’d only been playing full-time for one.
Unique Talent
Undeterred by this, Mahomes’ agent Leigh Steinberg knew from the moment he met Patrick what a powerful player he was and what a valuable member of the Chiefs he would be. He first met Mahomes back at Texas Tech.
While there, Mahomes had a 3.71 grade point average and he was known for his photgraphic memory, which also helped him on the field. “Does that mean you can remember every play you’ve ever played?” Steinberg recalled asking. “Yes,” Mahomes responded, as Esquire reported.
Life-Changing Contract
On July 20, 2017, Mahomes signed his first life-changing contract. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a guaranteed four-year, $16.42 million contract, with a $10.08 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac. Not bad for a rookie!
The Chiefs had a plan for Mahomes, giving him a deliberate path for development by keeping veteran Alex Smith as their QB1. This meant that Mahomes would spend most of his 2017 season on the bench—or so he thought.
First Career Start
With a playoff spot and the fourth seed in the playoffs secured for the Chiefs, they announced on December 27, 2017, that they would be resting Alex Smith, and giving Mahomes his first career start in their game against the Denver Broncos.
In that game, Mahomes completed 22 of 35 passes for 284 yards and one interception, helping lead the Chiefs to a 27-24 win. It was a great start for an even better player. Now, the world was definitely watching Patrick Mahomes.
Touchdown!
When the Chiefs agreed to trade Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins in January 2018, Mahomes was elevated to starting quarterback. He earned the title of AFC Offensive Player of the Week after helping the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers 38-28. During this game, he had the first touchdown of his career.
This began a streak of successes for Mahomes—he was named Player of the Week again and became the first quarterback since Tom Brady to achieve this feat. However, this wouldn’t be the only time Mahomes was compared to Tom Brady.
Smashing Records
No longer a backup and now an official starting quarterback, the 2018 season was major for Mahomes. His performances constantly left everyone astounded, and in the Chiefs’ game against the Oakland Raiders, Mahomes became the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Only in his second year in the NFL, and Mahomes was already being ranked with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. But as much as his performance was impressive by record standards, his acclaim was about so much more than just numbers.
First-Time MVP
Without a doubt, Mahomes was the standout player of the Chiefs’ 2018 season and he became a firm fan favorite. He earned multiple awards for his performance and was given the honor of being named NFL MVP, making him the first-ever winner in the Chiefs’ history. This became a career-defining moment for Mahomes.
In the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2019 list, his own peers ranked him fourth-best player. However, just when he was reveling in his rave reviews, things got even better for Mahomes.
Five Decades Later
The 2019 Super Bowl LIV will forever be etched into the scriptures of NFL history as the moment when Patrick Mahomes fulfilled a childhood dream. He played a huge part in getting the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1970.
However, things weren’t looking good in the beginning for the Chiefs, trailing behind the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter. Then, Mahomes made a call for the coaches to call the play Jet Chip Wasp, and in the remaining minutes of the game, Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
MVP Once Again
Mahomes threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for another 29 yards and the touchdown run. This call and his affectionately named “Mahomes Magic” left fans breathless and earned him the title of Super Bowl MVP.
Earning the title of Super Bowl MVP made Mahomes another record breaker—he became the youngest quarterback and third-youngest player to win the award in NFL history. Things were only about to get even better for Mahomes.
Big Deal
Still reeling from their win, the Chiefs decided to pick up the fifth-year option in Mahomes’ contract. His fifth-year extension was signed in April 2020, and just three months later, the Chiefs formally committed to Mahomes in what is currently the largest contract in American professional sports history.
July 6, 2020, saw Mahomes sign a 10-year extension worth $477 million with another $26 million in potential bonuses, for a total of $503 million, extending through the 2031 season. The deal even surpassed the previously largest deal—Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million contract, as NFL.com reported.
You Win Some, You Lose Some
At just 25, Mahomes became the first professional athlete with a half-billion-dollar contract. Throughout the 2020 season, Mahomes continued to shine, earning Pro Bowl titles and other achievements for his performance.
The Kansas City Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl LV the following season, which was where Mahomes had his first double-digit loss in his NFL career. While Mahomes didn’t have much luck on the field, his life off the field was taking off.
Two Ring Ceremonies
After Mahomes’ Super Bowl LIV ring ceremony, he popped the big question to his long-time love Brittany. He later confessed on KCSP 610 Radio that he was more nervous to propose than to play in the Super Bowl.
Even though the Chiefs didn’t go on the win the Super Bowl, Mahomes was ranked the top-rated NFL player by his peers in the NFL Top 100 that year, showing that his fellow players still believed in him. With his fiancee on his side, he was pretty much unstoppable.
Growing the Family
Even though the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Conference game of 2021, it barely cast a shadow on Mahomes’ success. During this time, his personal life was taking off. In February 2021, he and his wife Brittany welcomed their first child Sterling Skye Mahomes.
Knowing fans and followers would be rejoicing at their news, they made a conscious effort to explain on social media that they would only “share photos of her when the time is right.”
Feeling Pressure
With such a hectic sporting schedule and a new baby at home, anyone would think that things were complicated for Mahomes. Not to mention the potential crushing pressure of knowing you’re working with the most expensive contract in sporting history.
But as it turns out, Mahomes didn’t feel any added pressure after signing. “It’s something where it’s not about the money to me. It’s about going out there and winning, not only for myself but for the guys around me,” Mahomes told Sports Illustrated.
Another on the Way
One thing’s for sure—the contract may have helped Mahomes plan and pull off his epic wedding ceremony in March 2022. After 10 years of dating, Brittany and Patrick finally tied the knot in a private ceremony in Maui, Hawaii.
Matthews wore a Versace gown, and little Sterling rode down the aisle in a toy car as a flower girl. Just two months after the wedding, in May 2022, the Mahomes announced that they were expecting baby number two—this time, a boy. On November 28, 2022, the couple announced the arrival of Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III.
Even Brady Can’t Beat
Having a newborn at home didn’t deter Mahome from taking to the field and doing what he does best in the culmination of the 2022 football season. Mahomes successfully proved once again that the ongoing pressure wouldn’t allow him to crumble as he led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl LVII.
Alongside this Chiefs’ victory, Mahomes made personal victories, earning the Super Bowl MVP and NFL MVP honors for a second time. In addition, he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns during the season. He achieved a feat no quarterback has ever achieved in a single season. Not even Tom Brady!
Patrick’s Luck
Though it’s definitely more skill than luck when it comes to football, Mahomes has been quite the star player for the Kansas City Chiefs. With him leading the team, they’ve made five consecutive AFC Championship appearances, three Super Bowl appearances, and won two championships.
There’s no denying that Patrick Mahomes is powerful both on the field and on our screens. However, he’s become quite the celebrity off the field as well.
Tread Carefully
Mahomes and his fellow NFL players have amassed an unthinkably huge following and fandom, with Mahomes being one of the most talked about sportspeople of all time on fan-favorite update site Bleacher Report, even for non-sport-related updates.
However, with fame, every decision that Mahomes has made in his professional and sports life is highly publicized. Whether it’s a good or bad decision, there are always fans or haters with strong opinions.
In the Public Eye
Fame truly comes with the territory of being a pro athlete. NFL players are every part a celebrity as their non-sporting famous counterparts. This can be an incredible aspect of life for people in the public eye with the ability to interact with fans both in a game setting and in “real life”.
But that same public eye can cause controversy, especially when someone like Mahomes has so much money and influence. Mahomes has a record-breaking contract, and the way he’s chosen to spend his fortune and continue to be in the public eye has come under major scrutiny.
Fame and Ketchup
Even back in 2018, when he was fresh to the NFL and long before his record-breaking contract, Mahomes’ fun personality was clear for all to see, and it was lucrative for him. One of the things that drew fans to his silly off-the-field persona was his constant discussion about his love of ketchup.
Mahomes went “public” with his love of ketchup thanks to an ESPN magazine feature, explaining that he’s always adored the condiment but “now that everyone is watching every move he makes, he is sheepish about ordering ketchup.” In an effort to perhaps encourage him to go back to his roots, he gained a sponsorship with Hunt’s Ketchup.
Spend, Spend, Spend
It’s not just ketchup that you’ll find Mahomes promoting. According to Forbes, Mahomes made $20 million in sponsorship deals in the year 2021 alone, second only to Tom Brady among NFL athletes. He’s had partnerships with everything from headphone brands to sportswear and even water.
With so many partnerships and sponsorships under his belt, it’s unsurprising that he’s created quite the investment portfolio for himself to go alongside it. Mahomes has a current net worth of $59.3 million. So, how does he spend it?
Back to Baseball
Well, back in 2020, Mahomes spent some of his major deal with the Chiefs by going back to his roots in more ways than one. At the age of 24, he bought a stake in the Kansas City Royals, which made him the youngest owner in MLB history.
His love of baseball is well documented and this was the perfect way to show it once again. “I love this city and the people of this great town. This opportunity allows me to deepen my roots in this community, which is something I’m excited to do,” his statement after signing the deal explains.
More Investments
However, Mahomes wasn’t the only one in the family using their money to make big moves. Also paying homage to their beloved Kansas City, Brittany Matthews acquired a share of the women’s soccer team Kansas City Current in January 2021.
In 2023, in a sweet move as a husband and sports lover, Mahomes joined his wife as a part-owner of the Kansas City Current. “I am excited to join another championship calliber club as it continues to make history,” his Instagram announcement wrote.
Not Just Sports
It’s not just sports that Patrick Mahomes has chosen to spend his fortune on. His love of ketchup may have had some part in his decision to invest in the restaurant industry. As a native Texan, Mahomes has had a hilarious ongoing social media conversation with Southern chain Whataburger, beginning when the team asked where to send him a ketchup lovers’ bundle.
Mahomes’ response, essentially asking to bring a store to Kansas City, came to fruition—with the chain announcing four Kansas City locations in 2021. What a score!
Here for a Good Time
Even though fans might have a lot to say about where Mahomes chooses to spend his fortune, it’s ultimately up to the man himself how to spend his hard-earned money. Mahomes isn’t afraid to show that he’s also a regular guy who likes to have a good time while he’s not on the field.
He’s bought a new property, been horse riding in the ocean with his wife, attended the Miami Grand Prix, and mingled with the stars. Now he’s staying in the spotlight with his wife Brittany forming a formidable friendship with celebrity it-couple of the moment, fellow Chiefs legend Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Looking to the Future
Patrick Mahomes has certainly cemented his legacy as one of the most exciting quarterbacks and most valuable pro players in sports history. He’s got a vast childhood sports career and an impressive collegiate rise to fame to prove it. So far his time with the Chiefs has been one of overwhelming success.
With his current contract lasting until at least 2031, we still have so much more to see from Patrick Mahomes. We wish him and his family all the best and hope that he continues to smash records and make legendary moves in the future—both on and off the field.
