Former MLB pitcher Patrick Mahomes Sr., father of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes II, once gave Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce a pep talk after a game. That pep talk was foundational to Kelce’s relationship with the MVP QB.
It was the first game of the 2018 season, where Mahomes II was the starter and the Chiefs were in Los Angeles to play the Chargers. Chiefs won the game 38-28. Mahomes was electric and threw four TD passes. Kelce had one catch for six yards.
After two straight All-Pro honors and two straight 1,000 yard receiving seasons, Kelce could have felt some kind of way about the young QB.
Pat Mahomes Sr. Gives Kelce A Pep Talk
Enter Mahomes Sr.
“Kelce’s a team guy but you could tell he was upset with the way he played that day,” Mahomes Sr. recalled. “What I was trying to telling him was, knowing my son from watching him all these years is he’s going to throw the ball to whoever is open. It doesn’t matter what number or name you have on your jersey. … I told him his day was coming. The next game against Pittsburgh he had two or three touchdowns, and he came up to me after the game and said, ‘You were right, pops.'”
"You were right, pops!"
The OG @PMahomes tells @ChrisCarlin & @ChrisCanty99 a GREAT story from his son and @tkelce's first @Chiefs game together and explains how close they have gotten since. #ChiefsKingdom #SBLVII
Story previously told by @PatrickMahomes on @newheightshow 👀 pic.twitter.com/QD0y7Sr85V
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) February 2, 2023
It would’ve been easy for an established player like Kelce to bristle or buck back at the young QB for not getting him the ball. Pro athletes are ultra competitive.
Having Mahomes Sr. talk to him probably meant something to Kelce. Hearing from his QB’s dad, who is a former pro athlete himself, they can communicate in a language we mere mortals don’t understand.
Kelce and Mahomes II’s relationship has grown and the two are very close friends, even vacationing together.
“The friendship started just because we’re very similar where we want to win. But we like to enjoy life, too,” Mahomes II said. “We’ve kind of built this friendship of we’re gonna go out there and compete and we’re gonna enjoy it while we do.”
Kelce And Mahomes Family Very Close
Kelce sees the two of them being family forever.
“Man, hopefully it’s miles down the road, baby,” Kelce said. “But like I said, man, this guy’s family now. It’s something that’s genuine and that’s what’s real, and I’m sure the relationship is gonna go far beyond this game.”
Speaking of the game. Mahomes II and Kelce are set to appear in their third Super Bowl with the Chiefs as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 12. They’ll be going for their second win and looking to join the rare air of multiple Super Bowl champions.
Mahomes II, no stranger to making history, will do so once again on Super Bowl Sunday just by taking the field. The matchup against the Eagles and QB Jalen Hurts will be the first time ever that two Black QBs are going head to head.
“To have two Black quarterbacks start in the Super Bowl, I think it’s special,” Mahomes told reporters on Thursday. “I’ve learned more and more about the history of the Black quarterback since I’ve been in this league. The guys that came before me and Jalen set the stage for this and now I’m just glad we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now. It’ll be a great game against two great teams and against another great quarterback. I’m excited to go out there and do what we can against a great team.”
The Eagles enter the game as slight favorites (-1.5) over the Chiefs.
