In a rollercoaster of a year that’s seen personal highs and national lows, Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn’t shy about throwing his hat in the political ring. Fresh from his latest Super Bowl win and a shocking mass shooting at the celebratory parade, Mahomes is more than just plays and passes – he’s about making statements, too.
Chatting up a storm with TIME for their glitzy TIME100 2024 gig, Mahomes got real about the weight of his words and the power plays off the field. This year wasn’t just another trophy on the shelf; it was about stepping up to the social scrimmage line.
Dishing on his increasingly vocal stance on hot-button issues, Mahomes played it cool and collected. “You have to build a consistency of a career,” he shared, keeping it 100 about his game plan on and off the turf.
When the confetti turned to chaos at the Chiefs’ victory lap, Mahomes took a timeout to reflect on America’s gun violence epidemic. “I continue to educate myself,” he confessed to TIME, playing it safe but serious. “I don’t want to make a quick response to something that takes a lot of education to really learn and make a swaying comment based off that. But I know we have to find a solution of some way to make this stuff stop.”
Election season? Mahomes is all about the voter vibes, but don’t expect him to play favorites. “I don’t want to pressure anyone to vote for a certain President,” he asserted. “I want people to use their voice, whoever they believe in. I want them to do the research.”
Changing the game.
Patrick Mahomes has been named one of @TIME’s Most Influential People of 2024. pic.twitter.com/8wIOybfSKt
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 16, 2024
Beyond the field, Mahomes’ mixed-heritage and everyman charm have fans feeling like he’s the guy next door – if next door is a mansion with a Super Bowl ring. Whether he’s chowing down on Chick-fil-A or juggling daddy duties, Mahomes keeps it relatable.
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With his eye on the ball and heart on his sleeve, Mahomes is not just playing for wins – he’s aiming for change. Reflecting on his career and the legends before him, he knows the score. “I’ve had a great run. I think I’ve done a great job so far. But it’s hard to take away from what Tom [Brady] did for so long, what [Peyton] Manning did, or Aaron Rodgers. There are so many guys, they were at such a high level for such a long time. In order to be in that conversation, you have to do that on a year-to-year basis. You can’t take it for granted that you did it the year before.”
As the game days roll on and the political headlines buzz, keep your eyes on Mahomes. Whether he’s dodging tackles or dodging tough questions, this Chief is leading the charge both on the field and off.