Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the spotlight thrust upon him in a new way after being named one of the world’s most influential people.
Mahomes may be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he isn’t worried about that for now. He focuses on creating the legacy many people have already bestowed upon him.
Even if he does not admit it, Patrick’s legacy continues to grow. His most recent accolade has less to do with football and more to do with the person he has become.
The Kansas City Chiefs Most Influential Person
Mahomes has been enshrined in global media, as he is featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s most influential people for 2024. For his impact in sports and media, Mahomes was elected in the “Titan” category.
Only a handful of NFL athletes have been presented this award, and even fewer have made the cover. This is an honor for Mahomes and the Chiefs as they continue to add to the history books.
Is Mahomes the Best?
Mahomes spoke to his status within the article. Although he is happy where he is at, he has a long way to go.
“But he’s “nowhere near”—Mahomes’ words—GOAT status right now. “You have to build a consistency of a career,” says Mahomes. “You see that in any sport. 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.” So he’ll table the GOAT discussion—for now. “That’s something I’ll talk about when I’m done playing,” Mahomes says. “Then people can make those decisions.”
Chiefs Global Audience
The Chiefs and Mahomes were able to reach an entirely new audience with the help of All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce sparked a relationship with global superstar Taylor Swift, and the “Swifties” followed in bunches to watch the NFL on its biggest stage.
“The NFL, already an established juggernaut, received an unexpected boost this season when Swift’s legion of fans tuned in, and the Chiefs in particular benefited from the surge. Super Bowl LVIII was the most-watched program in history, averaging 123.4 million viewers across all platforms, up more than 7% over last year’s audience. These were the most-watched NFL playoffs ever.”
The vast audience that the NFL continues to reach has only helped show the impact that a player such as Mahomes can have.
Mahomes Impact off the Field
Time cites multiple non-football reasons for Mahomes nomination for most influential people. The unfortunate events at the Kansas City Super Bowl parade were most recently looked at for how Mahomes can have a positive effect in the aftermath of tragedy.
“Praying for Kansas City,” Mahomes tweeted. He and Brittany went to the hospital to visit two young sisters, 10 and 8, who were shot in the legs. They donated $50,000 to a fund the Chiefs started to aid the victims and first responders and support violence-prevention organizations.
Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Mahomes and other Black NFL players posted a video calling for the NFL to condemn racism and “admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting,” a clear reference to the backlash against Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem.
Mahomes also joined LeBron James’ “More Than A Vote” campaign to increase African American turnout for the 2020 election.
Mahomes Legacy
Mahomes remains committed to building the strongest dynasty the NFL has ever seen. He is already focused on his next Super Bowl, rather than reflecting on his previous one. Reflection is a strong tool, but Mahomes uses it to find strength in his goals right in front of him, not in the totality of it all.
“At the end of my time, I just want to say that I didn’t leave anything out there,” he says. “My family and football are the first things I want to be great at. If I can go out there and say that I gave everything I had on the football field, expectations are what they are and whatever is going to happen is going to happen. And I can be satisfied with that.”
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