GLENDALE, Ariz. — A replica WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt was inside a black cloth bag on the chair in front of Patrick Mahomes’ locker.
It was perhaps the only thing that could have caught Mahomes’ attention and temporarily lifted him from the euphoria of yet another Super Bowl victory – Kansas City 38, Philadelphia 35.
What do you get a man who has it all, including, at just 27, two Vince Lombardi trophies?
Mahomes happily unzipped the blanket and pulled out the belt, which featured two Chiefs logos. He examined it proudly, then threw it over his shoulder, still with pads. It was here, amid the cigar smoke of victory, that he proudly posed for photos before wearing it into the defensive locker room for the lads there to dance and celebrate with.
“Phew, I need a Coors Light,” he said to no one in particular, even as they brought champagne. He probably took his beer. Whatever the champion wanted, the champion got.
There were bigger and stronger players in Sunday’s Super Bowl. There were also faster and more elusive ones. However, none were tougher than the No.15, who saw his ankle bruised as his legend grew.
“This man,” said Chiefs wide receiver/punt returner Kadarius Toney, “is a warrior.”
The right ankle that had dogged him throughout those playoffs flared up again after a tackle late in the second quarter. At halftime, Mahomes was grimacing with every hampered step and the scoreboard showed Philly 24, Chiefs 14. Kansas City had only played 20 games and was only there because of a scoop-and-score. by Nick Bolton.
In the locker room at halftime, Mahomes insisted on walking around and letting everyone know he was going to be okay, that he was going to be on full throttle. “This guy is going to go 100%,” Bolton said. “If he can play, let him play. That’s his mindset.”
Mahomes said he did not receive a vaccine or take painkillers. His teammates said he just asked everyone “to bring the energy”. They knew better than to wonder if he would.
At the end of the fourth quarter, the game was tied, 35-35. Mahomes had already led three touchdowns in the second half, but the Eagles had shown resilience. Now Mahomes had the ball and Philly had his heart in his throat. It’s the most terrifying scene in the league, Patrick with the ball and a chance to win, one way or another.
In this case, he fell back to his own 47-yard line, then started to push forward as the rush crumbled around him, a sprained ankle be damned. Just like that, the improbable became unstoppable and it took off.
He crossed the 50 and turned it on.
Mahomes has never been faster, but you just have to be faster than the guy chasing you; in this case, Philadelphia defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Haason Reddick. Passed the 45, the 40, the 35, the 30 and then the 20. It was eventually knocked down but with 2:45 to go it had become a game of chess and Kansas City had all the pieces, all the leverage , not mention the king.
Seven plays later, Harrison Butker drilled the winning basket.
The heroes were all over the field in red and white – Toney’s 65-yard punt return, Isiah Pacheco’s ferocious run, Andy Reid and Eric Bienemy’s call play.
But, as always, everything in Kansas City goes through No. 15. Two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, that 26-yard run, masterful clock management.
Tom Brady is retired, almost certainly for good this time. Aaron Rodgers is not far behind. The NFL is now Mahomes’ league. He’s running this town, like Rihanna said at halftime. Five years as a starter, five AFC championship games, three Super Bowl appearances and two titles, the only active QB with more than one. Toss two league MVPs, two Super Bowl MVPs and now a WWE Championship belt after arguably the heaviest performance of his career.
Mahomes was asked if the Chiefs were a dynasty and, like any good wrestler, dismissed the hypothesis.
“I wouldn’t say dynasty yet,” he smiles. “We are not finished.”
Salary cap issues would have left the Chiefs vulnerable this year. Tyreek Hill had gone to Miami. The ball carriers were all injured. The squad was painfully young, 10 rookies in both depths.
“We had Patrick Mahomes though,” Bienemy said.
In many ways, that was history. Mahomes only thrown for 182 yards and only rushed for 44, but that didn’t paint the full picture. He and the offensive line dodged a sack.
“He’s a dog,” Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones said, before popping a reference to Michael Jordan. “Next year, you’ll all be like, ‘Is this his game against the flu?’ Pat is a one-in-a-generation type player.
As the Chiefs partied in the locker room after the game, Mahomes made several rounds to make sure he hugged or acknowledged every last teammate, coach, support staff or team owner Clark’s family member. Hunter. Offensive line. Defensive backfield. Coaches. Analysts. Never mind.
They responded as if it were a big brother’s praise. They posed for pictures with him, Facetimed him with mom or dad, or just filmed their hug. They’re all equal, a 53-man family, a 53-man championship, but Mahomes is still Mahomes.
“Toughest gun son you’ve ever met, man,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said.
The champion of champions, now with the belt to prove it.
#Patrick #Mahomes #adds #legend #Super #Bowl #performance #worthy #championship #belt #shook
