When Patrick Mahomes gets asked about political viewpoints of people close to him like his wife, or teammates like Harrison Butker, or friends like Taylor Swift, he responds by stating that he hangs out with friends because he likes them and doesn’t pay attention to their politics, that he enjoys teammates because they share the enjoyment of football, and that his love for Brittany is far deeper than their opinions on current affairs. He is attracted to kindness, genuineness, goodness, and the ways in which people treat one another while being unconcerned about how they cast their vote on election day. Though no politician, he seems to handle the press and their questions better than most seasoned statesmen do.
Patrick Mahomes is clearly an unusually gifted person who is a leader on and off the field of play. In their book, Kingdom Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs, and How a Once Swingin’ Cow Town Chased the Ultimate Comeback, authors Mark Dent and Rustin Dodd from Overland Park write about this First Team All-Pro, Two-Time NFL MVP, Three-Time Superbowl Champion, whose awards are too many to list and whose impact is too profound to capture while still in his twenties, as a man who unites people in incomprehensible ways. The focus of their book chronicles the struggles of racism and real estate in KC, how African American Chiefs’ players in Superbowl IV were not permitted to live in parts of the kingdom where Patrick and Brittany resided during Superbowl LIV, and how Mahomes helps us rise above political issues that shackle citizens.
Though most of us cringe when our favorite celebrities speak about their political viewpoints, wishing that they would keep their opinions to themselves, Mahomes seems to ignore the divisive bait while not ignoring the questions and he rises above the fray. The way he handles a game is the Roman philosopher Seneca’s definition of good luck: the intersection of preparation and opportunity. It may not always go Patrick’s way, and he makes mistakes, but he is always prepared and always desires to do better. Those who study brain waves and thought processes stand in awe of his functionary skills and instincts. Some spiritualists use him as an example of contemplative intellect, analysis, and reason. The manner in which he works through plays in his mind, repeating them over and over, considering various scenarios, and factoring in inevitable variables, is what many great spiritualists or mystics attempt to do in the game of life rather than the game of football; that’s how they spend their prayer.
Unlike many politicians who view opponents as their enemies, Patrick sees them as companions and associates who are offering their best while chasing victories. He gets a kick out of Cincinnati residents that refer to our stadium as “Burrowhead” and is legitimately happy when Lamar Jackson earns league MVP honors. He wants the best from himself, from fellow players, and from our city. Most of all, it seems that Mahomes is known for his genuine goodness. When he was drafted in 2017, he moved to an apartment on the Plaza where his neighbors were impressed by his thoughtfulness in carrying their groceries or moving furniture for them. His first home was a symbol of Kansas City redlining and racial discrimination; Curtis McClinton, Buck Buchanan, Otis Taylor, and other stars of the Chiefs’ Superbowl victory over half a century ago and who were refused ownership in the same area, credit Lamar Hunt and Hank Stram for breaking down some of the racial barriers in football and challenging our city to follow. Like many of you, I think that Mahomes and the NFL have done more to curtail racism than has political legislation, rallies, or demonstrations.
As another big election season ramps up across our nation, rather than bragging about who has bigger crowds, who has more followers, who has more likes, or who gets more votes, we may want to think like Mahomes: respect the opponent as one who seeks a better America, not as an enemy, honor teammates and friends for their kindness, goodness, and how they reach out to help others, rather than their political views, and rise above divisions. Think things through, become contemplatives who reflect, reason, and analyze; consider the possibilities and variables that could unfold, use good instinct, and be prepared while watching for opportunities. Chiefs’ kingdom can shine beyond Arrowhead to every corner of our region, and God’s Kingdom can be manifest here if we play like champions in all that we do.
