Patrick Mahomes Discusses His Blackness, Responds To Critics
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best player in the NFL today. Winning a Super Bowl at age 24 this past season only further cemented his rising star in the league.
Unfortunately, all of Mahomes’ accolades have not shielded him from criticism on social media and in the media.
Sometimes the criticism is directly related to on-the-field happenings, with folks suggesting that he is simply the benefactor of a great system instituted by Andy Reid and tons of talent on the team.
Other times, it is more personal.
During a recent interview, Mahomes addressed having his blackness questioned on social media.
“I’ve seen how people, on Twitter, have tweeted and said, ‘Oh, you’re not full Black,’” he said.
“But I’ve always just had the confidence and believed in who I am. And I’ve known that I’m Black. And I’m proud to be Black. And I’m proud to have a white mom too. I’m just proud of who I am. And I’ve always had that confidence in myself.”
Mahomes also understands that some view him as privileged for being the son of a former Major League Baseball player. He acknowledged this much is true – having a pro athlete father was certainly something that made his life easier.
“The more I mature, I’ve learned that I was blessed to be in the situation that I was in,” he said.
#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/sfwF9Uvgaa
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 5, 2020
Recently, Mahomes has taken to speaking out against racism. The decision has been met with much critical acclaim – certainly a far different response than his Trayvon Martin comments once got.
As Mahomes’ profile continues to rise, it will be interesting to see how vocal he ultimately ends up being on social issues.
Related: Paul Casey Mocked On Twitter Over Memorial Showing
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
