Texas Tech Alumni

Alumni Spotlight: Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mahomes Magic is a real thing, and it seems Patrick Mahomes has been in the headlines more than ever. Specifically, after his record breaking half a billion contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite his fame and newly large fortune, you can find Mahomes still goofing around, being charitable, and supporting his alma mater, Texas Tech. Read on to learn more about his early days from high school to college, and more on how Mahomes has adapted to NFL stardom.

Early Life

Patrick Lavon Mahomes II was born in Tyler, Texas, to his father Pat, and his mother Randi Mahomes. At the time the older Pat Mahomes was an MLB pitcher. Growing up, Patrick Mahomes played baseball, basketball and football for Whitehouse High school. His stats for passing yards as senior quarterback were at 4,619 passing yards, which was enough to get him an offer to division 1 programs. His baseball career his senior was also impressive when he threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in a game. Along with Texas Tech, Rice and Houston offered him football scholarships, and Detroit drafted him in the MLB in 2014.

Texas Tech

Eventually he ended up at the school we all love, Texas Tech. Mahomes was originally a two-sport athlete playing both baseball and football at Tech but decided after his Sophomore season to focus on football. During his time at TTU Mahomes was coached under current NFL Arizona Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury. At TTU he has been ranked second all-time among Red Raider quarterbacks with 22 rushing touchdowns. Some of his career highlights include the 7 total touchdowns, 52 pass completions, 88 pass attempts, and 734 total passing yards against Oklahoma in 2016.

Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes time at Tech ended after his junior year and he declared for the draft. In the 2017 draft Mahomes was selected 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. After the Chiefs moved up in the draft to snag him. His rookie year in the NFL, Mahomes was the backup quarterback to Alex Smith. He started in one game while resting Smith, and Mahomes helped lead a 27-24 win against the Denver Broncos. In 2018 Mahomes was enjoying his second season in the NFL and his first season as the starting QB.  Mahomes has had two outstanding seasons since, with the recent one earning him the Superbowl MVP title.

NFL Stardom backed by TTU Roots

There is no doubt Mahomes recent success has shot him into to stardom. Despite his fame across the country everyone in Lubbock has been a longtime supporter of Mahomes. Mahomes as humble as ever, has realized this and shown his love right back.

Mahomes is a strong supporter of TTU. Traces of his alma mater pop up consistently throughout his popular Twitter profile of 1.2 million followers. Just in 2020 he’s mentioned Texas Tech over 30 times in some way. Whether it was retweeting TTU basketball, football, baseball, profiles. Talking to a fellow basketball/football TTU alum, or defending Lubbock against Texas ST.

He knows his roots and when he can make difference. Mahomes has clearly shown these values in his adult life by giving back through charity and showing recognition where its due. 

15 and the Mahomies

Mahomes has realized the value of giving back and has started his own charity foundation. 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. The website mission statement is stated as “15 and the Mahomies is dedicated to improving the lives of children. The Foundation will support initiatives that focus on health, wellness, communities in need of resources and other charitable causes.”

The foundations main program is called 15 for 15 that support 15 youth charitable initiatives. These initiatives focus on not just athletics, but academics, science, the arts, classroom supplies, children with disabilities, after school programs, and more. Some of his charitable initiatives just this year include: a grant for 15 scholarships for children of Navy Seals. Supporting initiatives like the Black College Football HOF, and providing lunch for first responders.

Notably he has helped children by committing $100,000 to Kansas City Public School Lunch Programs and local organizations that help families in need. According to a tweet on the foundations Twitter, “In 1 year 15 and the Mahomies has provided over $550,000 in donations to 23 different organizations focusing on education & literacy, after school programs, children with chronic illnesses or special needs, under resourced communities, animal rescues & more! The best is yet to come!

The Future

Overall, Patrick is making a name for himself across the world. Today, you can find TV commercials with Adidas, State Farm, Coors Light with Mahomes the star. Magazines front cover shots of Mahomes grace the stands. You may even see a tweet of him at the golf course with other high profile individuals. Individuals like teammate Travis Kelce, and one of our fearless leaders, AD Kirby Hocutt. Mahomes has a good head on his shoulders, support from his friends and family, and the support of the Texas Tech University behind him. We are so proud of him, and can’t wait to see the legacy Mahomes creates.

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