Key Takeaways:
– NFL star Patrick Mahomes faces contract limitations on risky off-season activities, including basketball.
– Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid warns all players about potential injuries due to dangerous off-season hobbies.
– Ex-Chiefs safety, Tyrann Mathieu, confirms the basketball ban initiated after a video of Mahomes playing went viral.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, one of the NFL’s most valuable players, could jeopardize his colossal $450 million contract if he continues to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes, basketball. This revelation, which came from ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi, has fans questioning whether a pricey basketball court at Mahomes’ residence was such a good idea.
Mahome’s Risky Hoop Dreams
As Raimondi reported in his article “What NFL Players Aren’t Supposed to Do in the Offseason,” Mahomes could potentially lose guaranteed money from his contract should he get injured playing basketball, among other activities. This rule applies not just to Mahomes, but all players under the Chiefs’ banner.
Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid, acknowledged the clause without mincing his words, “All the dangerous things, things where they get hurt, you don’t want them doing.”
However, the Chiefs’ strict stance regarding basketball might be a little surprising considering Mahome’s passion for the game. The quarterback has a state-of-the-art basketball court in his Kansas City mansion, a risk he was aware of when he jokingly mentioned not telling Chiefs’ general manager, Brett Veach, about it three years ago.
Mahomes’ Viral Basketball Performance
Former Chiefs Safety, and now New Orleans Saints player, Tyrann Mathieu said the basketball ban only came into effect after a video of Mahomes playing basketball went viral.
In fact, it seems a particular video which showed Mahomes showcasing his undeniable talent at a pickup basketball game in Overland Park, in February 2019, might have been a contributing factor.
If Mahomes insists on shooting hoops, it might be best to keep these activities confined to his home court, far from the public eye.
Hoops, Mahomes, and Carmelo Anthony
Interestingly, Mahomes’ basketball fascination doesn’t stop on the court; it extends to the NBA. His favorite player? Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. Mahomes wore No. 5 at Texas Tech due to Anthony, although he had to switch to No. 15 at Kansas City because the former number was already taken.
Mahomes explained, “I was a Carmelo Anthony fan, I was like going the other way. Everybody was a LeBron fan. I love LeBron. But at the same time, I wanted to kind of have that guy.”
In conclusion, basketball seems to play a significant part in Mahomes’ life. Still, with the sizable contract, he bagged with the Chiefs, discretion may be needed to keep his NFL career secure. Regardless of his talents on the court, it’s on the NFL field where Mahomes is most needed and celebrated – and where he makes his millions.