In these highly divisive times, sports figures and Hollywood celebrities have become increasingly vocal about their political affiliations. While most of them have come out in support of left-leaning causes and candidates, others have notably and vehemently come out supporting former President Donald Trump, such as musician Kid Rock, UFC president Dana White, and wrestler Hulk Hogan. Interestingly, unlike those above, the football superstar Patrick Mahomes’ politics are not something he declares out loud.
Colin Kaepernick and Political Opinions in the NFL
While I respect everyone’s right to freely voice their political opinions, I also believe sports and entertainment are a vital and much-needed escape from the constant political drumbeat. During the BLM protests of summer 2020, even the NFL, once a unifying force for people of all political persuasions to chat about around the water cooler at work, became a divisive topic.
Many were forced with the unenviable task of throwing their support behind either then-struggling quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who notoriously wore socks depicting police officers as cartoon pigs and who encouraged his fellow players to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality, or then-President Trump, who referred to those players who did so as “sons of bitches.”
While protesting against excessive force and police brutality is certainly a worthy cause, a divisive figure such as the multimillionaire Kaepernick, who has ridiculously called for the abolition of both police and prisons, is hardly the most qualified candidate for such advocacy. Furthermore, to time the protest during the national anthem, a great unifying moment for Americans of all races, creeds, and colors, was also extremely off-putting to many. In contrast, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and his coalition marched for justice WITH the American flag held high.
For his part, Trump, in his famously caustic fashion, appealed only to his base supporters and further inflamed the already high racial tensions in the country. There was a way he could have voiced support for transparency and restraint during police interactions, while at the same time praising the sacrifices of police officers and their hard work at keeping our communities safe. In a moment where nuance and unity were required, he displayed neither.
Patrick Mahomes’ Politics
Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback, and three-time Super Bowl champion/Super Bowl MVP, has had the rare distinction of garnering enormous success on and off the football field, while maintaining a politically neutral and highly likable reputation. Patrick Mahomes’ politics never factor into the equation. The biracial Mahomes, who was born to a white mother and a black father, has displayed poise and class whether battling it out on the turf or speaking from behind a podium.
There has not been an athlete, since maybe Derek Jeter, that has navigated the notoriously vicious sports media vultures with such aplomb. Several NFL player surveys and likability aggregation websites have listed him as far and away the most popular athlete in the sport. All the while, he has maintained this popularity even with significant drama ensnaring several of his close family members.
Recently, Brittany Mahomes, Patrick’s high school sweetheart, wife, and mother to their two young children, created a stir by “liking” several posts on the Instagram platform regarding the support of Trump’s 2024 ticket and political policies for his prospective new administration.
Also drawing the ire of social media woke scolds was Taylor Swift, the music superstar, and girlfriend of his teammate tight end Travis Kelce. Her crime? Shortly after Brittany’s “controversial” social media activity, Swift was seen celebrating with and embracing her while the two watched the US Open tennis tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. Gasp! The horror! However, Swift, the climate advocate/private jet enthusiast, quickly regained the favor of her mostly left-wing fans with her wordy endorsement of the 2024 Harris/Walz ticket, which she posted to her social media platforms.
I don’t want my place and my platform to be used to endorse a candidate or do whatever, either way. I think my place is to inform people to get registered to vote.
Patrick’s younger brother, Jackson Mahomes, is a controversial figure with a significant social media presence, particularly on TikTok where he is known for his flashy style and eccentric dancing. Recently, he was charged with sexual battery against a woman, for which he pleaded guilty to one count of battery, receiving probation. In addition, Patrick’s father, former Major League Baseball pitcher Patrick Mahomes Sr., was recently charged and arrested for driving while intoxicated, one of several highly visible vehicular infractions he’s been hit with over the years. Patrick Jr. navigated these potentially challenging situations with the right balance of support for his family members, while not excusing away their misdeeds.
At a recent press conference, reporters tried to corner Mahomes into declaring his allegiance to one of the candidates from the two major political parties for the upcoming presidential election, referencing his wife’s social media endorsement of former President Trump. In true expert fashion, he dodged such divisive questions with his usual tact: “I don’t want my place and my platform to be used to endorse a candidate or do whatever, either way,” Mahomes said before heading out to practice for an upcoming game against Cincinnati. “I think my place is to inform people to get registered to vote. It’s to inform people to do their own research and then make the best decision for them and their family.”
Takeaways
In 1990, while being pressured by political activists into publicly campaigning for a Democrat congressional candidate against a Republican rival, NBA superstar Michael Jordan refused to do so, famously stating “Republicans buy sneakers too.” One could argue that Mahomes’ apolitical ethos could be tied to that same logic. After all, he is a brand ambassador to several major companies including Adidas, State Farm, and Head and Shoulders.
While it could make sense financially not to alienate a large segment of your fans by making a political endorsement, there appears to be a seemingly more genuine aspect to his political neutrality. He seems to sincerely want to be a uniter, not a divider, and leave the fiery political rhetoric where it should be, far away from the sports world.
Should Patrick Mahomes’ politics be something he speaks on? How do you feel about politics and sports mixing? Let us know in the comments below.
Also, if you liked this article check out our article on Simone Biles, another apolitical athlete similar to Patrick Mahomes.
