The lasting reminiscence Patrick Mahomes left of the 2024 NFL season is that he in the end misplaced.
He failed.
That, reasonably than proceed his chase of Tom Brady’s file seven-ring Tremendous Bowl domination and set an unprecedented mark by profitable three consecutive championships, Mahomes fell brief. And never simply fell brief as a result of his workforce betrayed him, however as a result of he performed poorly and wasn’t what anybody, together with himself, anticipated.
Mahomes Exhibits Grace And Class
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and extensive receiver JuJu Smith- Schuster (9) stroll off the sector after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles through the NFL Tremendous Bowl 59 soccer sport, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photograph/Abbie Parr)
So, sure, bitter disappointment.
And have you learnt how, amid all that defeat and failure and disillusion, Mahomes dealt with the second?
Like a champion.
He took his beating, as did all of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in that 40-22 ultimate that wasn’t actually as shut because the rating, and dealt with it like a grown man afterward. Like an expert.
Like a winner.
Mahomes sought out opposing quarterback Jalen Hurts, shook his hand and supplied congratulations. He additionally shook arms with a few different victorious Philadelphia gamers, together with offensive deal with Lane Johnson, after which he ran off the sector.
Even Tom Brady Did not Deal with This Properly
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Confetti falls as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks off the sector after Tremendous Bowl LII in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities)
No large deal?
Tom Brady did not shake Nick Foles’ hand after the Eagles beat the Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LII. Kyle Shanahan did not shake Andy Reid’s hand after the Tremendous Bowl a yr in the past. It is the fashionable factor to do, however typically the ache and frustration of the second wipe away the veneer of excellent sportsmanship.
As a result of shedding these video games hurts. So much. And Mahomes has now misplaced two of them, together with one to Brady in Tremendous Bowl LV.
“Um, I imply, each sucked,” Mahomes mentioned. “There’s no manner round it. Anytime you lose a Tremendous Bowl, it’s the worst feeling on this planet. They’ll keep on with you the remainder of your profession.
“I imply, these would be the two losses that can inspire me to be even higher for the remainder of my profession, since you solely get so few of those, and it’s a must to capitalize on these, and so they damage in all probability greater than the wins really feel good.”
Let that marinate for a second.
The losses elicit a better lasting feeling than the victories. And but, amid that type of private emotional cataclysm, Mahomes got here to the rostrum to face reporters and answered about 14 questions or so with persistence and sophistication.
Mahomes Responds To Emotional Cataclysm
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) shakes arms with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after Tremendous Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs)
He talked about Jalen Hurts profitable all of it.
He talked about Travis Kelce probably retiring.
And he addressed his tough outing by truly taking duty for the loss.
“I threw two interceptions,” Mahomes mentioned. “I threw a pick-six, and I threw a decide that they returned to the 5-yard line, and so they scored instantly after, so once you give a workforce 14 factors, particularly a extremely good soccer workforce, a Tremendous Bowl soccer workforce, then not plenty of good issues occur.
“And so, that’s why I take possession on this loss greater than in all probability any loss in my total profession, as a result of I put us in a nasty spot, and regardless that we put up some stats on the finish of the sport, these stats didn’t actually matter, as a result of I’d already type of misplaced the momentum for this whole workforce.”
At first of Tremendous Bowl week, Mahomes was requested a number of occasions about his religion. And he boldly proclaimed his religion in Jesus Christ. He talked overtly about God.
He mentioned he needs to make use of Jesus for instance of how one can reside his life.
And, predictably, the haters mentioned that is simple to do when your workforce wins 15 of 17 regular-season video games and two playoff video games after that. It is simple to be near God when the breeze of consecutive Tremendous Bowl wins is at one’s again.
Mahomes Thanks God Even In Defeat
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts from the sideline within the second half in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-Imagn Photographs)
However what concerning the tough occasions?
The place was the quarterback’s God Sunday night whereas he was getting sacked six occasions? And the place did this mess of a sport depart Mahomes and his professed religion?
The reply to each questions is strictly the place all of it was earlier than the sport.
God apparently allowed the Chiefs to take one on the chin. They are saying setbacks are a set-up for an important comeback. I consider that is within the Gospels someplace as a result of Jesus suffered unspeakable punishment on the cross on Friday and died, however did not keep that manner very lengthy.
Sunday’s grand victory absolutely got here.
Mahomes, in the meantime, thanked God after the Kansas Metropolis loss. He thanked God “for each alternative he has given me.”
That does not change the very fact the Eagles have been higher. It does not change the very fact Mahomes went dwelling with an L.
However neither did that loss change the very fact Mahomes took the setback like a champion.
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