Unlike many young athletes, Patrick Mahomes didn’t specialize in one sport as a child. That wider focus may have contributed to the star quarterback’s improvisational playing style.
Mahomes’ mother, Randi Mahomes, appeared on The Mom Game Podcast last month to discuss her MVP son. Mahomes grew up playing football, baseball, and basketball without participating in travel leagues.
“When I hear people talk about it, I’m like, wow. We would have never done that,” Randi said. “How kids are training to be quarterbacks at such a young age.”
Patrick decided to focus on football in college, so he didn’t enter the NFL as polished as other top prospects. Andy Reid allowed his talented young signal-caller the freedom to roam outside the pocket and extend plays.
Having not hired a quarterback coach or sent him to instructional camps, Randi didn’t know if her son was learning how to play the position properly.
“Even the first couple years with the Chiefs, I would say, I don’t think you’re supposed to do that, like scramble around, running around,” Randi said. “And he was like, ‘Coach Reid said if it works, do it.’ I’m like, OK, but I don’t think you’re supposed to do it. But OK.”
That approach won’t work for most quarterbacks, but it did for Randi’s son. In six seasons as Reid’s starter, Mahomes has won two MVPs and three Super Bowl rings with 219 passing touchdowns and a 103.5 quarterback rating.
While she realized people would think she sounded crazy, she theorized that Mahomes learned how to play football through video games. Whether it was Reid, Madden, or any other coaches along his path, he picked up the position naturally.
“Not only does he have the ability,” Randi said of her son, “but he’s very smart when it comes to football or learning the game.”
Related: Andy Reid Wants Patrick Mahomes To Change Way He Plays In 2024