Professional athletes are simply built differently than normal people, and sometimes that manifests itself in a serious competitive nature.
It’s no secret that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a competitive guy, but I didn’t realize just how much until a new report about his injury rehab over the offseason.
It turns out the thing that drove him to get through his recovery after knee surgery was trying to walk before his 11-month-old daughter.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes grabs his knee after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
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An article by The Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell talks about how Mahomes’ season came to an end last December when he injured his ACL and LCL in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The QB had surgery in Dallas, and after that the race was on to make sure he was back on his feet before his daughter was.
“After he returned to Kansas City later in the week, he shared with some of those closest to him a more immediate goal for his recovery,” McDowell wrote. “He wanted to walk before his baby daughter, 11-month-old Golden.”
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with his wife Brittany Mahomes prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 27, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Now, this is the reason (alright, one of many reasons) why Patrick Mahomes has won multiple Super Bowls, and you and I haven’t.
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It’s also why he has a golf course at his house, and I don’t even have a putting mat… although I could order one on Amazon right now and it would be here at some point tomorrow.
To be successful on a Mahomes-ian level, you have to be ultra-competitive, to the point where you’re racing your kid in a made-up “who can walk first” contest.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
I bet there were moments where she stood up while holding onto the couch while he was still rocking an air cast, and he started sweating. That’s how bad you have to hate losing if you want to be a successful quarterback.
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At the end of the piece, it’s revealed that Mahomes did get the job done and was up and walking before his kiddo took her first steps.
Was there ever any doubt?
I’m not sure how many times I have to say it: if you’re not the kind of quarterback who can outwalk a young toddler, you shouldn’t be getting under center.
