Patrick Mahomes, a lasting memory of the 2024 NFL season, is what he ultimately lost.
He failed.
It set an unprecedented mark by winning three consecutive championships rather than continuing to pursue Tom Brady's record-breaking seven-ring Super Bowl dominance. Mahomes was short. And not only was there a shortage because his team betrayed him, but because he played poorly and not everyone, including himself, expected.
Mahomes shows grace and class
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and wide receiver Juju Smith Schuster (9) lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9, 2025 in the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game in New Orleans , walk away from the field. . (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
So yes, a bitter disappointment.
And do you know how Mahomes handled the moment, amid all that defeat, failure and disillusionment?
Like a champion.
He treated it like a man who was assaulted and then grown up afterwards, like all the chiefs of Kansas City in that 40-22 final, which wasn't as close as the score. Like an expert.
Like a winner.
Mahomes sought opposing quarterback Jalen Hart and waved his hand to offer his congratulations. He also shook hands with two other victorious Philadelphia players, including offensive tackle lane Johnson, before fleeing the field.
Even Tom Brady didn't handle this well.
February 4, 2018; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) leaves the field after Super Bowl LII played against the Philadelphia Eagles at US Bank Stadium And the confetti falls down. (Mark J. Rebilas-Usa Today Sports)
Is there anything big?
Tom Brady didn't wave Nick Forress after the Eagles defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Kyle Shanahan didn't wave Andy Reed after the Super Bowl a year ago. It's classy, but sometimes there is the pain and frustration of the moment that wipes out the veneer of good sportsmanship.
Losing these games hurts. a lot. And Mahomes now loses two people, including Brady from Super Bowl LV.
“Um, I smoked both,” Mahomes said. “There's no way around that. Whenever you lose a Super Bowl, it's the worst feeling in the world. They stick to the rest of your career.
“So these are two losses that motivate me to get even better for the rest of my career. I feel good.”
Let's marinate it for a while.
Loss brings out a greater sense of perpetuality than victory. Still, amid such a personal emotional upheaval, Mahomes came to the podium and played against reporters, answering about 14 questions in patience and rank.
Mahomes responds to emotional upheavals
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hearts (1) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Caesars Super Dome's Super Bowl LIX after a Super Bowl LIX. (Mark J. Rebilas-Immagn image)
He talked about how Jalen won it all.
He spoke about the possibility that Travis Kelse might retire.
And he spoke to his rough outings by actually taking responsibility for the loss.
“I threw two intercepts,” Mahomes said. “I threw a pick six and then threw a pick that they were back on the 5-yard line and they scored quickly, so you could have 14 points on the team, especially Super Bowl Football. Give 14 points, a really good soccer team that is a team, then not many good things happen.
“And so, I'll probably take ownership of this loss more than my entire career loss because I put us in a bad place. I've already lost momentum for this whole team. , it's really important.”
At the beginning of Super Bowl Week, Mahomes was asked multiple times about his faith. And he boldly declared his faith in Jesus Christ. He spoke openly about God.
He said he wanted to use Jesus as an example of how to live his life.
And, as expected, hatred said it was easy when your team wins 15 of 17 regular season games and two playoff games. It's easy to be near God when the winds of successive Super Bowl victory are on your back.
Mahomes thank God even if he is defeated
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) responds from the sidelines to the Philadelphia Eagles of Caesar Super Dome's Super Bowl Ricks in the second half. (Image from Stephen Lew-Immagn)
But what about the rough times?
Was the quarterback god fired six times on Sunday evenings? And where did the chaos of this game leave Mahomes and his publicly declared faith?
The answer to both questions is where everything was before the game.
It appears that God allowed the chiefs to take it on their chin. They say the set-off is a great comeback setup. I believe that it is in the Gospels somewhere, as Jesus died on Friday after an indescribable punishment on the cross, but did not stay for too long.
Sunday's epic victory certainly came.
Meanwhile, Mahomes thanked God after the loss of Kansas City. He thanked God “for every opportunity he has given me.”
That doesn't change the fact that the Eagles were better. The fact that Mahomes went home on L does not change.
But that loss also did not change the fact that Mahomes broke the set like the champion.
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