Patrick Mahomes grew up around baseball more than football.
He admitted in an interview with Time magazine posted Tuesday that baseball was his “first love” as he watched his father, Pat Mahomes, pitch for several Major League Baseball teams.
Alex Rodriguez, who played with the Kansas City Chiefs star’s father when both were with the Texas Rangers in 2001, recalled the “worst advice” he gave the future quarterback.
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Former MLB player Alex Rodriguez, center, watches Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2, 2020 in Miami. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
“Patrick Mahomes has always had the heart of a champion. I remember Pat when he was young, he would come to practice with his dad to play baseball for me and my teammates,” Rodriguez wrote as Mahomes was named the one of the “most influential people”. in the world.”
“I distinctly remember giving him the worst advice ever. ‘Don’t play football. The money is in baseball.’ I’m happy to be wrong and glad he didn’t listen! Patrick transcended football to become one of the most respected athletes of all time, on and off the field.
“His insatiable desire to win is surpassed only by his passion to give back and make the world around him better. Patrick’s legacy will live far beyond his playing days. And, as evidenced by his victories consecutive Super Bowls, it’s not over yet!”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws out the ceremonial first pitch as the Kansas City Royals host the New York Yankees on May 18, 2018 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
PATRICK MAHOMES EXPOSES HIMSELF TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND PRAISES HIS INTEREST IN FOOTBALL
Mahomes told the magazine he didn’t like having to hit off a tee, especially when he saw Rodriguez lead the majors in home runs at the time.
“I’m like, ‘I just want you to throw it to me.’ I go to Alex Rodriguez, he leads the league in home runs and he hits off the tee every day,” Mahomes said. “It taught me that even when I get where I want to get, I can’t let the fundamentals slip away. I can’t stop working and doing the little things. That’s what makes people great .”
Mahomes was drafted by the Detroit Tigers He dropped out of high school but instead chose to play football at Texas Tech. He said he wanted to play three years of football and three years of baseball before returning to the draft pool.
NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks away during the Big Slick Celebrity Softball game before a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 2, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
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However, his football stardom took off with the Red Raiders. The Chiefs ended up trading up in the draft to select Mahomes, and in seven seasons, Kansas City won four Super Bowls, winning three.
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