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Let me start by saying that Patrick Mahomes is inordinately famous. Like, more famous than anyone reading this will ever be.
But there is another level of fame, one that I believe he will reach this weekend.
Mahomes right now is Sports Famous. Anyone who follows sports even remotely knows who he is, and that’s great. They should. He’s excellent at football. But there are a boatload of people in this country who don’t follow sports at all. And for them, maybe they’ve heard of Mahomes? But they don’t know him.
This isn’t a knock on Mahomes but just a statement of reality. There are few NFL players who cross over to “household name” territory of fame, true fame. Tom Brady is one. Tim Tebow another. Michael Strahan got there, but people know him more as a TV personality as opposed to anything he did in his career.
Being a quarterback helps: Peyton and Eli are household names, as is Brett Favre. Drew Brees got there (with a little help from Ellen). Russell Wilson got there (with a lot of help from Ciara).
If Mahomes has the Super Bowl I think he’s about to (and you can read my colleague Steven Ruiz more on the game itself), I think he’s about to jump to that stratosphere of fame.
It’s about time, too. Mahomes might be the most exciting player in the NFL at any position — only Lamar Jackson can be in the discussion with him (and DeShaun Watson comes close, too). Mahomes can run and scramble, and he can bomb a throw 70 yards if he needs to. He throws wild tosses sidearm and tries stuff constantly, like some unholy mix of Steve Young and Brett Favre,
He also talks like a gravelly voiced muppet, loves his teammates, and is totally charming with press. I hope he has a breakout, because more of the world needs to learn about the magic of Patrick Mahomes.
Wednesday’s Big Winner: Coach K
Mike Krzyzewski chewed out the Cameron Crazies after they taunted former Duke player and assistant Jeff Capel. Capel didn’t mind it, but I want to congrats Coach K on finally embracing being an old crank who yells at teens. You fought it for a long time, but time comes for us all.
Quick Hits: Shaq, buzzer beaters, and more
– Shaq broke down honoring his late teammate Kobe Bryant in a stirring speech.
– May I interest you in a wild, half-court, buzzer-beating hook shot from Maine?
– Tyreek Hill started to do a Pat Mahomes impression, then realized he was costing himself throws in the Super Bowl, and stopped immediately