The streets of Washington, D.C., were silent except for the howling wind. Snowflakes danced in the air, settling on sidewalks and abandoned benches. It was one of the coldest nights of the year when Patrick Mahomes stepped out of an upscale restaurant, adjusting his coat against the brutal chill. His security team stood close, ever watchful, as he walked toward his vehicle.
Suddenly, something caught his eye—a homeless man curled against the side of a building, his frail body shivering violently. The man’s clothes were torn, barely offering any warmth. Patrick hesitated for a moment, then without a word, shrugged off his designer coat and draped it over the man’s shoulders.
The man gasped, looking up in disbelief. He pulled the heavy coat around himself, his frozen fingers gripping the fabric as if it were his last hope. His breath came out in weak, visible puffs. Slowly, he lifted his head and met Patrick’s gaze. His eyes widened, his expression shifting from shock to something deeper.
“Mr. Mahomes,” he whispered, his voice hoarse from the cold.
Patrick narrowed his eyes, searching the man’s face. Beneath the layers of dirt and an unkempt beard, there was something oddly familiar about him. “Do I know you?” Patrick asked, his voice firm yet curious.
The man swallowed hard, emotion flickering in his tired eyes. “Yes, you do. It’s me, James.”
Patrick’s eyes widened slightly as he repeated the name. “James?” He took a step closer, observing the man’s frail features. Suddenly, a flood of memories surfaced. Years ago, James was an ambitious young entrepreneur, a man with potential and drive. Patrick had once mentored him briefly, seeing in him the same hunger for success that had defined his own rise. But the man before him now was barely a shadow of that person.
“What happened to you?” Patrick asked, his voice unusually gentle.
James lowered his head, his hands trembling. “I lost everything,” he admitted. “A bad investment, a betrayal. After that, I just couldn’t get back up.”
Patrick remained silent, considering what to do next. James let out a shaky breath, his voice cracking as he spoke. “I had it all once, Mr. Mahomes. A business, a family, a future. But I trusted the wrong people. My business partner drained our funds, leaving me with nothing but debt. I tried to fight back, but then my wife got sick. Medical bills swallowed me whole. When she passed, I lost myself. I lost the will to keep going.”
Patrick listened carefully, his expression unreadable. “And after that?”
James sighed. “The bank took my house. Friends disappeared. I had no one left. I ended up here on the streets.” He looked away, ashamed. “I never thought I’d see you again like this.”
Patrick’s security team shifted uneasily. The star athlete was spending too much time in the cold, but he ignored their concerned glances. Instead, he studied James. He had seen many people rise and fall in the business world, but something about James’s story struck a chord. Patrick had built his career through resilience. Could James do the same?
“Do you still want to fight for your life?” Patrick asked suddenly.
James hesitated. He had lived in survival mode for so long that the thought of getting back up seemed impossible. But there was something in Patrick’s gaze—an unspoken challenge. “I… I don’t know if I can,” James admitted.
Patrick smirked. “Then it’s time you find out.” Without another word, he turned to his team. “Get him a hotel room,” he ordered.
James’s eyes widened in shock. “Sir, I… I don’t think I should—”
Patrick waved off his protest. “You need a warm place to sleep, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
That night, for the first time in years, James lay in a soft bed with a warm blanket around him. He stared at the ceiling, the reality of the day settling in. Was this truly a second chance or just a fleeting moment of mercy? Either way, he knew one thing: tomorrow he had to face the man who saved him.
The next morning, James sat across from Patrick at the hotel’s restaurant, nervously sipping a cup of coffee. He still felt out of place, wearing the hotel’s provided clothes instead of the rags he had grown used to. Patrick, however, looked as confident as ever.
“You want to get back on your feet?” he asked.
James hesitated. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Patrick leaned back, studying him. “Then let’s start with one thing. Are you willing to fight for yourself?”
James swallowed. “I want to, but what if I fail again?”
Patrick smirked. “Then you get back up. That’s what winners do.”
James felt something stir inside him—a long-lost spark. Patrick made a phone call, and within hours, a clean suit arrived along with a team of barbers and stylists. James stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing the man looking back at him. His hair was neatly trimmed, his face clean-shaven. For the first time in years, he looked presentable.
“Looking sharp is step one. Now let’s see if you still have that business mind of yours,” Patrick said.
James felt a flicker of hope but also doubt. Was he really ready to return to the world he had once thrived in, or had the streets changed him forever?
Patrick arranged for James to start working at one of his businesses—not in a high-ranking position, but at the bottom, learning the ropes again. James felt overwhelmed on his first day. He had been out of the workforce for so long; would he even remember how to do this? But as he watched employees work, something clicked. The skills weren’t gone; they were just buried under years of self-doubt.
Patrick checked in on him later that week. “You catching up?”
James nodded slowly. “Yeah, it’s like riding a bike. I just needed to remember how.”
“Good, because I don’t invest in lost causes,” Patrick replied.
James felt something he hadn’t felt in years: belief in himself. As the weeks passed, he regained his confidence. He tackled projects with precision, offering insights that impressed even senior employees. He wasn’t just surviving anymore; he was thriving.
Patrick continued to mentor him, pushing him to do better. One day, an executive approached him. “You have potential,” he said. “Have you ever considered leadership?”
James was stunned. A few months ago, he was living on the streets, and now people saw him as capable again. He nodded, determination setting in. “I want to prove I can still make a difference.”
With his life stabilizing, James began thinking about those still trapped in the cycle of homelessness. He knew the pain, the hopelessness, and he knew how much a second chance could mean. He approached Patrick with an idea. “I want to start a program to help the homeless rebuild their lives,” he said. “Not just charity, but real opportunities.”
Patrick leaned back, intrigued. “You’re thinking big,” he remarked.
James nodded. “You gave me a hand when I was at my lowest. I want to do the same for others.”
“Then prove it. Show me your plan,” Patrick said.
Months later, James found himself standing in Patrick’s office, presenting his initiative. “It’s called the Second Step Program,” he explained. “A mentorship and employment project for the homeless. We focus on long-term stability, not just handouts.”
Patrick listened carefully, then leaned back with a nod. “This is good,” he admitted. “You’ve come a long way.”
James exhaled, relief washing over him. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said.
Patrick shook his head. “I gave you a coat, James. You did the rest.”
James smiled. He had always thought his life had been saved that night in the cold, but now he realized his life had truly begun the moment he decided to fight for it.
With Patrick’s backing, James launched his program. He visited shelters, speaking to those who had lost hope. “I was where you are,” he told them. “And I found a way back. So can you.”
At first, many were skeptical, but as James shared his story, people listened. Slowly, the program grew. Businesses partnered with him, offering jobs and mentorship. James personally helped former homeless individuals get back on their feet, just as Patrick had done for him.
One evening, as he walked past a shelter, he saw a man huddled in the cold. Without hesitation, James removed his coat and placed it around the man’s shoulders. “You’re not alone,” he whispered, just as Patrick had once told him.
James’s initiative didn’t just help individuals; it started a movement. Companies began opening their doors to the homeless, offering not just jobs but training and support. Communities rallied together, proving that one act of kindness could spark real change.
One day, a reporter asked James what made him start this. He smiled. “Because someone believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”
Patrick, watching James’s progress, gave a rare nod of approval. “You turned one moment into something bigger,” he said. “That’s what leadership is.”
James chuckled. “I had a good mentor.”
“You had a choice, and you made the right one,” Patrick replied.
The ripple was growing, and it was only the beginning. Years later, James stood on a stage at a charity gala, looking out at a crowd filled with people whose lives had been changed by his program. Among them sat Patrick, watching with his signature unreadable expression.
James cleared his throat. “There was a time when I thought my life was over,” he said. “But one man refused to see me as just another lost cause.” He turned toward Patrick. “Mr. Mahomes, you didn’t just give me a coat that night; you gave me back my dignity.”
Patrick gave a small nod, and the crowd erupted into applause. James had come full circle. He was no longer just the man Patrick had saved; he was now saving others.
The story of James spread far beyond Washington, D.C. People around the country were inspired, stepping up to help those in need. Homelessness wasn’t just about poverty; it was about lost hope, and James had proven that hope could be restored.
One evening, James received a letter. It was from a man who had been in the program. “Because of you, I got my family back,” it read.
James wiped away a tear. It was a reminder of how far he had come. That night, he looked up at the stars, whispering a silent thank you to Patrick, to fate, and to the moment everything changed.
The story didn’t end there. James’s program continued to grow, and his message spread across the nation. More people got involved, turning simple acts of kindness into life-changing moments.
One cold winter night, James walked past a struggling man on the street. He stopped, took off his jacket, and placed it around the man’s shoulders. The man looked up, eyes filled with disbelief.
James smiled. “You’re not alone,” he said, just as those words had once been said to him. And with that, another story began. Because sometimes, one small act of kindness doesn’t just change a life; it changes the world.
10 things to know about Patrick Mahomes: Three-time Super Bowl MVP, champion
The former Texas Tech QB has morphed into one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks since leaving Lubbock.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.(Charlie Riedel / AP)
1. The early days
Patrick Mahomes II was born on Sept. 17, 1995 in Tyler, Texas.
Mahomes played quarterback at Whitehouse High School, where he was ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals, ESPN and 247 sports.
He led Whitehouse to its first-ever district title and a 12-1 record. He established himself as a dual-threat quarterback in his senior season, throwing for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns while rushing for 948 yards and 15 touchdowns.
2. One of Texas Tech’s best QBs
Mahomes first came on the scene for Texas Tech as a freshman. In seven games during his freshman season, Mahomes completed 56.8% of his passes for 1,547 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He set the Big 12 freshman record for passing yards in a game with 598 against Baylor (before it was eventually broken by Texas Tech’s quarterback Alan Bowman.)
He improved each season after that and etched his name in Texas Tech’s career record books while playing in only three seasons.
Mahomes finished his collegiate career ranking among the best in Texas Tech’s program history. He finished third in passing yards (11,252), touchdown passes (93), second in touchdowns responsible for (115) and third in yards of total offense (12,097).
3. He’s a North Texas homeowner
The Tyler native has maintained a strong connection with his home state. In 2020, he bought a mansion along Post Oak Place in Westlake through a limited liability company.
According to a listing of the home from before the sale, the four-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate has a temperature-controlled wine room, a private loft, an infinity-edge tub and “breathtaking” views of the Vaquero golf course. Outside is a large covered patio, a firepit area, pool and spa.
4. He was a top-10 NFL draft pick
Coming out of college, Mahomes was projected to be a first or second-round pick.
Mahomes was drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 NFL draft, who traded up to get him.
In his first season, Mahomes didn’t see the field much as he was stuck behind quarterback Alex Smith. In the Chiefs’ final game of the season against the Denver Broncos, Mahomes made his NFL debut, completing 22-of-35 passes for 284 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
5. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion
Mahomes’ one game in his rookie season was enough for the Chiefs to put faith in their young star and trade away their franchise quarterback in Smith, who was coming off his career-best season in which he threw for more than 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The gamble has paid off for the Chiefs.
In 2018, Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns and was named the AP NFL MVP for that season. He was just the third player to throw for 50 touchdowns in a season, joining Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Mahomes was by far the youngest to do it at 22 years old.
The following year, Mahomes led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win over the 49ers and was named the Super Bowl MVP. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a second straight Super Bowl in 2020, where they fell to Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In the 2022-23 season’s Super Bowl, Mahomes shook off an ankle injury and pulled out another comeback on the biggest stage, leading the Chiefs to win their second Super Bowl in four years. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and scrambled 26 yards on the go-ahead drive before Harrison Butker kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8 seconds left to give the Chiefs a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the 2024 Super Bowl, Mahomes led a game-winning drive by scrambling for a pair of first downs, including one on fourth down, before hitting Mecole Hardman with a 3-yard pass for a 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It was his second straight ring and third overall. He’s only the sixth quarterback to win three Super Bowls and the second youngest, and his three championships puts Mahomes behind only Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the most by a starting QB in NFL history.
Mahomes will look to achieve a feat that no team in NFL history has when he takes the field in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans vs. the Philadelphia Eagles — a three-peat. Mahomes led his team to yet another appearance by edging out the Buffalo Bills once again, 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game.
6. Road warrior
Mahomes has enjoyed an unprecedented level of regular season and postseason success. Considering all the achievements he has piled up as an NFL starter, it may surprise a few to know that he recorded his first road playoff wins in 2024.
How is that possible? Here’s a brief explanation.
For five consecutive years, the Chiefs secured one of the AFC’s top two seeds at the end of each regular season. (They were first in 2018, 2020 and 2022) That run ended in 2023.
In the 2023-24 playoffs, Kansas City entered the postseason as the AFC’s third seed. They hosted a wild card game to kick things off but had to hit the road as their run continued. The Chiefs prevailed in hostile environments, defeating Buffalo in the divisional round and Baltimore in the AFC title game.
With Mahomes as their starter, the Chiefs have posted a 17-3 postseason record.
7. He’s another NFL product from Kliff Kingsbury
In his short time as head coach at Texas Tech, Kliff Kingsbury produced NFL quarterbacks.
Mahomes is one of five quarterbacks who Kingsbury helped move up to the NFL level, joining Case Keenum, Davis Webb, Johnny Manziel and Nic Shimonek.
Kingsbury was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, overseeing the development of young star quarterback Kyler Murray. He’s now the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders.
8. A college scout took a chance on him
As was mentioned earlier in this post, Mahomes was a three-star quarterback prospect at Whitehouse High School. According to a 2020 column from The Dallas Morning News’ Kevin Sherrington, Mahomes had practically begged TCU, Baylor and LSU to check him out the spring of his junior year at Whitehouse.
Trey Haverty, a Richardson Berkner alum who was a recruiter for Gary Patterson at TCU, was impressed with Mahomes after his first season as a high school starter in 2012. Although he couldn’t persuade Patterson to go after the East Texas product, someone in Lubbock was more than willing to bite.
After TCU, Haverty landed on Kingsbury’s staff at Texas Tech. Kingsbury loved Mahomes. He saw an heir to Manziel, the magician he’d coached as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.
9. He’s not the first pro athlete in the family
Mahomes is no stranger to the professional sports world. His father, Pat Mahomes a former MLB pitcher.
In 11 seasons, Mahomes had a 42-39 record and 452 strikeouts in 308 appearances and 709 innings pitched. He had stints with the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The younger Mahomes followed in his father’s footsteps, playing baseball in his youth and even playing on Texas Tech’s football and baseball teams his freshman year.
10. Has been compared to some of sports’ all-time greats
With a track record like his, it’s no surprise to see Mahomes listed among some of sports’ most prominent figures. In a 2022 appearance on the New Heights podcast, Mahomes said being compared to Michael Jordan blows his mind the most.
“I feel like I don’t even have that competitor that he had, man,” Mahomes said. “After watching The Last Dance and seeing that, I try to be that but it’s one of a kind. To be that competitive at all times, like if I shook his hand, he’d be like, ‘I can shake my hand tighter than you can shake your hand.’ That’s just the type of guy he is.”
Mahomes added that his favorite comparison is Warriors guard Stephen Curry since he found a way to change how basketball is played. Mahomes wants to have a similar impact at the quarterback position.
