Star Quarterback Patrick Mahomes Reveals His Political Philosophy

In a year marked by both personal triumphs and national tragedies, Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, has opened up about his political views and how he navigates the complex interplay of sports, politics, and his own status as a public figure.

During an exclusive interview with TIME for their TIME100 2024 feature, Mahomes shared insights into his approach to political engagement and the responsibilities he feels as an influential figure both on and off the field.

The past year has been particularly significant for Mahomes, not only for his on-field achievements, which include leading the Chiefs to another Super Bowl victory, but also for his increasing involvement in social issues. “You have to build a consistency of a career,” Mahomes noted during the interview.

Following the mass shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade, Mahomes has been contemplative about his role in the broader national conversation about gun control and violence. “I continue to educate myself,” Mahomes told TIME. “I don’t want to make a quick response to something that takes a lot of education to really learn and make a swaying comment based off that. But I know we have to find a solution of some way to make this stuff stop.”

Changing the game.

Patrick Mahomes has been named one of @TIME’s Most Influential People of 2024. pic.twitter.com/8wIOybfSKt

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 16, 2024

This political season, Mahomes is keen on encouraging voter turnout without pushing for any specific candidates. “I don’t want to pressure anyone to vote for a certain President,” he said. “I want people to use their voice, whoever they believe in. I want them to do the research.”

Mahomes’ mixed-race background and his wide appeal across different demographics have positioned him as a uniquely relatable figure in the modern American landscape. The relatability extends into his personal life, where despite his celebrity status, he engages in everyday pleasures and challenges, from his well-known love for Chick-fil-A to dealing with the logistics of family life as a father.

As Mahomes continues to dominate on the football field, his thoughts on political issues and his actions off the field resonate deeply with fans and non-fans alike. With his commitment to education and thoughtful engagement, Mahomes is setting a standard for how athletes can influence public discourse in a positive way.

The quarterback’s approach can be summed up in his own words from the interview: “I’ve had a great run. I think I’ve done a great job so far. But it’s hard to take away from what Tom [Brady] did for so long, what [Peyton] Manning did, or Aaron Rodgers. There are so many guys, they were at such a high level for such a long time. In order to be in that conversation, you have to do that on a year-to-year basis. You can’t take it for granted that you did it the year before.”

As the NFL season progresses and the political climate in America remains charged, Patrick Mahomes will undoubtedly continue to be a key figure in both arenas, navigating his roles with the poise and deliberation that fans have come to expect from one of football’s greatest players.