The Truth About The Bracelets That Patrick Mahomes Wears During His Games
At just 26 years old, as of this writing, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has already had a career that most NFL players can only dream of. After being drafted by the Chiefs in 2017, NFL.com reported that the young quarterback racked up 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns in the 2018 season. Thanks to his impressive stats, he was named the league's MVP, according to Bleacher Report, but he managed to outdo even himself the following season. Mahomes and his team prevailed against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl the next year. Thus far in the 2020-2021 season, The New York Times tells us that the Chiefs are on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot, giving Mahomes and his teammates another run at greatness.
But even when he's not on the field, Mahomes is equally impressive. In April 2019, the quarterback announced his foundation — 15 and the Mahomies Foundation — on "The Tonight Show." As the star told host Jimmy Fallon, the foundation aims to improve the lives of children by focusing on health, wellness, and communities in need of resources. In addition to his charitable work with the foundation, Mahomes gives back to children in a more personal way. It all has to do with the bracelets that eagle-eyed fans may have spotted him wearing during his games. Turns out, there's a lot more to them than just statement jewelry.
Patrick Mahomes showed support for children with brain injuries
As Fox 2 Now explains, Patrick Mahomes' bracelets have a deep meaning. He wears one in memory of Luke Siegel, who died of COVID-19 complications in 2021, after suffering a brain injury as a 9-year-old. When Luke's father, Tim Siegel, launched Team Luke Hope for Minds in support of other children with brain injuries, Mahomes honored the foundation with a "Team Luke" bracelet.
As Tim told the outlet, he was surprised to see the bracelet make an appearance on the field. "The very first time, I noticed that [Mahomes] was wearing it in a game was when they show before the handoff, and I got text messages, and then I sent a message to him and said, 'Hey I didn't realize you wear it,' he goes, 'I never take it off,'" Tim said in January 2020. True to his word, Mahomes repped "Team Luke" in all of his NFL games, according to Everything Lubbock. When the bracelet snapped during a game against the New England Patriots, Mahomes promptly got in touch with Tim to receive a new one.
Following Luke's death in August 2021, Mahomes posted a tweet that shared what Luke had meant to him personally. "RIP Luke. The impact you made in my life will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Siegel family! #TeamLuke," the Super Bowl MVP wrote.
Patrick Mahomes is giving back to charities
Patrick Mahomes also wears a bracelet in honor of another very special teenager: Sophia Linenberger. According to KSN, Sophia was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2019, and because Mahomes is one of her idols, Sophia's mother took the opportunity to give him a "Sophia Strong" bracelet while at a charity event. "I said, 'Mr. Mahomes, this bracelet is from my daughter," Jenny Linenberger told the football player, per KSN.com.
Mahomes promised to wear the bracelet when he took the field, and he made good on his promise, even wearing it to the AFC Championship game. "I just want to tell him thank you, and he told me he was going to wear it and he continues to wear it and that just means so much to me especially through all the stuff I have been through," Sophia told KSN.com, while her mother added that, "Mahomes put a lot of joy in Sophia."
Additionally, Mahomes was given a bracelet in 2019 by Whitney Wells, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, per KMBC. Wells met Mahomes during the Chiefs' summer camp and gave him a fundraising wristband with the words, "You got this," which he wore in the games leading up to the Chiefs' second Super Bowl appearance. After Wells died in December 2019, Mahomes and his foundation donated $8,100 to Wells' charity.