Patrick Mahomes Can Make Good on a Sentimental Promise in the Super Bowl

It goes without saying that the Super Bowl comes with plenty of stakes. The game transcends sports and the term has become synonymous with major events: We talk about things like the Super Bowl of concerts, chili cook-offs and everything in between.

And when you consider Patrick Mahomes, the stakes get even higher. While the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has already proven to be an elite athlete, there's no room for missteps when you're chasing all-time greatness. Most players would dream of appearing in one Super Bowl, let alone four, but Mahomes is dealing with legacy-related conversations. If he falls flat against the 49ers, it's safe to assume that there will be hot takes questioning if he's really who you want under center in the biggest moments, even though he's won the Big Game twice.

But there's something else the signal-caller can check off on Super Bowl Sunday: a sentimental promise he made earlier this season.

At the tail end of 2023, Mahomes met with Issac Murdock, a young fan who, as the Chiefs' official video explained, "was born with a rare spinal defect that renders him unable to walk." The quarterback appeared with "a special Christmas gift."

"On behalf of my foundation, 15 and the Mahomies, and the Kansas City Chiefs, we're giving you Super Bowl tickets to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas," the quarterback explained.

But that wasn't all he had up his sleeve. Mahomes also had a promise for Murdock.

"My promise is that when we get to the Super Bowl, and we score a touchdown, I'm gonna look for you, and I'm gonna be throwing you the football in this seat right here," No. 15 added. "Alright? Sound good?"

And while that may seem like a fairly boilerplate, if wholesome interaction—promising to throw someone a touchdown and then delivering is a pop-cultural trope at this point—the quarterback did show some confidence in that moment.

It's unclear exactly when Mahomes delivered his gift, but it's safe to assume that it was sometime leading up to Christmas. That would have put the interaction during a difficult stretch for the Chiefs.

After their Week 10 bye, K.C. lost to the Eagles on November 20 before bouncing back against the Raiders. The reigning champs then dropped three of the next four contests, losing to the Packers (December 3), the Bills (December 10) and the Raiders (December 25). December's only victory came on the 17th in a drab road win over the struggling Patriots.

Again, it's not exactly clear when Mahomes met with Murdock, but depending on the week, the Chiefs were probably somewhere between 7-3 and 9-5. At least outside of the organization, there were some doubts that the offense could hold it together; at one point, the AFC West title even seemed to be at risk.

If the Chiefs' quarterback was feeling any doubts, though, he didn't show them. He promised that "when" the club made it to the Super Bowl and scored, he'd be looking for Murdock with the game ball.

After three tough playoff wins, Mahomes and company will be in Las Vegas. And if the past several seasons are anything to go by, it's safe to assume that he'll throw at least one touchdown pass on the night.

There's no better time than football's biggest stage to make good on a promise.