A young quarterback steps into the huddle, looks his teammates in the eye, and says, “Let’s be great.” It’s not a Hollywood script; it’s just another day at Arrowhead Stadium. This is the Patrick Mahomes effect, a phenomenon that’s not only rewriting NFL record books but also capturing ESPYS awards like they’re interceptions ripe for the taking.

Mahomes just became the first NFL player to win the ESPY for Best Athlete, Men’s Sports twice. It’s a feat so rare that you’d have better luck finding a Chiefs’ fan who doesn’t own a Mahomes jersey.

Andy Reid, the Chiefs’ wise old sage, stepped up to accept the award on Mahomes’ behalf. His words echoed through the hall like a battle cry: “We’re very lucky to have him in Kansas City. All of us are in the National Football League, really, but in Kansas City, we appreciate all he does for the city itself and obviously for the organization.”

This latest trophy joins Mahomes’ growing collection, which includes the Best NFL Player award he snagged just a day earlier. It’s his fifth ESPYS overall. Mahomes now stands in rarified air among NFL players who’ve claimed the Best Athlete Men’s Sports award. He joins the exclusive company of Steve Young (1995), LaDainian Tomlinson (2007), Drew Brees (2010), and Tom Brady (2021). But Mahomes has done what none of them could – win it twice.

For Mahomes, it’s not about the gold. As he tweeted after the win: “Incredible athletes across the board in this category. Blessed and honored to bring home this award again. Thanks to the fans and @ESPYS 🙏 Big dawg Andy crushed too.”

Reid’s speech painted a picture of a quarterback who’s not just slinging touchdowns, but also setting the bar as a human being. “To watch him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal,” Reid mused, “but really more than that, to watch him grow as a father and as a husband has probably been the best part of that.” It’s clear that in the Reid playbook, character trumps even the most spectacular no-look pass.

The Chiefs’ head coach didn’t stop there. He emphasized Mahomes’ team-first mentality, stating, “He knows this is a team award. He would want me to make sure that I say that.” It’s this selfless attitude that has Chiefs Kingdom bowing to their king.

Patrick Mahomes’ legacy beyond the field

Mahomes extends his influence well beyond the Arrowhead Stadium’s touchdown lines. The quarterback doesn’t just lead his teammates on the field, but he also guides them in everyday life. It is seen in his off-field actions and when he acts as a father, husband, and community leader.

The commitment to excellence that Mahomes instills in everyone is as contagious as Chief’s fever on a Sunday. In this regard, Reid told an interesting story: “This kid comes in the huddle every day, every practice, and says ‘Let’s be great.’ And it doesn’t come out like it’s corny. The guys respect it and understand it, and that’s how he goes about his business on and off the field.”

Such a mindset has brought unprecedented success so far. At 28 years old only, Mahomes already belongs to an exclusive class of quarterbacks who have claimed at least three Super Bowl titles each. He can now boast the same status as such legends as Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, or Troy Aikman, among others; not forgetting he’s also the first player since Kurt Warner who was last named league MVP and Super Bowl MVP during one season back in 1999.

However, Mahomes understands that real greatness is not a sprint but a marathon. In an interview with TIME Magazine, he mused, “You have to build a consistency of a career. You see that in any sport. 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 did for so long, what Peyton Manning did, or Aaron Rodgers.”

Nonetheless, victory at the ESPYS was no walkover for Mahomes. He faced stiff competition from Los Angeles Dodgers, young gun Shohei Ohtani, PGA Tour stalwart Scottie Scheffler, and hockey sensation Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers. Every nominee had an unforgettable season, but eventually, it was Mahomes’ miraculous Super Bowl journey that swung things his way.

But one thing is certain: as confetti settles and “Run It Back” fades away; Patrick Mahomes does not play football anymore; he has rewritten being a true champion on and off the field. If anything, these are only Andy Reid’s words about this being just the first drive in a career that will be nothing short of legendary!