“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” You know who said it—Muhammad Ali, the Greatest himself. No matter where you are in the world. The moment you read that line, you linked the quote with one name and one name alone. But despite this global fame, Patrick Mahomes is now being crowned as the “world’s greatest American“?

Yep, that’s exactly what former Broncos legend Mark Schlereth declared about the Chiefs QB1 on the Breakfast Ball podcast. “There he is, the world’s greatest American, Patrick Mahomes. Look at him! Glorious.” Just a fun comment, admiring Mahomes’ stellar play… but could he be onto something?

Let’s break it down. Sure, Mahomes may not have Muhammad Ali’s punch, but he’s got his brand of influence. See, the thing is, back in 2005, Ali was voted out of the top 20 in the Greatest Americans list. Ronald Reagan, followed by Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr, led the votings. Lance Armstrong, the controversial former cyclist, was the highest voted sports person on ‘Discovery’ channel’s popularity contest.

So, where does Mahomes fit in? Well, if you ask Time Magazine, he’s right up there. In 2024, Mahomes made Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People for the second year running—alongside some of the world’s biggest names.

And Mahomes isn’t just showing up on lists; he’s leaving his mark both on and off the field. With three Super Bowl titles and three Super Bowl MVPs to his name, he’s already a sitting deck in football’s GOAT debates. Only Brady and Montana share that honor. And if that doesn’t cut it, then the Chiefs’ #15 has also got the business moves to match. Mahomes co-owns the Kansas City Royals, has his apparel line, and leads a charitable foundation giving back to communities.

So, is Schlereth’s playful “world’s greatest American” tag a stretch? Maybe not. Mahomes is an athletic icon, a savvy businessman, and a community leader—all in one. We’ll let the historians sort out the rankings, but one thing’s clear: Mahomes is playing for more than just rings. But for now, he’s after the unprecedented.

Will the 3-peat help Patrick Mahomes unseat Tom Brady as the greatest?

Some say Patrick Mahomes is already the GOAT—or at least close. But c’mon. I mean, as much as you Mahomians and Chiefs fans might love that, it’s a tall order with Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl rings and the Patriots dynasty he built. Respect is due, right?

Sure, he is close to doing so, but to say he’s done it already could be a little too much. Pat’s best argument could be this third straight Super Bowl ring. That unprecedented ahead of that record makes it look even shinier than it is.

And what makes it even more pretty to look is that: historically, three-peats are elusive. Especially in North American sports. Only a few have done it—the Lakers, the Yankees, and the Islanders in hockey. But it’s never happened in the NFL.

So, while the Chiefs’ journey is steep, with Mahomes’ talent and this team’s chemistry, they might just make it happen. And if they do? We might be looking at a kingdom that, finally, could rival Brady’s dynasty. Mahomes himself calls it “legendary.” Time will tell if he’s right.

So far, so good, we can say the least. I mean, Kansas has started this season in the most red-hot form (the only team with the perfect record at this point of the season, 8-0) and there are no signs suggesting that they’ll stop. And why should they? As for Patrick Mahomes, he is doing what he does best. Driving the games from under center, taking it away from the opposition, and hurting them slowly.

And you know what’s scarier? He has not been playing at his best yet! Yes, folks. Imagine that: Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 9 turnovers (joint-most so far) and KC is still winning each game with ease. Wait for the postseason Mahomes, that’s a different player altogether. So, can the Chiefs and Pat complete the 3-peat? If so, will he overcome Tom Brady’s legacy? Drop in your thoughts.