Life Comes Full Circle for Patrick Mahomes & Derek Jeter as 23YO Family Tradition Stays Alive

At GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, two legendary sportsmen who have excelled in their respective fields, Derek Jeter and Patrick Mahomes, stood atop the upper-deck seats, examining a very special photograph. Life seems to come full circle as Jeter and Mahomes recently came together for a unique interview featured on the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show. 

This segment, recorded at the Chiefs’ home stadium, delved into the two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP title holder’s alternative career option following the route of his family tradition which has, in part, helped him shape his football throwing skills, “Now these are the throws that I’m imitating when I’m on the football field, man.”

“I never would have expected it:” Mahomes was certain of his alternative career

“I wanted to be a baseball player. A thousand percent,” answered the 28-year-old Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, on being asked Derek Jeter about what he had hoped to be as a four or five-year-old. This brings us to the special picture featuring on the left side of the photo, a young Mahomes, aged just 5 or 6, who can be seen taking small steps on the field while dressed in a miniature baseball uniform. On the right, Jeter, in his seventh season with the Yankees, is depicted gently tracing the Rangers logo on Mahomes’ cap. 

He was later drafted by the Tigers during the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft but chose to pursue his football dreams. “Even going to college, I was like, ‘I’m going to get drafted and play baseball,’” Mahomes told Jeter, referring to how his life has come full circle, “It really is cool to be here now, because I never would have expected it.” Tigers drafted him as a pitcher, but Mahomes had a different preferred position. 

“I wanted to be a shortstop,” said Mahomes, explaining how playing this position has influenced heavily his his football throwing techniques.

Read more: With a Touching Gesture, Patrick Mahomes Keeps Kids Happy, Just Days After ‘Autograph Heartbreak’

However, Mahomes’ alternative career option as a baseball player was an extension of a family tradition helmed by his father. 

Sr. Mahomes was a Major League pitcher

In 1995, the year Patrick was born, his father, Pat Mahomes Senior,  was in the midst of concluding his fourth season as a pitcher for the Twins. Interestingly, the day following his son’s birth, the elder Mahomes secured a save by delivering 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the Royals. He later etched out an 11-year MLB career fulfilling the role of a middle reliever.

Additionally, Mahomes’ godfather happens to be LaTroy Hawkins, who served alongside the elder Mahomes in the Twins’ bullpen. Mahomes himself grew up playing baseball and recollects, “Growing up in clubhouses, I got to meet you when I was really young. I wanted to be a shortstop. It wasn’t until high school that I remember going out there on those Friday Night Lights in Texas, I fell in love with being the quarterback.”

“Once you win that Super Bowl, like once you win the World Series, anything less than that is not a success,” admitted Mahomes to his childhood idol Derek Jeter. With the Chiefs finally pulling up their socks following a win against the Bears, is another Super Bowl win back on the horizon? 

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