Patrick Mahomes: Charities

10/31/2023

Many argue that Patrick Mahomes has already carved out a hall-of-fame career and cemented himself as one of the greatest NFL players of all time. At just 28 years old Mahomes is looking to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowls with already 2 Lombardi's to his name. Among his many other accolades, he is a 2 time NFL MVP, 2018 Offensive Player of the Year and two-time First Team All-Pro. Despite having such fame and prestige in his sport, even the “future greatest NFL quarterback of all time” makes time for philanthropy and service. 

This month Patrick Mahomes with his wife Brittany Mahomes’ “15 and the Patrick Mahomies Foundation” announced a partnership and donation of 1.625 million dollars to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Their large donation will aid in renovation and upgrading efforts at Boys and Girls Clubs locations.

Their charitable commitments followed the trends of many other NFL player efforts. Similarly to Bills Quarterback Josh Allen with his debt relief donations, the Mahomes couple chose to focus on aiding the communities that they felt most closely related to. Being the home of Mahomes’ Chiefs, they selected greater Kansas City, his alma mater college town Lubbock TX, and the couple's childhood hometowns Whitehouse and Tyler TX. Many NFL players report they donate to towns they have personal connections to often out of feelings of obligation and “paying back” dues. This trend among football players exhibits the connective nature that football offers. Football players may often feel a closer connection to the places they live than “ordinary” people because of the many years they spend representing these communities. This fondness NFL players have with their towns shows football’s powers beyond simply being a sport. These obligations are a complex mix of relationships, experiences, family, service, and more.

Another trend Mahomes’ donation follows is matching donations with accomplishments on the field. Mahomes pledged a donation of $1,500 for every touchdown he scores, an act that will likely quickly add up seeing as he scored 47 touchdowns in the 2022 NFL season. Other players have previously chosen this “plays to donations” model. A few months ago, former punter turned podcast host Pat McAfee pledged to donate $500,000 to the Steelers’ T.J. Watt’s charity of his choice if he broke Michael Strahan’s all-time single-season sack record. Similarly, wide receiver Mike Evans donated various essential items for every yard and touchdown he scored to children and family welfare programs. These incentives not only provide large donations to charities for positive impacts but also increase exposure for causes that would otherwise go unnoticed by the public.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America provides underserved youth with spaces to interact, partake in a plethora of impactful programs, and receive adult mentorship. There are over 5200 locations and 3.3 million young people served. The organization claims to help young people grow into well-equipped individuals. In their surveys, they reported that 94% of youth members feel safe and 95% report they feel adults care about them. 

The Mahomes’ decision to support the organization also came from first-hand experience, Patrick Mahomes in support said, “We are truly excited to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America by investing in the future of children… Kids who attend a Club, like Brittany once did, are provided with the necessary tools and resources to help this generation not only thrive but lead with compassion and purpose.” Brittany Mahomes also voiced her excitement and belief in service to her communities, “This meaningful partnership will expand opportunities for kids everywhere, and the places that have positively impacted Patrick and me.”

As a couple with such extreme success and wealth, the Mahomes couple’s relentless and major contributions to community aid efforts are nothing short of impressive. Their contributions illustrate a pattern of football players choosing to use their large platforms for charities they feel connected to, instead of sitting on their wealth. Each of these players’ public advocacy of their charity choices shows the public the almost infinite areas of need in the world. Showing these areas of need can create a culture of selflessness, service, and community in the league and the public.

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Works Cited

Geddes, Nick. "Pat McAfee pledges $500k to T.J. Watt's charity of choice if he breaks the sack record in 2023." On3.com, 28 Oct. 2023, www.on3.com/pro/news/pat-mcafee-pledges-500-to-charity-of-tj-watt-choice-if-he-breaks-the-sack-record-in-2023/.

"Patrick and Brittany Mahomes' 15 and the Mahomies Foundation Establishes National Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America." Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4 Oct. 2023, www.bgca.org/news-stories/2023/October/patrick-and-brittany-mahomes-15-and-the-mahomies-foundation/.

"With 'Catch for Kids' Campaign, Mike Evans continues to give back to community." BucsNation.com, 26 Oct. 2021, www.bucsnation.com/2021/10/26/22729367/catch-for-kids-campaign-tampa-bay-buccaneers-mike-evans-continues-to-give-back-to-community.