It’s an old cliché that athletes need to have short memories, but there’s usually plenty of truth to it. If you’re stuck on an earlier mistake (or bad call), it’s not going to bode well for future plays.
That’s exactly what happened with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
By now, we’ve all seen the wild ending. With the Chiefs down three late in the game, Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce for what initially was going to be a big gain. But Kelce lateraled back to Kadarius Toney who would have scored the go-ahead touchdown had he not been called for a rare offensive offsides penalty.
Despite the deflating penalty, the Chiefs still had three more tries to get into field-goal range. But judging from Mahomes’ frustration over the call, we could see that the Chiefs really didn’t have much of a chance. (Warning: NSFW language in the video)
Patrick Mahomes did not like this call, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/lgR2CPIDV4
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) December 11, 2023
In a breakdown video from Jomboy Media, they picked up on Mahomes complaining to the Chiefs bench about the penalty *before* the crucial fourth-down play. At one point, the Chiefs coaches desperately tried to get their franchise quarterback focused on the upcoming play because, after all, they still had a chance to at least set up a game-tying field goal.
There are several reasons, and I go through them here, the game was over after the TD was called back. Even though the #chiefs ran 3 more plays after it, the game was over the minute that play was called back. My perspective from the sideline at Arrowhead on The Insiders pic.twitter.com/5envqgl6uB
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 11, 2023
But given where Mahomes’ mindset was during that timeout, the resulting incompletion wasn’t a surprise. The Chiefs quarterback simply could not move on from that call, which was clear as he went off on officials and complained to Josh Allen during the postgame chat.
Fans also had thoughts on the breakdown video.
This was how Twitter reacted
Best in the biz does lip reading on Mahomes. https://t.co/XF4WjIq4k7
— Chris Rose (@ChrisRose) December 11, 2023
The way Mahomes had 3 bad plays after the call 😂😂😂 https://t.co/1AHOhD20MK
— mart 💃 (@U_not_Ew) December 11, 2023
Wait, he had opportunities to still win the game after "the worst call of the century"? https://t.co/HmxXoWCwlK
— Matt Gavenda (@matt_gavenda) December 11, 2023
So great, and further evidence of the stupidity of this sport. I mean, I love it and all; but it’s stupid. https://t.co/UgimJfuW53
— Nick Schulz (@nickschulz) December 11, 2023
Ok so help me out here… why are Mahomes, Reid, the Chiefs and their fans upset about the most obvious correct call ever? https://t.co/1OFN6wnSDs
— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) December 11, 2023
The Ref made the right call. Often doing the right thing is really hard. Here there was no question. Really easy. https://t.co/1zivgVysKS
— Anthony Van Bommel (@TVB14) December 11, 2023
What was the down #ChiefsKingdom ? 2ND DOWN?! So you're telling me #PatrickMahomes had 2 more downs to get a first down and get the tie?!?! Nobody is discussing that part, why not #NFL ?!?! Greatest player in the league and he's complaining about a flag with 2 more downs? 🧐🧐 https://t.co/t6YYJnPh8z
— Himi Jendrix (@HappyNomad14) December 11, 2023
Kids, take note: Next Minute Mentality. Mahomes was never going to win this game after that call because he lacked the resiliency to do so. https://t.co/7aJJ5ZIutV
— The USF📈 👀 (@TheUSF_PVO) December 11, 2023
Poor sportsmanship Patrick https://t.co/M9m6hL6bOe
— Lucy (@Lucy789Lady) December 11, 2023
