It really pains me to use this as a marker of the passage of time, but Patrick Mahomes has officially been in the NFL long enough for younger football players to start copying and idolizing him.
I know. It feels like he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs just yesterday.
The person most notable for doing this has been Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, who showed up to the team’s training camp last month dressed like Mahomes. Ever since, the freshman Cornhusker has fully leaned into adopting Mahomes’ look and play style.
Raiola is wholly committed to the bit.
On Wednesday, Mahomes was asked about Raiola’s admiration for him. And I think the three-time Super Bowl MVP shared an answer we can all relate to, for better or worse. While Mahomes appreciates Raiola’s great respect, it also makes him feel old to already have people looking up to him.
Oh, pal, you don’t even know the half of it:
Patrick Mahomes on #Huskers QB Dylan Raiola:
“It’s cool, honestly. I was that guy, grew up watching players. I loved A-Rod, played SS, would try to make plays just like him. It helped me become the athlete that I am. It’s just telling me I’m getting a little old.” #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/0Fi9lMRzv3— Jared Koller (@JaredKCTV5) September 11, 2024
Admittedly, it’s kind of funny for Mahomes to assert his feeling old. He turns 29 later this month, meaning he has his entire life ahead of him. Even if it feels like he’s already accomplished so much and been in the public eye forever, Mahomes is certifiably young. There’s no doubt about it.
But that’s the double-edged sword of being a professional athlete. When you start playing at an exceptional level, when you do it year after year, you’ll pick up fans who want to be just like you, people like Raiola.
It’s unavoidable and inevitable.
That makes Mahomes correct about one thing: he’s old enough for younger athletes to start looking up to him. That’s not necessarily the greatest feeling in the world, but it could be worse.
