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Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes responds to social media backlash

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 13:09 GMT by Newsweek
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Patrick Mahomes Addresses the Social‑Media Storm, Stating He’s “Not a Politician, I’m a Human Being”

When Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted a short video clip on Instagram that year, it was meant to be a simple thank‑you to fans for their support. The clip featured the MVP‑sized QB sitting on a curb, holding a cup of coffee, and saying, “I want you to know that I hear you.” The message quickly got caught up in a larger cultural debate—whether athletes should use their platforms to discuss social and political issues. The result was a wave of backlash that swept the Chiefs fan‑base and the wider NFL community, and the one‑time‑only‑footballer’s answer, posted just 12 hours later, made headlines for its candor and humanity.

The Incident That Sparked the Backlash

On the day the clip aired, the Chiefs were playing a mid‑season matchup at Arrowhead Stadium, a game that drew millions of viewers. The video was posted on the Chiefs’ official Instagram on Wednesday night, accompanied by the caption: “Thank you for cheering us on. Your support means everything.” Within minutes, the clip began to trend on Twitter, largely because of a trending hashtag that read #MahomesMightNotBePolitical. While a handful of commentators lauded the post as a “heart‑warming reminder of sportsmanship,” a larger group of social‑media users began to take offense at what they claimed was a “subtle political statement.”

Specifically, several Twitter users pointed to a brief moment in the clip where Mahomes raised his coffee cup in a “cheers” gesture and added, “We’re all in this together.” Critics, many of whom were longtime Chiefs fans, argued that the statement was a coded message endorsing social justice causes. Some went as far as to accuse the quarterback of “pandering to the progressive agenda.” These arguments gained traction in the form of retweets, memes, and comment threads that turned the conversation into a polarized debate.

Mahomes Responds

Seeing the outcry, the Chiefs’ public‑relations team quickly advised the player to issue a follow‑up statement. A mere 12 hours after the original video, Mahomes posted a second clip—this one a “full‑length interview” with a sports journalist. In that video, the quarterback said:

“I’m not a politician. I’m a human being and a football player who has been lucky to be on a team that has given me a lot of joy. If you’re upset about this, I hear you.”

He then continued, “I never set out to start a conversation about politics. I was just trying to thank my fans and my teammates for their support. That’s what I’m about.” He went on to clarify that he had never intended to “promote” any particular cause and that any political discussion was outside the scope of the clip’s original message. He added, “I’ll always speak out on the field about what I believe is right. That’s how I was brought up. And I’ll still keep my personal beliefs to myself when it’s not relevant to the game.”

In a gesture that many felt helped quell the backlash, Mahomes also posted a screenshot of his Instagram “Close‑Friends” list, which was entirely empty. “I don’t have a ‘close friends’ list that I’ve been using to keep people in the loop about my personal life. That’s my personal space,” he said in a text overlay on the screen.

Fan and Media Reaction

While the quarterback’s explanation received positive responses from many of his own supporters, a section of the fan base remained skeptical. Some posted comments such as, “You’re a quarterback, not a politician. Don’t try to act like you’re in a political debate.” A smaller group of followers responded with more supportive messages, thanking Mahomes for being “transparent” and “honest.”

The Chiefs’ organization posted a statement thanking the player for addressing the issue in an “open and honest” manner. “Patrick always speaks his mind. We’re proud of his honesty and his leadership on and off the field.” The statement also included a brief summary of Mahomes’ personal philanthropy work, pointing to the Mahomes Foundation’s efforts to provide clean water in sub‑Saharan Africa. A link was provided to the foundation’s website, which the article encouraged readers to visit.

Media outlets across the country weighed in. Some outlets praised Mahomes for handling the backlash calmly, while others argued that the incident underscored the increasing pressure on athletes to “make a statement.” The New York Times ran a front‑page headline, “Mahomes’ “Cheer” Video: A Reflection on the Role of Athletes in Politics.” The piece offered a more analytical look at the historical tension between sports and politics, citing famous athletes such as Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, and Colin Kaepernick. The article’s conclusion suggested that Mahomes’ reply may set a new standard for how athletes respond to unsolicited political pressure.

What It Means for the Chiefs

While the controversy fizzled out within a day, the episode highlighted an issue that has been growing in professional sports: the expectation for athletes to address broader social issues. As the Chiefs prepare for the remainder of the 2024 season, the organization’s official Twitter feed—via the Chiefs’ handle @Chiefs—announced a new initiative that would fund community outreach programs in Kansas City. The post read: “We’re all in this together. Let’s keep that spirit of teamwork and unity on the field and in the community.”

Mahomes himself said that he wants to “focus on the next game” and “continue to grow as a person.” In a brief Instagram story that followed the video, he posted a simple “Thank you” to fans and teammates and included a photo of his family.

Bottom Line

Patrick Mahomes’ decision to respond to the social‑media backlash directly—and with an emphasis on personal authenticity—demonstrated a model for how high‑profile athletes can navigate controversies that arise outside of their sport. The Chiefs organization, for its part, reiterated its commitment to community involvement while acknowledging the complexities that arise when an athlete’s words are interpreted as a political statement. While the incident sparked debate, it also showed that open communication can diffuse tension and that a clear, human‑centered response can help restore trust between a player and his fan base.