Patrick Mahomes is one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL and across sports and was recognized as Time magazine’s “Most Influential People” on Tuesday. In the profile, the deadly Super Bowl parade shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, was mentioned. One person was killed, and several others were wounded as the team tried to celebrate its second consecutive title, supplanting them as a dynastic team not seen since the New England Patriots.
Thoughts, prayers and calls for tighter gun-control measures rained onto social media as shots fired were reported. Mahomes offered his condolences, donated money to an aid fund for victims and went to the hospital to visit some of the victims.
However, the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback stopped short of advocating for those measures. He explained why to Time magazine. “I continue to educate myself,” he said. “I don’t want to make a quick response to something that takes a lot of education to really learn and make a swaying comment based off that. But I know we have to find a solution of some way to make this stuff stop.”
Mahomes has been involved in politics and societal issues in the past. He was among those who advocated for the NFL to condemn the police-involved killing of George Floyd and campaigned with LeBron James to urge Americans to head to the polls for the 2020 election.
However, he did not endorse a presidential candidate. Time reported he did not appear to be on the verge of offering an endorsement this time around either. “I don’t want to pressure anyone to vote for a certain president,” he told the outlet. “I want people to use their voice, whoever they believe in. I want them to do the research.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs will embark on a journey to do what no NFL team has done before – win three consecutive Super Bowl titles.
