‘I’d be like Steph Curry’ – Mahomes had designs on basketball career but lure of NFL prompted baseball decision
With Patrick Mahomes dominating the NFL and taking over from Tom Brady, talkSPORT takes a holiday look at his 12 most important life moments… Mahomes’ dominance goes beyond just the game of football – he was also pretty damn good at baseball and basketball. Mahomes could have been a professional baseball player if he chose toGetty Happy Holidays With Patrick Mahomes in action on Christmas Day when the Chiefs face the Steelers on Netflix, talkSPORT are taking a look at the stories that have shaped the face of the league Day 1 – Chiefs struck deal with Bills to move up for most fateful trade in NFL history Day 2 – ‘No filter’ – Mahomes sat and watched before Chiefs unleashed rookie who stunned Kelce Day 3 – ‘I’d be like Steph – Mahomes had designs on basketball career but lure of NFL prompted baseball decision Unfortunately for anyone in the NFL not associated with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes chose to play football. And the rest was history. However, that’s not to say Mahomes couldn’t have pursued other sports. He was a three-sport star at Whitehouse High School in Texas. His father, Pat Mahomes senior, was an 11-year MLB veteran. He grew up around the game, and has baseball in his blood. Mahomes father even thought he was going to follow in his footsteps. “He grew up in the clubhouse, he was always around the game, and he was always the best player on his baseball team,” Mahomes’ father told the Los Angeles Times in 2023. “He was an unbelievable shortstop, he always led his team in hitting, and he threw 97 mph on the mound, so I always thought he was gonna be a baseball player.” X/@OLDTIMEHARDBALLMahomes Sr. was a reliever for the Minnesota Twins[/caption] Mahomes Sr. wasn’t the only one who saw potential in his son as a baseball player. The Detroit Tigers drafted the future Super Bowl winning quarterback in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. At that point Mahomes had already committed to play football at Texas Tech. Safe to say he made the right choice. When Mahomes wasn’t on the field or the diamond, you could probably find him on the hardwood. Mahomes was a legit basketball player in high school. As a senior he was named All-East Texas Most Valuable Player in basketball. At Super Bowl media day last year, Mahomes even compared himself and his game to the greatest shooter of all-time. “If I played basketball, I’d be just like Steph Curry,” Mahomes said. “I got the shot. I just got to get a couple extra reps (and) a couple shots up. “I’d be shooting just like him. That’s who I’d be.” He could throw a baseball 90 miles per hour and dunk a basketball, but it’s what he can do with a football in his hands that’s made him who he is. And that’s on track to be the greatest football player of all-time. Mahomes and the Chiefs are looking to do something no one in NFL history ever has. Win three Super Bowls in a row. Back-to-back-to-back. While the rest of the NFL can shake their heads and pound their fists, trying to envision a future in which Mahomes chose to be a professional baseball player, or pursue basketball, Chiefs fans everywhere can thank their lucky stars he chose the gridiron. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, join us every week for commentary and subscribe to our dedicated NFL YouTube channel for news, views and interviews from across the league
With Patrick Mahomes dominating the NFL and taking over from Tom Brady, talkSPORT takes a holiday look at his 12 most important life moments…
Mahomes’ dominance goes beyond just the game of football – he was also pretty damn good at baseball and basketball.
Happy Holidays
With Patrick Mahomes in action on Christmas Day when the Chiefs face the Steelers on Netflix, talkSPORT are taking a look at the stories that have shaped the face of the league
Unfortunately for anyone in the NFL not associated with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes chose to play football.
And the rest was history.
However, that’s not to say Mahomes couldn’t have pursued other sports.
He was a three-sport star at Whitehouse High School in Texas.
His father, Pat Mahomes senior, was an 11-year MLB veteran. He grew up around the game, and has baseball in his blood.
Mahomes father even thought he was going to follow in his footsteps.
“He grew up in the clubhouse, he was always around the game, and he was always the best player on his baseball team,” Mahomes’ father told the Los Angeles Times in 2023.
“He was an unbelievable shortstop, he always led his team in hitting, and he threw 97 mph on the mound, so I always thought he was gonna be a baseball player.”
Mahomes Sr. wasn’t the only one who saw potential in his son as a baseball player.
The Detroit Tigers drafted the future Super Bowl winning quarterback in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
At that point Mahomes had already committed to play football at Texas Tech.
Safe to say he made the right choice.
When Mahomes wasn’t on the field or the diamond, you could probably find him on the hardwood.
Mahomes was a legit basketball player in high school.
As a senior he was named All-East Texas Most Valuable Player in basketball.
At Super Bowl media day last year, Mahomes even compared himself and his game to the greatest shooter of all-time.
“If I played basketball, I’d be just like Steph Curry,” Mahomes said.
“I got the shot. I just got to get a couple extra reps (and) a couple shots up.
“I’d be shooting just like him. That’s who I’d be.”
He could throw a baseball 90 miles per hour and dunk a basketball, but it’s what he can do with a football in his hands that’s made him who he is.
And that’s on track to be the greatest football player of all-time.
Mahomes and the Chiefs are looking to do something no one in NFL history ever has.
Win three Super Bowls in a row.
Back-to-back-to-back.
While the rest of the NFL can shake their heads and pound their fists, trying to envision a future in which Mahomes chose to be a professional baseball player, or pursue basketball, Chiefs fans everywhere can thank their lucky stars he chose the gridiron.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, join us every week for commentary and subscribe to our dedicated NFL YouTube channel for news, views and interviews from across the league
