Flashback: NFL's Newest MVP Knows Exactly Who To Thank First: 'I Just Want To Thank God'
Editor’s Note: Our readers responded strongly to this story when it originally ran; we’re re-posting it here in case you missed it.
It only took one year for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II to establish himself as a true superstar.
In that time frame, Mahomes has proven himself to be an absolute playmaker of a quarterback, blending a preternatural cannon of an arm with ample mobility and awareness.
Despite coming up short against the New England Patriots in the AFC title game, Mahomes’ 5,097 regular season passing yards and 50 touchdowns were enough to garner the 23-year-old MVP honors, as well as his first Offensive Player of the Year award, on Saturday.
It only took the span of one acceptance speech for Mahomes to establish himself as a superstar human being, as well.
Mahomes made it clear that his MVP award was about everyone but himself.
“I’m truly honored to win the NFL’s most valuable player award. When you look at this award you see the rich history that it has. You see guys like (John) Elway and (Brett) Favre, (Peyton) Manning and (Tom) Brady, and many more,” Mahomes said at the start of his speech.
“I’m so humbled that I can be sharing this prestigious honor with them. This season was special and there was a lot of people that helped me get to this point,” he added.
It’s one thing to pay homage and respect to some of the game’s all-time greats, but Mahomes immediately followed up with what really mattered when he started expressing his gratitude.
“First, I just want to thank God because without him none of this would even be here,” Mahomes said. It’s a powerful sentiment and one that’s been echoed by some of his peers leading up to the Super Bowl. It’s also one that everyone could use more of in the sports world.
Mahomes then proceeded to list off a litany of people in his life who helped him along the way, including his family, girlfriend, coaches and teammates.
“Next I want to thank my family — my mom and dad, my brother and sister who aren’t here — and my rock Brittany who keeps this show rolling every single day,” he said. “I have to thank the Chiefs organization for believing in me — the Hunt family, Brett Veach, coach Reid, coach Kafka, coach Bieniemy — and most of all the players.”
“They give me their all every single day and this is an award for all of us. Thank you all,” he added.
Mahomes didn’t forget all the Chiefs fans who supported him, too.
“Last I want to thank Chiefs Kingdom,” he said.
“Your passion and love is unmatched. You’re here no matter when and where. This is just the beginning, we have a long ways to go. Thank you.”
It was a classy and humble acceptance speech that hit all the right notes, and not once did Mahomes try to bring any glory to himself.
The quarterback echoed similar sentiments on Twitter.
Love or hate the Chiefs, it’s hard to not to like Mahomes after his classy acceptance speech.
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