Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not any stranger to high-stakes moments, however even he wasn’t ready for the heartbreak that unfolded through the NCAA Males’s Basketball Ultimate 4.
Whereas the celebrity QB had simply returned from a household trip at Disneyland with spouse Brittany Mahomes and their children, his consideration rapidly turned to the hardwood-and the crew he is passionately adopted: Duke.
Duke‘s matchup towards the Houston Cougars was anticipated to be a basic, and for some time, it lived as much as the hype.
Led by standout freshman Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils held a double-digit lead within the second half and appeared destined for a spot within the nationwide championship.
However the Cougars launched an explosive comeback, erasing a 14-point deficit within the remaining eight minutes to grab a 70-67 victory.
As the sport slipped away within the remaining moments, Mahomes could not maintain again. He took to social media with a one-word publish that captured the sentiment of Duke followers throughout the nation: “Loopy!!”
The loss was notably stinging given Mahomes‘ long-standing admiration for the Duke program.
He is beforehand acquired excessive reward from former Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski, who as soon as mentioned Mahomes had the court docket imaginative and prescient and athleticism to succeed as a top-tier level guard had he chosen basketball.
Twin heartbreak for Mahomes
Mahomes‘ basketball loyalty would not finish with Duke. His personal alma mater, Texas Tech, additionally had a robust event run that got here to a disappointing halt within the Elite Eight.
Simply days earlier than the loss, Mahomes had posted a message hyping up the Purple Raiders following their win over Arkansas, writing on Instagram:
“You already know! @texastechmbb.”
Although that pleasure was short-lived, Mahomes stays one of many faculty’s largest supporters. He is not only a vocal fan-he’s a significant benefactor. Earlier than finalizing his NIL cope with Adidas, Mahomes donated $5 million to Texas Tech athletics.
That contribution was commemorated when his private emblem was added to the Purple Raiders‘ uniforms-an emotional second that Mahomes described as one in every of his most significant off-field accomplishments.
“Seeing my very own emblem on the Texas Tech uniform I put a lot blood, sweat, and tears into is likely one of the most significant off-field accomplishments of my profession,” he mentioned.
Now, with each of his favourite faculty groups eradicated from the NCAA Match, Mahomes is left to reflect-and reload-as he prepares to return to the gridiron.
Nonetheless, his ardour for faculty basketball and unwavering help for student-athletes is obvious. Whether or not it is Duke, Texas Tech, or any crew that captures his loyalty, Mahomes proves as soon as once more he is all heart-even when the scoreboard would not cooperate.
