RISE OF A KING
History shows, not all greats capture crown on first try
MIAMI — He’s the one we want to watch, the one we can’t take our eyes off, The Natural of his sport, who can do things with a football that even the legends who have come before him have only dreamed of doing.
This is the time and Hard Rock Stadium is the place for this precocious phenom to seize the Mahoment, and begin his walk with kings, because the future is now, because tomorrow is not promised for anyone, even for him. Yes, even Patrick Mahomes. If he is everything we believe he is, he will lift the Chiefs past Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers, and scratch Kansas City’s agonizing 50-year championship itch and gift grizzled sentimental favorite Andy Reid his first Super Bowl championship after 221 wins across 21 seasons.
By all accounts, he is ready for this Game of Thrones Mahoment, born 24 years ago for this stage, the way Joe Namath was when he was 25 and shocked the world and the NFL Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, the way Tom Brady was when he was 24 and shocked the world and The Greatest Show on Turf in Super Bowl XXXVI.
Joe Montana was 25 when he won the first of his four Super Bowls. Terry Bradshaw was 26 when he won the first of his four Super Bowls. Troy Aikman was 26 when he won the first of his three Super Bowls.
Ben Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback, at 23, to win a Super Bowl despite a dismal performance in Super Bowl XL.
Kobe Bryant was 21 and in his fourth season when he won the first of his five NBA championships. Michael Jordan was 27 when he won the first of his six NBA championships.
Mahomes himself has seen that precious Lombardi Trophy in his dreams.
“You have to visualize it if you want to go out there and do it,” Mahomes said.
The visuals Magic Mahomes has provided to date are intoxicating — the no-look passes; the left-handed toss to evade a strip-sack; the offbalance, sidearm missiles; the off-platform throws on the run; the runs themselves; the 60-yard rockets with a mere flick of the wrist.
“You understand that it’s a hard place to get to in the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said. “But for me, it’s just about enjoying the moment. Obviously I want to be back in my career, but I’m gonna take advantage of this opportunity knowing that it’s a huge one.”
He understands there are more than a few Hall of Fame Boy Wonders in every sport who failed to seize the Mahoment at a time when they were supposed to be one of destiny’s darlings.
Dan Marino, bless his release, and in his second season when he lost Super Bowl XIX to Montana. He spent the next 15 seasons trying to get back, and today wishes he did.
A child prodigy named LeBron James was swept by the Spurs in his first NBA
Finals in 2007 and lost again four years later before winning his three rings. John Elway, who was the Mahomes of his time, lost his first Super Bowl to Phil Simms and the Giants in his fourth season, then lost two others before finally hoisting the Lombardi Trophy back-to-back when he was 37 and 38, then riding off into the sunset. Shaquille O’Neal was 22 when he lost his first NBA Finals in 1995 before winning his four rings. Namath was the rebel with a cause during the Vietnam Era and never pl ayed in a second Super Bowl.
“It obviously will be remembered for a long time if you win a Super Bowl,” Mahomes said, “especially for Kansas City, but for me it’s about going out there having fun, enjoying it, taking advantage of the opportunity and understanding what a blessing it is to be here.”
Mahomes is beloved by his teammates, humble as can be, and he will have a shot at greatness if for no other reason than he burns to be great. He admired the mindsets of LeBron, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
“And then guys like Mike Trout, that have played at a high level their entire careers and they’re never satisfied with where they’re at, they’re always trying to get better,” Mahomes said.
No one s hould have expected Mahomes to have a restless night before Super Bowl LIV.
“Usually on Saturday nights, a couple of guys, led by [fullback] Anthony Sherman, go to one of the rooms and we usually watch ‘Live PD’ or a football game, whatever’s on,” Mahomes said. “I just kind of hang out with the guys, kind of building that bond, that brotherhood is definitely, I think, translated to the field.” There will not be any other place he will want to be.
“There’s always pressure,” Mahomes said, “but once you accept it and you understand it, then you’re always gonna be able to go out there and be who you are.”
Be who you are, kid. Seize the Mahoment, and begin your walk with kings.