Patrick Mahomes continues to show leadership equal to his talent
Mecole Hardman made an early mistake in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, and Patrick Mahomes was sure to prop him up immediately
Big mistakes in big games can get magnified quickly, and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman’s muffed punt in the first quarter in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game gave the Buffalo Bills the ball at 3-yard line. They would score to go up 9-0, with a missed extra point.
Having Patrick Mahomes at quarterback means you’re never out of a game. A nine-point deficit in the first quarter is nothing really, but a mistake like Hardman made can deflate a guy in his second NFL season.
Tight end Travis Kelce was immediately in Hardman’s ear with encouragement, which shouldn’t be discounted. But Mahomes eventually made his way to Hardman, who had covered his face with a jacket.
“Hey, Mecole! Hey, hey, hey, look at me. Hey, look at me. Hey, we good. Be you. You’re gonna make a play this game. You’re gonna make a play this game. Let’s go. Hey, be us. We’ve been here. Be us!”
As For The Win noted, Hardman had a touchdown catch on the Chiefs' next drive. He also had a notable 50-yard run later in the first half.
Mahomes is a generational talent, perhaps headed for a second straight Super Bowl win. But that moment with Hardman is what leadership looks like, and that’s just as important as what Mahomes produces on the stat sheet.