Patrick Mahomes Sees a Struggling Musician Covering His Story – What He Does Will Shock You

On a quiet evening in downtown Los Angeles, as the sun dipped behind the city skyline, Michael Mason sat on his worn guitar case near the entrance of the metro station. His fingers, calloused from years of playing, danced across the strings, coaxing out a melody that echoed with both struggle and hope. At 42, Michael wasn’t the wide-eyed dreamer he’d once been. His black shirt, though clean, was faded, and his guitar bore the scars of a thousand street performances.

Every night for the past three years, Michael played here, his music a lifeline for himself and, in small ways, for the people who stopped to listen. Tonight, as the evening crowd began to thin, Michael’s thoughts drifted to the stack of unpaid bills at home and his daughter Jennifer’s looming college expenses. He’d promised her late mother he’d do whatever it took to make sure Jennifer got her education.

The first notes of his original song, “Remember the Dream,” floated through the station. The lyrics, once filled with youthful optimism, now rang with the hard-won wisdom of persistence. A few coins clinked into his open guitar case. Thomas Gutierrez, a regular who worked at the nearby coffee shop, dropped in a dollar and offered his usual encouragement. Michael nodded gratefully, then launched into a soulful cover of “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye.

A small crowd gathered, drawn by the raw emotion in Michael’s voice. Among them was Nicole Henderson, an elderly woman who often said his music reminded her of her late husband. She swayed gently, eyes closed, letting the music carry her back to another time.

Just as Michael finished the song, a tall figure paused at the edge of the crowd. Most people hurried past, but this man stood still, listening intently. As a train’s headlights swept through the station, Michael’s heart nearly stopped. He recognized the visitor instantly—Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, unmistakable even in a hoodie and cap.

Michael’s fingers trembled on the strings. His first instinct was to switch to something flashy, but instead, he stayed with the song he’d started: “The Tracks of My Tears.” The lyrics about hidden pain and perseverance seemed to resonate with Patrick, who listened without distraction, his presence drawing more onlookers.

When the song ended, Patrick stepped forward, his voice warm and genuine. “That was incredible,” he said. “How long have you been playing here?” Michael, still in disbelief, told him about losing his job at the music store, about three years of performing in the station, and about his daughter’s college dreams.

“You’re really talented,” Patrick said. “But I’m guessing this isn’t where you thought you’d be playing music.” Michael laughed softly. “No, but life has its own plans.” Patrick nodded. “Sometimes, life just needs a little push in the right direction.”

He handed Michael a business card. “I’m hosting a charity event next week for my foundation. We could use some real music. Would you be interested?” Michael could barely find his voice. “Yes. Yes, I’d love to.”

Patrick smiled. “Thank you. Your music reminds me why I started my foundation in the first place. Sometimes people just need someone to stop and listen.” He dropped something into Michael’s guitar case and disappeared into the crowd.

When Michael looked down, he froze. Among the coins and bills was a check for $5,000, made out to him, with a note: “For Jennifer’s education. Music and education both open doors—let’s make sure she gets through hers. —Patrick.” Michael’s hands shook as he read the note. The generosity overwhelmed him, but even more powerful was the feeling of being seen—of having his struggles and his music recognized.

The next week, the story of Patrick Mahomes’s visit spread through the neighborhood. More people stopped to listen. A restaurant owner offered Michael a regular weekend gig. Commuters who’d ignored him for years now asked about lessons for their kids. Michael’s world, once small and shadowed by worry, seemed to open up.

At home, Jennifer called every night from her dorm, excited about the possibility of transferring to a four-year university. “Dad, I can’t believe Patrick Mahomes listened to your music! Mom would have loved that story.”

As the night of the charity event approached, Michael practiced with renewed purpose. Douglas Richards, an old friend, brought over a suit for him to wear. “You can’t play at Patrick Mahomes’s event in your usual gear,” he joked.

The event was held at the Mahomes Foundation’s hall—a world away from the harsh lights of the metro station. As Michael set up, Patrick greeted him with the easy confidence that made him a hero to millions. “I’ve been telling everyone about your music. Ready to show them what real soul sounds like?”

Patrick introduced Michael to Robert Thomas, a local music producer. “Robert’s always looking for authentic talent,” Patrick explained. Michael played “Remember the Dream” for the sound check, and the room fell silent, moved by the honesty in his performance.

That night, Michael played for a crowd that included not only Los Angeles’s elite but also Thomas, Nicole, and other regulars from the metro station—Patrick had made sure they were all invited. Michael’s set included covers and originals, each song a piece of his story. The audience, at first polite, soon became captivated by the authenticity of his music.

After his set, Patrick pulled Michael aside. “You know, I’d heard you play before. Your music helped me through some tough moments. Sometimes, the right moment just takes time to arrive. You never stopped giving your best, even when it seemed like no one was paying attention. That’s what real success is about.”

The event changed everything. The music producer offered to record Michael’s songs. The restaurant owner finalized a regular gig. But most importantly, Michael realized his music was more than a way to survive—it was a way to inspire.

In the weeks that followed, Michael used his new opportunities to help others. He mentored young musicians at the station, coordinated performances, and worked with Patrick’s foundation to launch a music program for underprivileged youth. Jennifer transferred to UCLA, her dreams now within reach.

A year later, at the Mahomes Foundation’s annual gala, Michael shared the story of how one act of kindness had transformed not just his life, but the lives of countless others. As he played “Remember the Dream” with Crystal Martinez—a young musician he’d mentored—the audience stood in ovation, Patrick Mahomes smiling in the front row.

Michael had learned that success isn’t just about reaching the top. It’s about lifting others as you climb, about seeing the potential in every struggling dreamer. And sometimes, all it takes is for someone to stop, listen, and believe.

How Patrick Mahomes’ artistry on the field inspires artists to pay tribute to him in music

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Back then, almost every weekend began with his father or mother driving him to his next baseball game.

One time, sitting in the back seat on the way to a tournament, 8-year-old Patrick Mahomes had a short talk that he never forgot. The son of Pat Mahomes, a pitcher who spent 11 years in the major leagues, remembers their conversation pivoting to music.

“My dad always used to say that he wanted his name to be in a song,” said Mahomes. “He used to play all those old rap songs. He listened to Scarface a lot. He listened to, like, the real rappers of his generation.”

Almost 20 years later, Mahomes is the unquestioned face of the NFL. He will begin his seventh season on Thursday night in the league’s opening-night showcase game, leading the Kansas City Chiefs against the Detroit Lions. Entering his seventh season, Mahomes is the NFL’s reigning MVP, the MVP of Super Bowl LVII and two-time Super Bowl champion.

That success has made Mahomes a significant cultural figure, too, an inspiration to numerous musical artists. As of this week, Mahomes has been referenced — either by his full name, just his last name or the nickname “Patty Mahomes” — in 594 songs, according to Lyrics.com, the largest searchable lyrics database.

Hip-hop, Mahomes’ favorite style of music, is the genre that name-checks him the most, a collection of 216 songs, according to Genius.com, another leading music encyclopedia.

“Even though I’m the second, it’s still his name,” Mahomes said of achieving his father’s dream. “It is really cool.”

Mahomes is not a textbook quarterback — and never has been.

He had rare arm talent, even as a child. In his first T-ball game, he unleashed a throw from shortstop to first base, a throw so hard and precise that the ball smashed the first baseman’s glasses.

He continues to find new ways to throw a football. His creativity has led him to throw the ball from just about any arm angle, often slinging the ball like a submarine pitcher.

In his remix of Love Mansuy’s romantic song, “Count on You,” hip-hop legend Lil Wayne references one of Mahomes’ best abilities.

We catching feelings like Mahomes do with the side arm
Like hut two, me plus you equals us two

NFL analysts have described Mahomes as a magician. His improvisational playing style has led to incredible highlights.

In a comeback victory over the Denver Broncos, Mahomes, while sprinting away from pass rusher Von Miller, threw and completed a left-handed pass to receiver Tyreek Hill on a critical third down. He threw his first no-look pass, now his signature, to receiver Demarcus Robinson in a comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Last season, while running away from multiple defenders, Mahomes, in a split-second moment of brilliance, completed a no-look, shovel pass to running back Jerick McKinnon that led to a 56-yard touchdown in another win over the Broncos.

Mahomes’ playing style has led to a number of imaginative lyrics. Hip-hop group INFRAR3D, from Austin, Texas, captured Mahomes’ spontaneous passes well in their song “Bag Baby (I Need a Bag).”

Doing what I gotta do
No-look pass, Pat Mahomes audible

Watching Mahomes gave rapper Hoodie Allen, from Long Island, N.Y., the feeling of reminiscing about a fling, the main theme of his song, “Hell of a Time.”

We go out of control,
I Chief, Patrick Mahomes

AVGUST, a hip-hop artist who lives in Brooklyn, began writing verses when he was 11, creating his first batch of songs as a junior at Cornell. His first hit song, “Vanilla Latte,” went viral on campus and through TikTok, helping him gain more than 230,000 followers.

Although AVGUST isn’t a huge football fan, he watches the Super Bowl every year. He said the most fascinating player on the field in Super Bowl LV — which the Chiefs lost to the Bucs — was Mahomes, who scrambled 497 yards before releasing the ball or being sacked, the most by any quarterback in any game during the 2020 season, according to Next Gen Stats.

“He had made that throw,” said August Brainard-Brunelle, 23, “that wasn’t even a complete pass.”

Sprinting to his right to avoid being sacked, Mahomes released the ball while his body was parallel to the turf. Yet Mahomes still had enough power to get the ball 30-plus yards downfield, with incredible accuracy, to running back Darrel Williams, who had the ball bounce off the front of his helmet.

“That is insane,” AVGUST said of Mahomes. “You know how tough it is to throw a good pass with both feet on the ground in an NFL game with a defensive line on you. If that was caught, that would’ve been one of the best plays ever.”

AVGUST didn’t write about Mahomes immediately after the game. But subconsciously, the play stayed with him. Using his TikTok account in August 2021, AVGUST posted a 20-second clip of him rapping while holding a candle. The verse later became the hook for his song “Indiana Jones.”

Who said they can catch me? They big cappin’: Indiana Jones
Even when I’m falling, hit my target, call me Pat Mahomes

“I wanted to write something that was a little braggadocious,” AVGUST said. “My favorite line is the Pat Mahomes one, just the double entendre. Even when there’s a lot of stuff going on in my life, and things aren’t going the right way, I’m still going to get where I’m trying to go.”

One of Mahomes’ game-day routines on the road is to sit on the team bus and listen to music. His pregame playlists have evolved over the years, his musical taste shifting with each phase of his life.

He remembers when he was on the bus on Sept. 9, 2018, his first game as the Chiefs’ unquestioned starting quarterback. As a rookie, Mahomes played in only one game — performing well in a Chiefs victory — but he spent the year as Alex Smith’s understudy. The Chiefs’ 2018 season began in Los Angeles against the division-rival Chargers. That day, one song in Mahomes’ playlist best mirrored the emotions he was feeling.

Within seconds of the track starting, DJ Drama begins motivating the listener:

You see I been waiting, waiting on that time
Feel me if you been waiting on yours
That moment … is close

“It hit,” Mahomes said of the song, smiling. “I went through a full year of not playing, and you have to continue to work. I remember hearing that song and was like, ‘Man, this is it. This is your moment to go out and showcase who you are.’”

In a classic hip-hop collaboration, DJ Drama in 2012 put together the hit song “My Moment” with rappers 2 Chainz and Meek Mill and R&B singer Jeremih, who performed the stirring chorus.

As long as I stay hustling, I’m gon’ shine
I’m just waiting on that moment
Waiting on my moment

With his third pass of the game, Mahomes announced himself to millions of viewers by throwing a quick strike to Hill, who ran a slant and sprinted untouched into the end zone for a 58-yard touchdown. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 38-28 victory in a mesmerizing performance, finishing with 256 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers.

“Every time Pat stepped into the huddle,” Hill said that day, “he was very confident.”

This summer, Mahomes won the ESPY award for best male athlete. One of the presenters was Quavo, the rapper and co-founder and frontman of Migos.

“My guy,” Quavo said to Mahomes, the men dapping up one another before Mahomes gave his acceptance speech.

Quavo was on the stage that night, in part, because Migos created Mahomes’ favorite song that includes his name: “Mahomes,” the 15th track on the group’s critically acclaimed album “Culture III.”

Huncho the chief, had to send it to Mahomes
Franchise tag, everybody want a loan (Mahomes)

“That one is definitely my favorite one, just because I know those guys,” Mahomes said. “It is really cool. I like it lyrically. And obviously, my name is, like, the chorus.”

Many artists have chosen to align their success — whether in literal terms or in a theoretical manner — with Mahomes’ feats. Big K.R.I.T., a rapper from Meridian, Miss., included Mahomes — Mahomes second with a ring now (I got a ring now) — in his song “KICKOFF,” which was featured on the soundtrack of the Madden NFL 21 video game. Mahomes is the only player Big K.R.I.T. referenced in the song.

Mahomes’ wealth is a common reference in lyrics. Masi, a rapper from Cleveland, sings a pertinent phrase in his song “Jasmin Rouge” that many of his musical peers aspire to achieve: Trying to touch on some millions like Mahomes.

In July of 2020, just months after leading the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years, Mahomes signed the largest contract in North American sports history, a 10-year, $477 million extension that could be worth up to $503 million with incentives.

But such wealth can attract a rival. Mahomes, to his surprise, became a part of content creation for Drake, one hip-hop’s biggest artists. In “Lemon Pepper Freestyle,” with rapper Rick Ross, Drake used one of his bars to jab at Mahomes, leaving many to wonder if the multiplatinum artist was dissing the quarterback.

Patty Mahomes, ‘bout to fall short a couple hunnid
Signed, sealed, delivered, I f—– the notary public
She witnessed me sign off on some undeniable numbers

A month before the song was released, Mahomes and Drake were featured together in a State Farm commercial. But when the song was released, on March 5, 2021, Mahomes responded on his his X account, formerly Twitter, to post a GIF of Drake shaking his head, saying, “Wow,” with a bewildered facial expression and then covering his face with his right hand after looking at information on his smartphone.

“I’m a competitor,” Mahomes said. “I still listen to Drake, but it wasn’t the way I wanted to be referenced in a song, for sure.”