A special bond with Patrick Mahomes helped a Kansas teen beat cancer twice
Sophia Linenberger is a name you might remember. She’s a cancer survivor who made an impact on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
HAYS, Kan. (KWCH) – Sophia Linenberger is a name you might remember. She’s a cancer survivor who made an impact on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Three years ago, Mahomes heard Linenberger’s story after meeting her mother at a gala for his charity. Ahead of his first Super Bowl championship, Mahomes began wearing a yellow wristband Linenberger gave him. The message on that bracelet simply says “Sophia Strong.” Mahomes still wears the bracelet every game.
Ahead of Kansas City’s third Super Bowl in four years, 12 News caught up with Linenberger as she prepares to cheer on her favorite team and shares encouraging news. Linenberger has battled with Ewing Sarcoma since 2019. She received lifechanging news to start 2023.
‘I just found out two weeks ago that I am officially a year and four months cancer-free now,” she said.
With this new freedom, Linenberger is attending her second semester at Fort Hays State University.
“This is my first time being back at school not wearing masks or going through treatment, and I’m just really excited to be back,” she said.
Linenberger said a significant part of what kept her going during chemotherapy sessions was the now famous wristband that needs only two words to inspire, “Sophia Strong.” Linenbeger said she gives wristbands as a way to encourage others to stay strong.
This includes Mahomes who received his wristband during the discussion with Linenberger’s mother at the annual 15 and Mahomies Gala. He’s worn the wristband for every game since, including two Super Bowl appearances.
“I’m so excited to see my wristband go to the Super Bowl for the third time, and I’m so grateful to Patrick for wearing it and continuing to wear it and [supporting] me,” Linenberger said.
Though cancer-free, she said some days are difficult. On these days, seeing the Chiefs quarterback wear the wristband makes a difference.
“When I’m having that hard day, it’s a reminder when I see the wristband on Patrick’s arm, just to get through whatever I’m going through. Because I made it so far already, and I’m glad that he’s always there and gives me a reminder,” Linenberger said.
She said she hopes Mahomes can use that motivation to go as far as he can go.
“I know he’s going to win on Sunday because he ahs the determination I had. I had the determination to beat my cancer and I know he has the determination to win the Super Bowl,” Linenberger said.
Patrick Mahomes wears Hays teen’s cancer bracelet during AFC Championship
HAYS, Kan. (KSNW) – A piece of Hays could be taking a trip to Super Bowl LIV.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing,” said Sophia Linenberger.
Sophia, 16, was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in January of 2019. She spent the majority of her freshman year of high school in a Kansas City hospital.
“I had chemotherapy treatment every week until the week before Thanksgiving,” Sophia said.
It was around that time Sophia had the opportunity to meet her sports idol, Patrick Mahomes, at a charity event.
Patrick Mahomes and Sophia meet at a charity event in Kansas City.
“He went around the tables and took pictures with all of the different tables,” she explained.
That’s when Sophia’s mom, Jenny Linenberger, seized the moment. First, she asked Mahomes if he would take a picture with Sophia. Then, she handed him a Sophia Strong bracelet.
“I said, ‘Mr. Mahomes this bracelet is from my daughter,’” explained Jenny.
Jenny said Mahomes put the bracelet on his wrist and then walked over to Sophia.
“He said he would wear it to the next football game. He said to watch for it,” said Sophia.
To the family’s surprise, Mahomes did indeed wear Sophia’s bracelet during his next game.
“I was so happy, and I wasn’t expecting that,” Sophia exclaimed. “We paused the TV and took all kinds of different pictures of it, and we still do that every time we watch the football games.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 19: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs holds up the Lamar Hunt trophy after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Sophia said she was even more thrilled when she saw Mahomes wearing her wristband during the AFC Championship game.
“It was awesome! When he was holding up the trophy, I couldn’t see it, but then when I saw the pictures, I could see a little itty bitty piece sticking out of my little wristband on there,” she said.
The question is: Will Mahomes wear the bracelet during the Super Bowl?
Sophia and her mother said they are hopeful. However, no matter what, they said Mahomes has given them a gift unlike any other.
“I just want to tell him thank you, and he told me he was going to wear it and he continues to wear it and that just means so much to me especially through all the stuff I have been through,” Sophia said.
“Mahomes put a lot of joy in Sophia,” Jenny said. “Her being able to stop and pause the TV and see her wristband on his arm like brings so much joy to her. It’s so wonderful to see her smiling and, you know, rooting and cheering, just happy.”
Sophia has been in remission for about two months. She returned to Thomas More Prep-Marian on Tuesday to continue her sophomore year.
