Patrick Mahomes & Andy Reid Join Forces for a Book Drive — Even BYU and Texas Tech Fans Dropped Their Rivalry to Help a Child

College football thrives on rivalries—chants, colors, and bragging rights that span generations. But on November 8, 2025, as BYU traveled to Lubbock for a primetime clash with Texas Tech, the week’s biggest storyline didn’t come from the playbook. It came from a shared mission. Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech’s most famous quarterback alum, and Andy Reid, the BYU legend-turned–Super Bowl–winning head coach, united to launch the Mahomes-Reid Book Drive—a simple idea with transformative ambition: bring books, change lives.

“Changing a Child’s Life” wasn’t just a slogan—it was a challenge. In a viral commercial, Mahomes and Reid called on fans of both schools to compete not for noise or dominance on the field, but for generosity. The result was a powerful reimagining of rivalry: BYU blue and Texas Tech red converging not just at the tailgate but at bins stacked with stories, chapter books, and picture books bound for kids across Lubbock.

The Power of Two Alphas, Rechanneled

– Mahomes, the relentless playmaker, and Reid, the architect of modern offensive genius, brought their on-field chemistry to a different stage.
– Their shared message was unmistakable: Rivalries can fuel good. Bring new and gently used books. Support Lubbock Literacy. Change a child’s life.
– Their star power didn’t just attract attention—it normalized cooperation. Alumni groups that usually out-cheer each other spent the week out-giving each other.

Tailgates with a Purpose

For years, the Tech-BYU tailgate culture has been electric—grills hot, flags high, music loud. This time, tables doubled as donation stations. Fans traded playful jabs while carrying boxes of books. Volunteers sorted titles by age level. Families snapped photos with stacks destined for school libraries and community centers. The spectacle felt less like a one-off charity gesture and more like a blueprint for what college football weekends could become.

– Beneficiary: Lubbock Literacy, an organization that equips children with the reading skills and access needed to thrive.
– Call to action: “Bring books to the tailgate—together, let’s change a child’s life!”
– Visual impact: Rival colors mixed in the same lines, united by the same mission.

A Cultural Shift with Deep Roots

Andy Reid’s alma mater has long promoted “Cougs Care,” marrying competition with community. Pairing that ethos with Texas Tech’s home-field pride—and Mahomes’ deep ties to Lubbock—amplified the message. Following a recent coat and shoe drive in Iowa, this literacy-focused initiative extended a streak of athlete-driven philanthropy into a local cause with long-term impact.

For Mahomes, the book drive wasn’t symbolic—it was personal. Giving back to the city that sparked his rise underscored a larger point: success isn’t just rings and records; it’s reach. It’s the ability to mobilize people in service of something bigger than themselves.

Why Literacy—and Why Now

Reading is more than a school subject. It’s a gateway to opportunity, confidence, and imagination. Communities that invest in literacy see benefits that ripple across classrooms and neighborhoods: higher graduation rates, better lifelong outcomes, and stronger civic engagement.

– Books scale impact: One donation can be read by dozens of kids over years.
– Local focus, lasting effect: Lubbock Literacy’s infrastructure ensures donations go where they’re needed most—schools, shelters, after-school programs, and libraries.
– Signals matter: When icons like Mahomes and Reid elevate reading, they make learning aspirational, not obligatory.

Rivalry, Reframed

This wasn’t a ceasefire so much as a redirection. Competitive spirit didn’t disappear; it evolved.

– New scoreboard: Which fan base could donate more? Which alumni chapter could fill the most boxes? Which family could inspire others to contribute?
– Shared victory: The final tally mattered less than the collective statement: fandom can be fierce and generous.
– Replicable model: What happened in Lubbock can happen anywhere—Tallahassee and Gainesville, Ann Arbor and Columbus, Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

Lessons for Leaders and Fans

– Star power is a lever—use it for systems change, not just spotlights.
– Keep it simple: a familiar venue (tailgates), a focused ask (books), and a credible partner (local literacy org).
– Celebrate participation, not just totals. The sight of kids picking a favorite book from a donation table can inspire more giving than any stat.

The Lasting Image

Two titans of the NFL, bonded by different alma maters and the same purpose, turned a rivalry week into a literacy movement. The most enduring photo from BYU vs. Texas Tech 2025 may not be a touchdown or a goal-line stand—it’s the one of fans in opposing colors, smiling over a pile of books that will open doors for children they’ll never meet.

That’s the kind of win that outlasts a final score. And it’s a reminder that the real legacy of sport lives beyond the end zone—on shelves, in classrooms, and in the minds of the next generation of readers.