Patrick Mahomes Ate Lunch With A Homeless Woman – What Happens Next Went Completely Viral!
It was a typical sunny afternoon in Los Angeles, with the streets bustling as usual, yet for Patrick Mahomes, something felt different. The holiday season was supposed to bring joy, but for Patrick, it was anything but festive. His thoughts were consumed with the latest project he was working on—an initiative designed to provide underprivileged athletes with access to training and scholarships. What was supposed to be a moment of accomplishment was slowly turning into a struggle, a project falling behind schedule with every passing day. The pressure of expectations, both personal and professional, had begun to weigh heavily on his shoulders.
As Patrick walked through downtown Los Angeles, the sounds of the city around him seemed to mock him. The honking of cars, street vendors calling out to passersby, and the distant chatter of people on the sidewalks all blurred together into a hum that he couldn’t shake. Despite the bright sunshine, Patrick felt an overwhelming emptiness inside, like something was missing. He was used to the pressure—the endless training, the late-night meetings, the constant drive to be better—but today felt different. It was as if the ambition that had once fueled his every step had run dry.
He kept walking, his hands buried deep in his jacket pockets as he reflected on the setbacks that had consumed his day. The once clear vision for his project had become clouded with doubt, and for the first time in a long while, he felt unsure. Patrick Mahomes, someone who had conquered every football challenge thrown his way, was feeling defeated by an entirely different kind of struggle.
With each step, his unease deepened. The familiar buzz of the city felt disconnected from his own thoughts, like he was floating above it all, detached from the energy that usually propelled him forward. He could hear the distant laughter of children playing, the music of a street musician strumming a guitar, and the laughter of a couple sharing an ice cream cone—but all of it seemed so far away, as if he were watching it from a distance.
When Patrick reached the corner of a quiet side street, he spotted a bench tucked under the shade of a tree. He took a seat, slumping his shoulders in exhaustion. The warmth of the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows across his face, but even this small moment of calm seemed fleeting. Patrick took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his thoughts pressing on his chest. Was this really what his life was supposed to look like?
He had worked tirelessly to build an extraordinary career, but now, sitting there in the heart of a city that never stopped, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had lost something along the way—something important. The people he helped, the young athletes whose lives he touched, all of that had been worth it. But in moments like these, he wondered at what cost. He had given so much, but was it enough?
As his thoughts drifted, Patrick barely noticed the world around him. The laughter of the children playing tag nearby, the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze, and the faint aroma of tacos sizzling on a grill from a nearby vendor all seemed to pass him by. Normally, these simple pleasures would lift his spirits, but today, nothing seemed to touch him.
Just as he began to sink deeper into his thoughts, Patrick heard the soft patter of small footsteps approaching. He looked up and was surprised to see a little girl, no older than three, standing in front of him. The girl had big, curious eyes and was holding a sandwich in her tiny hands, offering it to Patrick with the innocence only a child could possess.
“Hi,” the little girl said softly, her voice sweet and pure. She held the sandwich out to Patrick, her eyes wide with unguarded concern. “Are you hungry?”
Patrick blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the girl’s gesture. He glanced down at the sandwich, then back at the girl, who looked up at him expectantly, as if this simple act of kindness was the most natural thing in the world. Patrick felt a strange warmth wash over him, a sense of something he hadn’t felt in a long time—hope, maybe, or simply the reminder that kindness still existed.
“Yes, I think I am,” Patrick replied softly, a small smile beginning to form on his face. He reached out and took the sandwich from the little girl’s hands, feeling an unexpected comfort in the gesture.
“My mommy says people are happier when they eat something,” the little girl added, nodding seriously, as if this was a well-known fact. Her words, so innocent and free from any pretense, touched Patrick deeply. It was a kindness given without expectation, pure and unfiltered, and for the first time in a long time, Patrick felt something stir inside him—a reminder of the simple goodness in the world.
“Thank you,” Patrick said, his voice thick with emotion. “That was very kind of you.”
The little girl smiled brightly, then turned and walked away, as if offering Patrick a sandwich was just another part of her day. Patrick watched her go, the weight on his shoulders suddenly feeling a little lighter. He hadn’t realized how much he needed this small moment of connection until it had arrived, unasked for and unexpected.
Over the next week, Patrick found himself thinking about that little girl and the kindness she had shown. The weight of his responsibilities still pressed on him, but something had shifted. The memory of that simple, selfless act—the sandwich, the pure-hearted concern of a child—was like a spark that reignited a flame inside him. Patrick began to feel the energy he had lost return. The project that had once seemed like an impossible challenge began to feel more manageable, and the doubt that had crept into his heart started to fade.
Then, seven days later, Patrick was standing at a press event when he was handed a message. It was from a mother, Olivia Harper, and it read, “I don’t know if you remember, but my daughter, Sophia, gave you a sandwich last week. She said you seemed hungry, and you said thank you. I just wanted to let you know how much that meant to both of us. You made her day.”
Patrick smiled as he read the message. It seemed like such a small thing, but to Olivia, and to her daughter, Sophia, it had meant the world. Patrick reached for his phone, dialing the number Olivia had left.
“Hi, this is Patrick Mahomes,” he said, his voice warm and welcoming. “I just wanted to thank you and Sophia for the sandwich. It really meant a lot to me, more than you could know.”
Olivia’s voice on the other end of the line was filled with surprise and gratitude. “I—thank you for calling. Sophia talks about that moment every day. She’s so proud of what she did.”
And just like that, something had changed. Patrick realized that while he had been chasing success and accolades, sometimes it was the small, simple moments that truly mattered. The kindness of a child had given him the perspective he needed to move forward, not just in his work, but in his life. It was a reminder that even in the face of struggles, the world could still surprise you with moments of grace.
We tried Patrick Mahomes’ cheat meal in college. It was ‘legendary’
Editor’s Note: This is a dispatch from our Red Kingdom Road Trip. We’re connecting with Chiefs fans across the country ahead of the Super Bowl — share your story with us using this form. Read more from our journey to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl here on KansasCity.com, in our newsletters, or on The Star’s Instagram.
As our Red Kingdom Road Trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas made its stop in Lubbock, Texas, home of Texas Tech University where Patrick Mahomes played college ball, we wondered: What was Mahomes’ favorite place to eat when he was in school?
Sure enough, Mahomes told ESPN what his favorite local restaurant was back in 2016: Spanky’s, a beloved hole-in-the-wall where everything’s fried, including his favorite order, their famous fried cheese.
Or as the Kansas City Chiefs’ star QB put it, their “legendary” fried cheese, which comes 6 for $10.50.
A string of cheese stretches from the famous fried cheese at Spanky’s as Alison Booth, a journalist from the Kansas City Star, indulges at Patrick Mahomes’ favorite restaurant while attending Texas Tech University.
“The fried cheese has always been one of our staples,” owner Lisa West said. “And it’s exactly the same” as it was when the restaurant opened 42 years ago, right across the street from Texas Tech’s main campus.
“We’ve grown a lot through the years because we are such a Lubbock landmark. We’ve had lots of followers from across different generations come, even grandchildren now.”
Spanky’s at 811 University Ave., is seen on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas.
Mahomes told ESPN then that he couldn’t eat fried foods often, but when he did, it was always Spanky’s.
The staff came to recognize him, too, West said. She said he liked to sit upstairs next to the window and look out at Texas Tech’s football stadium while he ate. When Mahomes mentioned the restaurant as his favorite, West said their love of the former Red Raider only grew stronger.
“We were honored to be thought of, and we already loved him, but that made us love him even more,” West said. “We wish him good luck in the Super Bowl. We’re always rooting for him.”
So what did we think?
Kansas City Star journalists Alison Booth, left, and Irvin Zhang prepare to eat a platter of Spanky’s famous fried cheese in Lubbock, Texas.
Alison: 8/10
I don’t know what I was expecting when I learned Mahomes’ favorite college snack was fried cheese. Cheese balls? Cubes, maybe? So, when we got this basket of ginormous cheese sticks on our table, I was excited. The breading is much thicker, more crumbly than your average mozzarella stick, and, dipped in ranch, these made for a great pre-dinner snack.
Irvin: 8.5/10
If I was still in college, I could see this spot being a constant temptation for my late-night cravings. I mean, their famous fried cheese is essentially super-sized mozzarella sticks! What’s not to like? If I ever find myself back in Lubbock, I’m definitely coming back.
Emily: 9/10
My experience at Spanky’s was delightful. The restaurant exuded a cute and cozy atmosphere, giving off strong college student vibes reminiscent of my days at San Francisco State University. It reminded me of the mom-and-pop spot, Underdogs Tres, in San Francisco. The famous fried cheese was HUGE and incredibly crunchy. I couldn’t help but wonder where they found such gigantic mozzarella! The cheese stayed perfectly intact, offering a delightful stretchy goodness. Personally, I enjoyed it even more with the ranch dressing.
