Patrick Mahomes Finds Out His Biggest Fan is Battling Cancer—What He Does Next Will Melt Your Heart!
Ten-year-old Zack Holloway had always been a huge fan of Patrick Mahomes. Even when he was diagnosed with leukemia, he carried his favorite quarterback’s example with him. “Patrick Mahomes played through injury and won,” Zack would say, as he endured round after round of chemotherapy. “If he can do it, so can I.” He wore his Mahomes jersey to school every day, even during the toughest days of treatment, determined to fight with the same courage he admired in his hero.
It was during one of these tough days, as Zack sat at his school desk after chemo, that Mrs. Patel, his fifth-grade teacher, made a decision that would change everything. She wrote a letter to Patrick Mahomes about her brave student and sent it off, hoping against hope that it might reach him. No one expected what happened next.
Patrick Mahomes was sitting in his office, sifting through fan mail one afternoon when his assistant, Vanessa, walked in with a cup of coffee and a small pile of letters. “Anything interesting today?” Patrick asked, as he leaned back in his chair. Vanessa handed him the pile and pointed to one letter on top. “There’s one here that you might want to read yourself,” she said. It was a handwritten letter from a teacher in Ohio.
Patrick’s interest piqued, he picked up the letter and opened it. Unlike most of his fan mail, this one was written on simple lined paper, its neat but hurried handwriting indicating urgency. He began to read.
Dear Mr. Mahomes,
My name is Priya Patel, and I am a fifth-grade teacher at Oakwood Elementary School in Milfield, Ohio. I’m writing to you about a very special student of mine named Zack Holloway. Zack is 10 years old, and he’s your biggest fan. He wears your number 15 jersey every day, and the school even had to make an exception to the dress code because he refused to take it off. He can recite your career stats better than ESPN analysts and always writes book reports about you.
Last month, Zack was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite everything, he’s kept coming to school. He even wore his jersey to class after his chemo sessions. When I asked him how he was staying so strong, he said, “Patrick Mahomes played through injury and won a Super Bowl, so I can come to school after chemo.” That’s the kind of kid Zack is.
I’m not writing to ask for anything, Mr. Mahomes. Zack doesn’t know I’m sending this letter, but yesterday, during our class discussion about heroes, Zack said that his biggest dream was to meet you one day. He said you taught him that winners don’t make excuses, so he’s not going to make excuses about his cancer. If you could send him a note or even a small gesture of encouragement, it would mean the world to him.
Sincerely,
Priya Patel,
Fifth-Grade Teacher, Oakwood Elementary
Patrick sat quietly, absorbing every word. The letter touched him deeply. He had heard countless stories of children battling illness, and while he had sent autographed jerseys or made hospital visits in the past, something about this letter struck him differently. He thought about Zack’s strength, about the way he had used Patrick’s example to stay strong through chemotherapy.
“Vanessa,” Patrick said quietly, “do we have anything scheduled for next weekend?”
Vanessa checked her tablet. “You have a charity golf tournament on Saturday and a Nike meeting on Monday, but Sunday is free.”
Patrick’s mind was already made up. “Clear my schedule for Monday,” he said firmly. “And find out everything you can about pediatric leukemia treatment.”
Vanessa raised an eyebrow but nodded. She knew that tone—it was the same one Patrick used before a big game. She made the calls and arranged everything for Patrick’s visit to Ohio.
The next morning, Patrick arrived in Milfield, Ohio, with a small bag full of gifts for Zack. He had arranged to visit him at the hospital, and while he was there, he wanted to do something special. He wasn’t just there to send an autograph or sign a jersey. Patrick wanted to make a real difference for Zack, just as Zack had used Patrick’s example to get through his toughest days.
When Patrick walked into Zack’s hospital room, the boy’s eyes widened in disbelief. He was lying in bed, his thin body covered in a Bulls jersey that looked far too big for him, his face tired and pale from the effects of his treatment. But as soon as he saw Patrick standing in the doorway, a huge smile broke across his face.
“Patrick… Mahomes?” Zack whispered, his voice barely a breath. “Is this real?”
Patrick smiled warmly and stepped into the room, sitting down beside Zack’s bed. “It’s real, buddy,” he said softly. “I heard you’re my biggest fan.”
Zack nodded eagerly. “I can name every game you’ve ever played in… I even know your stats by heart!”
Patrick chuckled. “You’ve got me beat there, kid. I’m impressed.”
For the next half hour, Patrick sat beside Zack’s bed, sharing stories of his career, of the Super Bowls, the tough losses, and the moments that made him the player he was. Zack asked questions, his voice filled with wonder, about everything from Patrick’s first game to the biggest challenges he’d faced on the field.
Then, Patrick pulled out a special gift. “I brought you something, Zack,” he said, reaching into his bag. “A signed football, just for you.” He handed the ball to Zack, who clutched it reverently, his eyes shining.
“There’s something else,” Patrick continued, reaching into his bag again. This time, he pulled out a custom jersey with Zack’s name on the back. “It’s your very own jersey, just like the one I wear,” Patrick said.
Zack’s mouth dropped open. “This… this is for me?”
Patrick smiled. “Yep. But that’s not all.”
Next, Patrick pulled out a box from Nike—inside were custom-designed sneakers, just for Zack. “These are one-of-a-kind,” Patrick said. “No one else in the world has these.”
Tears welled in Zack’s eyes as he looked at the gifts. “Thank you, Patrick,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “You’re the reason I’ve kept fighting. You showed me that champions don’t give up, no matter what.”
Patrick’s heart swelled as he listened to Zack. He had never met anyone so determined, so full of courage. “You’re the real champion here, Zack,” he said. “And you know, I’ve been thinking about what you said. About winning even when it’s hard. I’m going to use your example to keep pushing myself, too.”
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, but as the visit drew to a close, Patrick made a promise. “You keep fighting, Zack. I’m rooting for you. And one day, we’ll see you on the field playing, just like I know you’re going to.”
Zack smiled, his eyes filled with hope. “I’ll make it,” he said quietly. “Just like you did.”
Patrick stood up, placing a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “This isn’t goodbye, buddy. This is just the beginning of a new chapter. You’re going to do great things.”
As Patrick left the hospital, he felt a profound sense of purpose. Meeting Zack had changed him, just as much as he had hoped to change Zack. It wasn’t just about the gifts. It was about the courage that Zack had shown in the face of his illness, and the way he had used Patrick’s example to keep going. Patrick made a silent vow to himself that he would continue to help others in the way Zack had inspired him.
For Zack, that visit became the turning point in his fight. With renewed strength and courage, he faced his treatments with determination. And through it all, he carried the memory of meeting his hero—Patrick Mahomes—and the promise that he would never give up.
Kansas City’s Sparkling Welcome for Patrick Mahomes & Brittany Mahomes Newborn Is Fit for the City’s Newest Princess
Kansas City is making sure everyone in the city — whether they’re on social media or not — knows that Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes welcomed Baby No. 3. Earlier this week, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and his wife announced on Instagram that baby Golden Raye Mahomes was born. Fans were absolutely thrilled for the high school sweethearts who also share kids Sterling Mahomes, 3 and Bronze Mahomes, 2.
To the country, the Mahomeses are largely considered the “First Family of Football,” but to Kansas City, they might as well be royalty. After all, Patrick led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories (so far?!) and Brittany is the co-owner of the Kansas City Current and is known for her impeccable sideline style.
So is it really any wonder that Kansas City gave Golden a welcome befitting a princess? Following the Mahomes’ announcement, Kansas City’s historic Union Station lit their arches in gold.
“Union Station is bathed in gold as we join the KC community in congratulating [Brittany and Patrick] on the arrival of their third child,” read the caption on a post from the Union Station Instagram page.
The next night, the station honored all three Mahomes kiddos.
“Tonight, we celebrate this special three-peat with our center arches illuminated in sterling silver, bronze and gold,” the caption said. Brittany shared the post on her Instagram Story and wrote, “All my babies” with a teary-eyed emoji and a hand-drawn heart.
“Awesome! KC’s royal family ❤️,” one follower commented on Union Station’s post. Another added, “This is the sweetest thing! Congrats to the sweetest family on your new baby girl❤️”
Patrick Mahomes with wife Brittany Mahomes and kids Bronze and Sterling Mahomes
During a recent press conference, Patrick revealed how he passed the time while waiting for little Golden Raye’s arrival.
“It was cool that football was on TV when I was in the hospital, so I got to watch a little bit,” he said during a press conference. “Brittany was kind enough to let us watch football as she was getting ready to give birth to our second daughter.”
After welcoming Golden, Patrick seemed to ever-so-slightly change his tune about family planning. Over the summer, the NFL star told a reporter he’s “done.” “I said, ‘Three and I’m done,’” Patrick said at the time.
Now it sounds like things are a little less definitive. “I’m good with three for right now,” he told reporters two days after Golden’s birth.
For right now. Maybe Union Station will be shining with a new color before we know it.
Ground your baby in grace and strength with one of these names inspired by elements.
