It was a chilly evening in the city, the kind that saw the hustle and bustle of the day give way to an eerie quiet. The streets were now filled with shadows, and the neon lights of late-night stores flickered weakly in the night. Among the few souls out in the quiet, a young girl named Olivia sat by a convenience store, her old violin resting awkwardly against her thin frame. She was no more than 12, her body shivering from the cold as she drew the bow across the violin’s strings, producing a hauntingly beautiful melody. The sound was fragile, raw, but undeniably powerful, as if every note carried the weight of her struggles and dreams.
Beside her, curled up on a flattened cardboard box, her little sister Sophie, no older than six, slept soundly under an oversized sweater that was too big for her. Sophie’s small form barely registered in the chilly air, while Olivia’s music filled the empty streets with a sense of quiet desperation. The melody was more than just music; it was a plea, a cry for help, and a glimmer of hope all wrapped up in the somber notes that floated into the cold night.
Across the street, Patrick Mahomes, or “Big Patrick” as many called him, stepped out of a quiet diner, his large frame towering over the surroundings. The usual energy that accompanied his every movement was subdued tonight as he prepared to head home. But then, the soft sound of Olivia’s violin cut through the stillness of the evening. Patrick paused, his footsteps faltering as he stood still for a moment, drawn to the fragile yet powerful tune.
Curiosity piqued, Patrick turned his head and spotted Olivia. Her small, frail frame, sitting there under the streetlight with a violin far too old and worn for someone her age, made his heart tighten. It was a sight that left him standing there in a daze. This wasn’t just a little girl playing a violin; this was survival. The contrast between the delicate nature of Olivia and the desolation of the street hit him hard. His gaze swept over her worn-out clothes, her shaking hands, and the empty plastic cup beside her, barely containing a few coins. Sophie’s tiny form still lay asleep, unaware of the world around her.
Patrick walked across the street, his towering figure casting a long shadow over the cold pavement. As he approached Olivia, her fingers faltered on the violin’s strings. She looked up, and the sight of the giant NFL star standing before her made her freeze. Fear flashed across her face as she instinctively pulled the violin closer to her chest, as if it could shield her from whatever she feared most.
Patrick crouched slightly to make himself less intimidating, his deep voice breaking the silence. “Hey there,” he said gently, offering her a warm smile, his tone inviting her to trust him. “I’m not here to bother you. I just wanted to listen.”
Olivia hesitated, her wide eyes flicking nervously between Patrick and her sleeping sister. She tightened her grip on her violin and asked in a shaky voice, “What do you want?”
Patrick studied her for a moment, noticing the exhaustion in her eyes and the way she held the violin as if it were her only possession of value. He could tell she was more than just a girl playing for spare change; she was fighting for something more. “I just wanted to know your name,” Patrick said softly.
“Olivia,” she answered quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes shifted to Sophie, still curled up, and Patrick’s heart broke at the sight of her sister’s fragile state.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Patrick said, trying to ease her nervousness. “How long have you been out here, Olivia?”
She shrugged, her gaze dropping to the ground. “Since morning,” she said, her voice barely audible. “I play… to get money. For me and Sophie.” Her words held a weight, a lifetime of hardship packed into a sentence too simple for what it truly meant.
Patrick’s brow furrowed. “All day?” he asked in disbelief. Olivia nodded silently, and Patrick’s heart tightened further. He glanced at Sophie again, still asleep on the cardboard. “Have you eaten today?” he asked gently.
Olivia’s eyes flickered briefly to her sister before she answered, “Not really. Sophie had a little bread earlier.”
Patrick exhaled sharply, standing to his full height, anger and sadness bubbling inside him. “You shouldn’t be out here like this,” he said firmly. His voice softened as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a wad of bills. He crouched again and placed the money into Olivia’s cup. “Get something to eat. You and Sophie. It’s too cold out here.”
Olivia looked at the money, her eyes wide in disbelief. “I can’t take this,” she stammered, shaking her head.
“Yes, you can,” Patrick said with a kind, firm tone. “Get something to eat, and take care of yourselves.”
Olivia stared at the money, a long silence hanging between them. Finally, she nodded slightly, the weight of the gesture sinking in. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Patrick nodded, his jaw tightening with quiet resolve. He glanced one last time at Sophie before standing up. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said softly, his voice carrying a note of reassurance.
Olivia looked up at him, confusion in her eyes. “Tomorrow?”
Patrick gave a faint smile, his eyes determined. “Yeah, tomorrow. You’ll see.”
With that, Patrick turned and walked back to his SUV. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, he glanced back in the rearview mirror, his heart aching as he saw Olivia still sitting there, staring after him. It was clear she wasn’t sure if what had just happened was real. But Patrick knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t the last time he would see Olivia and Sophie.
The next morning, Patrick didn’t just wake up with the thought of helping; he took action. He called his foundation, organizing a team to address the immediate needs of Olivia and her sister. When they arrived at the same corner as the night before, Patrick was ready to make a difference.
There, sitting with her violin, was Olivia, playing another mournful tune. Sophie was awake now, sitting beside her sister. Patrick approached, his figure impossible to miss, but this time, his presence didn’t startle Olivia. Instead, she looked up at him, her expression filled with a sense of cautious hope.
“Did you eat?” Patrick asked gently, crouching down to meet her eyes.
Olivia nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, sandwiches for me and Sophie.”
“That’s good,” Patrick said. “But you don’t need to be out here today. We’re going to take care of some things.”
Olivia frowned slightly, her grip on the violin tightening. “What do you mean?”
Patrick extended his hand toward her, his voice calm but firm. “Come on. I’m taking you both home. I’m going to meet your mom, and we’ll figure out what you need. It’s okay, I promise.”
Olivia hesitated, glancing at Sophie, who looked up at her sister with wide, questioning eyes. After a long moment, Olivia nodded. She helped Sophie into the SUV, and the three of them drove off together.
When they arrived at Olivia’s home, the apartment was small, cramped, and worn. But it was theirs. Inside, Olivia’s mother, weak and tired, was resting on a couch. Patrick approached her gently and introduced himself. “Your daughter is incredible,” he said. “I just want to help you all out.”
Tears welled in Olivia’s mother’s eyes as she looked at Patrick. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, overwhelmed by the kindness.
Patrick’s foundation arrived soon after, bringing food, clothes, and medical supplies. The transformation was swift, and Olivia and Sophie were surrounded by support for the first time in their lives.
As the days passed, Patrick continued to support Olivia’s musical journey, connecting her with a music teacher, helping her develop her talents, and giving her the opportunity to thrive. Olivia’s dream of becoming a musician was no longer a distant hope—it was a reality, and Patrick Mahomes had made it all possible with a single act of kindness.
For Olivia, this was just the beginning. With her violin in hand and hope in her heart, she was ready to face whatever came next. And with Patrick’s unwavering support, she knew she would succeed.
Patrick Mahomes Ends Years of Online Rumors: ‘A Proud User of Invisalign’
Patrick Mahomes’ new brand partnership has some bite.
After years of fan theories and speculation online that Mahomes uses Invisalign—with internet sleuths suspecting the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was seen chewing on an Invisalign on the sidelines—Mahomes is finally setting the record (and his chompers) straight: He is an Invisalign user.
And the QB is doing so while also announcing a new partnership with Invisalign.
“After many years of speculation, I figured it was finally time to set the record straight, and many of you were right … I am a proud user of Invisalign,” Mahomes said. “As an athlete, I’m always focused on optimizing my performance and health, so when it came time for me to choose how to improve my smile, it was clear that Invisalign aligners were the right choice for me over traditional braces. I’m excited to officially join Team Invisalign.”
Mahomes joins the “Invisalign Smile Squad” as an ambassador for the brand in a multi-year agreement. As part of the Invisalign team, Mahomes will share his treatment experience with fans in a multi-channel campaign.
“The Invisalign Smile Squad was created to help consumers better understand the complete Invisalign treatment experience in a very real and relatable way,” noted Kamal Bhandal, Align Technology vice president, global brand and Americas marketing. “We are thrilled to welcome Patrick Mahomes to the squad to share his unique journey with his fans.”
Of course, the QB’s other team, the Chiefs, have a major battle against the Houston Texans this weekend on their journey to a potentially third straight Super Bowl. But before that game kicks off on Saturday, Mahomes exclusively spoke to ADWEEK about taking on a different opponent: crooked smiles.
ADWEEK: Patrick, as you’ve said, your use of Invisalign has been speculated on for a long time now. Why is now the right time to address the rumors, and how did the partnership come together?
It’s funny how much speculation there’s been about something as simple as my aligners. Invisalign is a product that has made a real difference for me personally, and I wanted to pass that along to others, so the partnership came together pretty naturally. I’ve been using their product for a while because it’s helped me feel more confident without it being too noticeable or affecting my day-to-day routine. When we started talking, it just made sense to team up and share that story. It’s great to work with a brand that aligns with who I am and helps me inspire others to feel good about themselves, too.
You obviously have several brand partnerships: State Farm, Adidas, and Subway, to name a few. What do you look for in partner brands?
Authenticity, first and foremost. Also, if it’s a brand or product that I already use and have a connection with outside of football.
How do your partnerships all work together? Is it ever cumbersome to remove your Invisalign to eat Subway, for example?
That’s the ultimate multitasking question right there! Honestly, it’s all about balance. I’ve got a system down—pop out the Invisalign, take a bite of the sandwich, and then brush up so I don’t upset my dentist.
The Invisalign rumor was one that’s been circulating for a while. Are there any other wild or fun rumors you’ve read about yourself that you can set the record straight?
I try not to pay much attention to rumors about me; however, I did find the rumor that I put ketchup on cereal to be wild! I can confirm that I do not put ketchup on my cereal.
Lastly, out of all your potential sponsorships, why did this Invisalign partnership have a lot of teeth to it?
The Invisalign partnership just made sense because it’s something I actually use every day and believe in. This partnership definitely has teeth to it because it’s about confidence, and that’s something everyone deserves to feel—on and off the field. We’re also excited to do some great work together as well as partnering with my foundation, 15 and the Mahomies Foundation.
