The Day Patrick Mahomes Saw a Waitress Get Fired for Feeding a Stray Dog and Changed Her Life
It was a crisp fall morning in Los Angeles. Golden leaves scattered across the sidewalks of Venice Beach as Patrick Mahomes walked back from his morning workout. Dressed in a Chiefs-red hoodie and dark sunglasses, he was trying to maintain a low profile—a challenge for a star quarterback recognized everywhere. Patrick decided to stop at Coastal Cafe, a small local joint known for its strong coffee and laid-back vibe.
He chose a corner table where he could watch the street without drawing too much attention. Maya, a 24-year-old waitress with curly hair pulled back in a messy bun, was working that day. She had moved from Detroit just six months ago, chasing a more stable job while taking night classes in business administration. For now, she was juggling two jobs to cover rent and tuition.
Outside the cafe, a medium-sized mutt with brown fur and a distinctive star-shaped white patch on its chest was rummaging through trash. Maya had noticed him over the past few days—skinny, with sad but gentle eyes. “Jack,” she called him, though she had no idea what his real name might be. “Bet you’re hungry again today, huh?” Patrick watched as Maya, thinking no one was looking, grabbed a plate with leftover bacon and eggs that a customer had abandoned and quietly slipped out through the back door.
“Here, Jackson, I know it’s not much, but it’ll help,” she said, placing the plate on the ground for the hungry dog. What Maya didn’t realize was that Frank, the hotheaded manager, was watching her from his office window. He burst through the door. “Maya, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” he barked.
“Just giving him what would be thrown away anyway,” she responded, visibly startled.
“How many times do I have to tell you we don’t feed strays? They keep coming back, hanging around the front and freaking out the customers.” Frank’s face turned red. “This is company policy, which you signed when you started.”
“But he’s starving,” Maya argued, her voice shaking.
“I’m trying to run a business here. This is the third time this month. You’re fired. Get your stuff and be out by the end of your shift.”
Patrick witnessed the entire scene through the window. The dog, frightened by the yelling, backed away but didn’t run off completely, staying at a safe distance and looking at Maya with hopeful eyes. Maya came back inside, silent tears streaming down her face as she tried to maintain her composure in front of customers.
Patrick felt something tighten in his chest. He knew that feeling well—it was the same one he got when he saw injustice and knew he could do something about it. When Maya approached to serve him, trying to hide that she’d been crying, Patrick lowered his sunglasses.
“You did the right thing out there,” he said quietly.
Maya’s eyes widened as she recognized him. “Patrick Mahomes? Thank you, but it looks like it cost me my job.”
“Sometimes doing the right thing comes with a price,” Patrick replied, glancing out the window at the dog who was still waiting. “But trust me, it’s worth it. When your shift ends, can we talk?”
At the end of her final shift at Coastal Cafe, Maya found Patrick waiting outside with the dog she had fed. Surprisingly, the animal seemed comfortable beside the football star.
“Looks like he likes you,” Maya commented, wiping away a stubborn tear.
“Animals have good instincts,” Patrick responded with a smile. “Look, I saw what happened earlier. That manager was way out of line.”
“Thanks, but now I’m down one job. I don’t know how I’m going to make rent and tuition this month.”
Patrick crouched down to pet the dog, who responded by licking his hand. “What’s your story, girl? You’re a student, right?”
Maya was surprised. He remembered. “Business administration, night classes. I came to LA looking for better opportunities, but so far I’ve only managed to land these part-time gigs.”
“And this guy here?” Patrick asked, gesturing to the dog now rubbing against his leg.
“Jackson? Well, that’s what I’ve been calling him. He’s been showing up around here for the past few weeks. I tried to find some ID, but he doesn’t have a collar.”
Patrick looked at the dog. There was something special about him—a certain dignity despite his dire situation.
“You know, my wife and I have been talking about getting a dog. I think Jackson here would fit right in.”
Maya’s eyes lit up. “You’d adopt Jackson?”
“Why not? He seems like good company.” Patrick stood up, adjusting his jacket. “As for your other problem, I know some people who might be able to help you find a better job.”
Maya shook her head. “I don’t want any handouts.”
“It’s not a handout,” Patrick interrupted. “It’s networking. A friend of mine, Jeanie, is opening a sports-themed restaurant downtown. She needs someone for the administrative team—someone trustworthy who knows how restaurants operate.”
“Restaurant management? That would be perfect for my degree.”
“Exactly. You already have hands-on experience and you’re studying the field.” Patrick pulled out his phone. “I’ll text her right now. Meanwhile, I think we should get this guy to a vet.”
That same afternoon, Patrick, Maya, and Jackson visited the Cedar Sinai Pet Care Clinic. The doctor confirmed that the dog was approximately three years old, malnourished but without serious health issues. While they waited, Maya’s phone rang. It was Jeanie Buss, Patrick’s friend and owner of the new restaurant, Courtzside Dining. She wanted to interview Maya the next day.
“Patrick, I don’t know how to thank you,” Maya said, emotional after hanging up.
“Don’t thank me yet. You still have to earn the job on your own,” he replied with a smile. “But I’m sure you will.”
As they left the clinic, Patrick looked down at Jackson, now clean and sporting a new collar. “Welcome to the family, buddy.”
Three weeks passed. Maya had landed the job at Courtzside Dining and was already applying concepts from her classes in real time. Her life was finally coming together. The new job paid better than her two previous jobs combined, and the flexible hours allowed her to focus more on her studies.
Patrick, meanwhile, was enchanted with his new canine companion. Jackson, now officially part of the Mahomes family, had quickly won the hearts of his wife Brittany and their young daughter Sterling. The dog, once malnourished and frightened, now had a shiny coat and energy to play for hours in their spacious backyard.
One Wednesday morning, Patrick decided to take Jackson for a walk in downtown LA before a business meeting. As they strolled through the arts district, something caught his eye—a poster taped to a pole with a photo of a dog identical to Jackson. “Missing Max, beloved dog of Samuel Wilson, patient at Good Samaritan Hospital, disappeared approximately one month ago, has a star-shaped white patch on chest. Reward offered.”
The photo left no doubt. It was Jackson—or rather, Max. The dog at his side seemed to recognize his own image, wagging his tail slightly as he looked at the poster. The poster had a phone number. Patrick hesitated for just a moment before pulling out his cell phone.
A woman answered after a few rings. “Hello?”
“I’m calling about the missing dog poster,” Patrick said.
“Oh, thank God. You found Max?”
“I believe so. Does he have a star-shaped white patch on his chest?”
“Yes. And a small scar on his right hind paw, almost imperceptible.”
Patrick bent down to check Jackson’s paw, and sure enough, there was a small scar he had never noticed before.
“My name is Laura Wilson. I’m Samuel’s niece. He’s been in the hospital for over a month. Max ran away when my husband went to feed him at my uncle’s house. We’re desperate. The doctor says my uncle is getting worse since he found out Max disappeared.”
Patrick felt a lump in his throat. “May I ask about your uncle’s condition?”
“He’s 78 and suffered a stroke. The doctors say his recovery would be much better if he weren’t so depressed. Max is all he has since my aunt passed away two years ago.”
After hanging up, Patrick stood still, looking at Jackson—or Max—who stared back at him with curious eyes. He had grown attached to the dog, and his family adored him. But how could he deprive an elderly, sick man of his only companion? That afternoon, Patrick called Maya and told her what he’d discovered.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Maya said after hearing the story. “To return Max to his rightful owner.”
“I know it is,” Patrick replied, his voice heavy. “But my family’s going to be heartbroken.”
“You’ve always talked about doing the right thing, even when it’s tough,” Maya gently reminded him. “This is a chance to show them that.”
The next day, Patrick gathered his family and explained the situation. As expected, there were tears and protests, especially from Sterling, who had developed a special bond with Jackson. “But he’s ours now,” she argued, hugging the dog tightly.
“Actually, he has a home and someone who loves him very much,” Patrick explained patiently. “Imagine how you’d feel if you lost something you loved dearly and someone else could return it, but chose not to.”
The family fell silent, processing his words. “Can we at least visit him sometimes?” Sterling finally asked.
“I think we can arrange that,” Patrick responded with a gentle smile.
That afternoon, Patrick, Maya, and the family headed to Good Samaritan Hospital. Laura Wilson met them in the lobby, her eyes widening as she recognized Patrick Mahomes. But her attention quickly turned to the dog. “Max!” she exclaimed, kneeling down. The dog ran to her, wagging his tail frantically and licking her face. “I can’t believe you found him.”
“Actually, Maya saved him first,” Patrick explained briefly, recounting how the dog had entered their lives.
“My uncle is going to be so happy,” Laura said, tears in her eyes. The doctors made a special exception to allow Max to visit today. Would you like to meet Samuel?
They followed Laura to room 315. Samuel Wilson was sitting in his hospital bed, white-haired with gnarled hands that trembled slightly. His face, partially affected by the stroke, lit up instantly when Max entered the room.
“Max!” he exclaimed in a choked voice, extending his arms. The dog jumped onto the bed, licking the old man’s face and wagging his tail so hard it seemed like he might take flight. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Samuel explained, “He saved my life two years ago. I found him abandoned just like you did. And shortly after, my wife passed away. I don’t know if I would have made it through that time without him.”
“And now he’s helping you recover again,” Patrick observed.
“He’s special,” Samuel agreed, stroking the dog.
Then he looked at Patrick’s family, noting their expressions. “You’ve gotten attached to him, haven’t you?” Sterling nodded shyly.
Samuel thought for a moment. “Maybe we can work something out. When I get out of the hospital, you could visit Max sometimes. Or perhaps he could spend some weekends with you.” Sterling’s face lit up.
Laura explained that her uncle was moving to a small apartment near her house after his discharge, and visits would be more than welcome.
“You know,” Samuel added, looking at Maya. “My Laura told me how you lost your job to feed Max. That kind of kindness is rare these days.”
Maya smiled, embarrassed. “It was instinctive. I couldn’t watch him starve.”
“Well, thank God for your instincts,” the old man replied. “And thank you, too, Mr. Mahomes, for giving Max a temporary home and bringing him back to me.”
As they left the hospital, Maya looked at Patrick. “It’s funny how things work out, isn’t it? I lost my job for feeding a stray dog, but it led me to a better job and friendships I never imagined having.”
“Life has a weird way of rewarding good deeds,” Patrick responded, watching his family chatting excitedly about plans for future visits to Max. “Sometimes the circle needs to close for us to see the big picture.”
In the following month, doctors attributed much of Samuel’s surprisingly rapid recovery to his improved spirits since Max’s return. The Mahomes family began visiting regularly. Sterling even wrote a school essay about the experience titled “The Dog Who Taught Us About Doing the Right Thing.” And Maya? She not only thrived in her new job, but also excelled in her studies, using her practical experience at the restaurant to complement her business classes.
Six months later, Jeanie promoted her to assistant manager, allowing her to learn every aspect of running a successful restaurant. Sometimes, it’s the seemingly small decisions—like feeding a hungry dog—that trigger waves of change, reaching more lives than we could ever imagine.
What You Should Know About Patrick Mahomes’ Dogs, Steel And Silver
As Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes eyes his chance at a repeat Super Bowl championship on Sunday, February 7, 2021, Sports Illustrated is speculating that he is on the verge of founding “the NFL’s next dynasty.” Needless to say, Mahomes has become a pretty popular guy, especially among people from Kansas City. And sure, the majority of that popularity probably comes from his skills on the gridiron, but we’re pretty sure that some of his 4 million Instagram followers are only there because of his dogs. The pair of adorable pups has almost 200,000 followers on Instagram.
Steel and Silver are one cute doggie duo, and Mahomes is absolutely over the moon for both of them. According to The Kansas City Star, he and his fiancée Brittany Matthews have had Steel since 2017. He was Patrick’s Valentine’s Day gift for Brittany that year, while he was finishing up his college football career at Texas Tech University and she was living in their hometown of Tyler, Texas. “He’s an awesome dog — very loving, very energetic,” said Mahomes. “So just having him, he’s like my best friend. It’s a great dog to have.” Funnily enough, however, Mahomes had to get over his fear of dogs as an adult. He said that he was scared of them “up until I was in high school, then I went straight to a pit bull.”
The world welcomes Silver to the Mahomes/Matthews family in 2019
On January 16, 2019, Patrick Mahomes was celebrating a fantastic playoffs run and an MVP award, but he also had other good news for Steel and the rest of the world. That day, Steel’s Instagram featured a post announcing that he would soon be sharing the account with a new friend. “Just my dad telling me HE WON MVP & that IM GONNA BE A BIG BROTHER,” the post read. The first picture was one of Patrick whispering into Steel’s ear, and the second was the adorable debut photo of his new little pal, Silver. Since then, with double the adorable, their Instagram has blown up, and fans have enjoyed pics of them donning Kansas City jerseys, Santa outfits, and even dressing up like Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
Right smack dab in the middle of playoffs season may seem like an inopportune time to take on a new responsibility like this, but they made the decision together. (Right.) “It was a joint decision,” said Mahomes, then added, “She definitely wanted it. I was trying to wait until the offseason, but she wanted to get it up here quickly.” They named the new puppy Silver, possibly to hide the real reason they named their other dog Steel. With the little pup named Silver, they can say that Steel is named for the color of his fur, but he was actually named after the Pittsburg Steelers.
Steel and Silver helped Patrick and Brittany reveal the gender of their baby
In October 2020, Patrick and Brittany stood before a wall of pink and blue balloons with the words “Boy or Girl” in big bright letters behind them. Then they had Steel and Silver help them break the news to the world. The dogs walked down a white carpet with their paws covered in pink paint. The pink prints they left on the runner told the world that it’s a girl.
Brittany posted the joyous occasion to her Instagram account, featuring a photo of her, Patrick, Steel, and Silver surrounded by the pink paw prints, with the text: “Can’t wait to be a family of 5 … #babygirl.” Patrick posted a video of the event to his Instagram with the text: “My [heart emoji].” The two look absolutely overjoyed to welcome the new addition to their family, playing with the canine kiddos and shooting off pink confetti canons.
We’re wondering just how excited Steel and Silver are about the news. They may be a little jealous because they didn’t post anything about the gender reveal on their Instagram. Hopefully, though, they don’t get too jealous. Mom has been posting lots of pics of her showing off her bump. However, we’re sure they’ll still get lots of attention from Mom and Dad. They’ll have to. Steel and Silver have thousands of adoring fans who are still going to want to get their fix of canine cuteness.
