Patrick Mahomes and Jason Kelce have more in common than just football and Travis Kelce. The two NFL players are both proud papas of multiple kids, and fans are going crazy over a certain aspect of dad life that the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles starters share.
The Context
On Tuesday’s episode of Inside the NFL, the Chiefs’ head coach, Andy Reid, addressed the team in their locker room after their victory over the Baltimore Ravens, which secured their spot in Super Bowl LVIII. Mahomes spoke to his teammates after Reid’s remarks, telling the players, “Great job today. Like I’ve been saying, we ain’t done yet.”
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 12: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) embrace after Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 12th, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Photo by Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.
Mahomes happened to be shirtless during their debrief, with his “dad bod” — a huskier build often characterized by a softer midsection versus an ultra-chiseled and defined torso — on display, and he had some big feelings about the resulting virality of the footage.
The Reaction
The Super Bowl-winning quarterback tweeted, “Yoooo why they have to do me like that!?!?!? 🤣🤣🤣 #DadBodSZN.” He immediately quote-tweeted his first post, adding, “Like I got kids!!!! @Chiefs @insidetheNFL @NFL 🤣🤣🤣”
While some rather troll-esque X (formerly Twitter) users did shame Mahomes for his less-defined build and its speculated effects on his athletic performance — like he’s not one of the best NFL players in the league at the moment, but go off Steve — most fans celebrated his dad bod. In fact, many people went as far as comparing his “father figure” to Jason Kelce’s recent spectacularly-shirtless spectacle.
ORCHARD PARK, NY – JANUARY 21: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after the Kansas City Chiefs score a touchdown during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images.
“You and @JasonKelce doing more for dad bods than anyone in history. Doing the lord’s work,” one X user tweeted. Another posted a photo of the Eagles center’s viral antics in the stands at the Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills game in January, quipping, “I see no differences.”
Others encouraged the dad of two not to be self-conscious of his body, with one fan gushing, “We love the @JasonKelce & your dad bod! Embrace it!!!!” More NFL aficionados compared Patrick to another legendary quarterback. Attaching a photo of Tom Brady’s undefined torso during his days spent winning Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, a fan pointed out, “This was Brady’s peak body too. Don’t worry man.”
More kind and uplifting individuals joked that the quarterback‘s build is actually providing “extra rib protection.”
“Need to be a lil thick around the waist to absorb those hits right 🤣🤣 it’s all intentional,” someone tweeted. Another person wrote, “God wasn’t about to give you GOAT football skills AND a perfect body.” Validating their point, someone else replied, “You can have a dad bod when you got the golden arm.”
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Brittney Mahomes pose with their children, Sterling, 1, and Bronze, 11 weeks old, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park on February 13, 2023, in Anaheim, California. Photo by Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images.
The Love
The playful and positive messages far outshined any criticism. Another fan jokingly replied, “That’s a body of a champion right there!! 🐐 But i hear ya, eating off those kid plates will get ya! 🤣.” Others encouraged the professional athlete not to stress over his body aesthetic because, after all, he’s a professional athlete of the highest caliber.
“You’re more active than 90% of dads for sure. You earned the working dad bod!” wrote a supporter. One X user pointed out the amount of love people were sending Patrick’s way in response to his insecurity, thoughtfully writing, “You’ve encountered some playful banter about the dad bod phenomenon! Embrace the vibes and rock that dad bod with pride.”
When you’re well on your way to another Super Bowl victory, it’s a given that you’ve got one hell of a body to get there — regardless of what it looks like or how it’s perceived by society’s aesthetic standards. We, for one, can’t wait to see Patrick’s dad bod in action on the football field next weekend!
