Make no mistake about it: Patrick Mahomes is the face of the NFL. The Tyler, Texas native is the son of Pat Mahomes, a former Major League Baseball player, and Randi Martin.
He burst onto the scene in 2018 when he made history by throwing 50 touchdown passes and 5,000 yards in a single season — a record he shares with Peyton Manning. He followed up his initial success by leading the Kansas City Chiefs to an incredible victory at Super Bowl LIV. If that wasn’t enough, he carried the team through to yet another Super Bowl the very next year, though they ended up losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mahomes has gone to two more Super Bowls since and he's won back-to-back titles (2023 and 2024).
Mahomes has been rewarded for his efforts when he scored one of the biggest, most lucrative deals in sports history by signing a contract extension worth $503 million. It’s not just his career that’s been flourishing beyond belief — the 25-year-old became engaged to his high school sweetheart Brittany Matthews on September 1, 2020, and the two welcomed a baby girl in 2021 and a baby boy in 2022.
And it's a family affair – as he's had success, we've seen his brother Jackson Mahomes alongside for the journey.
Do the Mahomes brothers have the same parents?
Yes! Patrick Mahomes' younger brother Jackson Mahomes was born in 2000 in Tyler, Texas. That makes the two about four and a half years apart. They grew up together in Texas with their parents.
An inside look at NFL star Patrick Mahomes' family
Patrick Mahomes’s life is a picture of humility, passion, work ethic, and stability. Yet, it’s worth keeping in mind that his early upbringing and family environment weren’t necessarily this balanced. Sacrifices had to be made, differences had to be set aside, and his loved ones had to put their heads down to refocus on the bigger picture. So let's dive into what we can learn about Patrick Mahomes’ parents.
Patrick Mahomes started in baseball like his father
Pat Mahomes Sr. used to be an MLB baseball pitcher from 1992 to 2003 and played for teams like Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs, among others. He played until he was 39 and was inducted into the Sioux Falls Canaries Hall of Fame in 2019.
I always tell [Patrick Jr.] before every game how proud I am of him and remind him of what my dad Johnny Mahomes used to tell me: Youll always be successful if you perform to the limits of your ability
Pat Mahomes I to The Shadow League
While interviewed by the Shadow League journal, Pat Sr said that even though he and his son ended up pursuing two different team sports, they were both inspired by “supportive fathers” and an “early burning passion for athletics.” He also shared that he used to take Pat Jr. to the ball field at the age of four and had him trail balls in the company of other baseball players. Young Patrick went on to become acquainted with the likes of A-Rod and Derek Jeter and therefore decided to give baseball a shot.
Though he changed course during high school, Patrick Jr. still incorporated his baseball knowledge into his football skillset. Moreover, he followed his idol, Derek Jeter, closely and learned what it’s like to work hard both on and off the pitch. Pat Sr. also said that his son is a bit of a “gym rat” in how he approaches his training regimen and physicality.
Patrick’s mom Randi talked him out of quitting football
While senior Mahomes has several anecdotes to share regarding his son’s devotion to football, Patrick’s mom Randi has spoken extensively about the quarterback’s shy personality and what it was like to raise him alongside his younger brother Jackson and sister Mia Randall.
Randi was a full-time mother to her two boys as they were growing up. And so, she was able to take a more hands-on role in their emerging careers. Presently, she works as a private events coordinator at Hollytree Country Club.
Before his junior year in high school he came to me that summer wanting to quit football, but I just said you're going to regret it if you quit.
Randi Martin to Fox4’s Kathy Quinn
Growing up, Patrick was an introverted kid, and according to Randi, “he never got excited” about traveling or going to venues like Disney World or Yankee Stadium. His true passion lay in sports, and he used to dedicate every fiber of his being to excelling in it.
Randi said that she knew from the get-go that her son could reach the highest pinnacle of football, even though he doubted himself as a teenager. Patrick even came to her before his junior year and asked if he could quit football, but she convinced him to keep chugging along.
Randi Martin Mahomes was a source of discipline
Randi wasn’t just her son’s pillar of support; she was also a source of discipline. She had to ground her son if he ever fell into a bit of trouble. Lastly, she taught her sons not just to be humble about their success but also to be polite and respectful to other kids. For example, she instructed Patrick to say ‘Hi’ every day to any kid that sat by themselves or seemed lonely.
I am proud of the football, but the family part of it–I’m way more proud and that`s something that I definitely don`t get enough of [...] I don`t think it`s really hit me because he’s still my son.
Randi Martin to Fox4’s Kathy Quinn
With his mother being White and his father Black, Patrick reckoned with a biracial identity growing up. During the George Floyd protests, Mahomes spoke up about his experiences and said that while he personally hasn’t been discriminated against due to his skin color or ethnicity, he condemns the “senseless murders” and hopes for a world where no one has to “experience these tragedies.”
Patrick’s parents divorced when he was 11, but they still remain “best friends”
Pat and Randi had gotten married at a young age. Their sons Patrick and Jackson were born in 1995 and 2000, respectively. In 2006, the parents decided to divorce, leaving their sons splitting their time between each parent’s home for the rest of their childhoods. Randi also welcomed another daughter Mia in 2011; the father’s identity has not been disclosed to the public.
The year following the divorce had been a challenging one for the Mahomes. Randi described this year as “the most difficult of [Patrick’s] life.” Eventually, Patrick started making friends through sports, becoming more outgoing by the time he was in high school. Even though the brothers primarily lived with their mom, Pat Sr. would always be “at school, at practice, at every game,” said LaTroy Hawkins, Patrick’s godfather and ex-MLB pitcher.
Pat and Randi continue to be on amicable terms and support their son the best way they can. They attend all the industry events alongside Patrick Jr. and even sit in the same suite for the Chiefs’ games. They reportedly call each other “best friends” even today.
Their unity and togetherness in the face of their fraught history demonstrate the true power of parenthood. Patrick Mahomes can’t solely be credited with his illustrious career. He’s likely got a cohesive support structure guiding his decision-making, helping him through the ups and downs, and keeping him grounded amidst the chaos and the widespread fame.
For me, being a black quarterback — having a black dad and a white mom — it just shows that it doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter if you’re a baseball player or basketball player, follow your dreams.
Patrick Mahomes to ESPN
Pat and Randi both recognized the immense talent demonstrated by their son. They knew that they had to overcome their differences to raise an athlete capable of taking the world on its shoulder and becoming a No.1 athlete in his position. Patrick’s fiance Brittany without a doubt, provides a considerable amount of support, encouragement, and guidance, but the parents have been nurturing his talent from day one.
In Summary: Never turn away from your loved ones
Patrick’s fortunate enough to have the loveliest parents inspiring each and every one of his moves — both on and off the pitch. We might not be as lucky as him to have both parents in the picture, but we’ll surely have people that love us and support us no matter what. We have to keep those loved ones in mind and ensure that we do everything we can to do right by them.
Parenthood is a continual struggle, but if you can prioritize your child time and again, you’re winning the battle. Your child’s wellbeing should be your biggest concern; everything else can be negotiated or compromised in favor of your child. Not that parents shouldn’t pursue their own dreams or interests — it means that all other problems become trivial by default. Pat and Randi Mahomes exemplify what it’s like to throw your differences away in order to stand behind and lift your son. If they can approach parenthood with such a bright attitude, it’s possible for just about anyone.
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woman in teal bikini jumping on water near green mountain during daytime
Leap Past Your Limits: What's on Your Adventure Bucket List?
I'm hurtling through the sky at maximum velocity. The wind is rushing by so quickly my cheeks flap. The feeling of free falling doesn't drop my stomach like I thought it would, but knowing I have nothing between me and the earth is terrifying and exhilarating. The skydiving instructor pulls the parachute and everything stills. We float serenely to the ground and after a graceful touchdown, I am sure of one thing: this is definitely the adventure I've been looking for.
If you're like me, you look at your life and think things are not that exciting. You stay in front of a desk most days, drive around a lot, and mostly just work for the weekend.
When was the last time you challenged yourself to a new experience? I know I needed to start checking things off my bucket list or I’d let the blood dry in my veins.
So, if you're looking for some inspiration for your own bucket list, here are some of the activities I tried and want to share with you.
Leap Past Your Limits: What's on Your Adventure Bucket List?
Jump out of an airplane
The thing that stuck with me about skydiving was my inability to control anything. Once I let go of that plane and dove into nothingness, I had no control. Whatever was going to happen was going to happen and I surrendered.
Skydiving is exhilarating, freeing, and pushes you to the farthest reaches of what you think your body can endure. It was a liberating experience unlike any I've experienced before.
Lori Steffen, who has won medals in USA skydiving championships, says, "knowing you met your fear, took control and pushed yourself to take that step flows over into other parts of your life." She says it's such a "stupendous sense of freedom."
While skydiving seems very dangerous, it's actually quite safe, with research showingthere were only 21 fatalities in 2015. That's out of 3.5 million jumps! With numbers like that, you're more likely to die by getting a bee sting, or struck by lightning.
So, if you're like me, and you're looking for something to get your adrenaline pumping or find a lesson in letting go, consider adding skydiving to your bucket list of adventures.
Get a tattoo
Bucket lists aren't all about being wild and crazy. If that's not your cup of tea, getting a tattoo might be the thing for you. We all have life experiences we want to commemorate.
Find something that brings you inspiration, a memory, or even something you just really like looking at, and take the leap. Bring a friend or a relative along to experience it with you.
Actress Lea Michele has said that getting a tattoo is almost a family event for her large, Italian family. She says when they gather, someone will suggest getting tattoos, and it ends up being a sentimental experience.
This is a memory you can revisit over and over as you'll be carrying it around on your skin for the rest of your life. Don't worry, it only hurts for a minute.
Go paintballing with your friends
This may sound tame next to skydiving, but when you're in the heat of battle and those colorful bullets are whizzing past your ears, it gets intense. With such a wide range of facilities and scenarios, it's easy to find one that's pretty realistic.
From fake towns to real-life military bases, you and your buddies can strategize and carry out your missions. Plus, it hurts when you get hit! Prepare yourself for the angry, red whelps you're going to receive, and the fun adventure you can add to your list.
You can even become a real-life Tomb Raider like Angelina Jolie and her family.
Try public speaking
I've read that the number one fear for Americans is public speaking. I bet this wouldn't be an issue if you could stand onstage and text your audience, but alas, that is not acceptable.
So, the fear remains. Why is it so scary? Is it because we care so much about what other people think of us? What if we make a mistake and look foolish? Well, now is the time to stand up to that fear and face it down once and for all.
Why should you let others' opinions of you keep you from doing something extraordinary? If you think you're funny, try your hand at a stand-up comedy open mic night and literally laugh in the face of fear. If you're more thoughtful, aim for a poetry jam or spoken word event at your local coffee shop. Either way, get creative, get motivated, and get up on that stage!
We all have a need for purpose in our lives. In the grand scheme of things, we are only on this earth for a short period of time, and I know I want mine to be full of life, and full of adventures that allow me to explore my senses to the max.
I want to do things that scare and thrill me, and that maybe even make me fail so I can grow. I want to be stretched and challenged and proven wrong.
Whether it's falling from the sky or speaking in front of strangers, I want to look back on my life and realize I never let fear keep me down.
A bucket list shouldn't be just one more thing you need to get done. It should be a challenge. It should be an adventure. So, step out into that void of nothingness and feel the exhilaration of the free-fall.