While discussing the Kansas City Chiefs’ remarkable success in recent years, Patrick Mahomes’ arm strength, improvisational brilliance, and clutch performances are often highlighted. However, those who have shared the huddle with him, like former Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill, emphasize a not-so-often spoken about aspect of the star quarterback.
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Hill has highlighted on many occasions that Mahomes’ leadership and ability to lift his teammates are just as critical to the team’s dominance. Now a Miami Dolphin but long a prolific playmaker in Kansas City, the Cheetah still cherishes the strong connection he shared with the star quarterback during their time as teammates from 2017 to 2021.
In a recent interview with Kay Adams, he emphasized it once again, exuding respect as always. He also described how Mahomes “uplifts” those around him.
“I have so much respect for Pat, man, because [of] the way that he approaches the game, you know, for his teammates, you know, I’m saying like it’s always a moment in the game where football is a hard sport to play. Like we all go through adversity, but him being a leader,” said Hill.
“Whenever I was in Kansas City, he did a tremendous job of uplifting his guys, holding his guys accountable, and making sure that guys are, you know, ‘If you’re not ready to play, then get your a** off the field’. And that’s what I love about Pat. He’ll never shy away from that,” added the star WR.
Hill once recalled a time when Mahomes’ leadership was on full display. He detailed how the quarterback delivered a fiery speech and called out the team’s entire offensive unit.
It was a Tuesday, a memorable one for Hill. Mahomes summoned his receivers, including stars like Hill and Travis Kelce, and pointedly demanded more from each of them. “He cussed all of us out. Like, me and Pat, we go back and forth,” Hill had said on the Pivot Podcast.
“But that was a moment right there where he stood on business, and it was like, ‘Bro, I really respect this,’ because he really just called out all his weapons individually, pointed us out, looked us in the eyes, and said, ‘Bro? Reek? You think you’re so fast, but you can’t catch the ball. You want to be the best receiver in the game?’ And he was letting me have it,” he added.
Hill acknowledged that hearing Mahomes’ blunt remarks was tough, but he understood they were exactly what the team needed at the time.
Under Mahomes’ leadership, the Chiefs have achieved extraordinary feats. They are now a legacy franchise with multiple Super Bowl appearances and wins, matching or exceeding decades of organizational history and landmarks of other teams in just a few years.
