Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended his sympathy to a Kansas City media member after the “unexpected” death of his father.
“Praying for your family man,” Mahomes, 30, wrote via direct message to reporter Tucker Franklin, who shared the interaction via X on Sunday, September 6. “Chiefs and chiefskingdom is with you! 🙏🏽”
In response to the DM, Franklin, 28, told his followers, “I think it’s easy to wonder if the quarterback of your favorite team is actually a good guy.”
“We don’t have to wonder about that in KC ❤️,” he added.
Tucker, who covers the Chiefs for KC Sports Network, announced the death of his father, Doug, on August 31. He was 55.
“My dad, Doug Franklin, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away,” Tucker shared via X. “He was a great father, phenomenal husband, and an amazing man. The only thing he loved more than the Kansas City Royals was his family. He will be greatly missed.”
The journalist added, “It’s easy in times like these to be upset by all the things you didn’t get to experience. I’m crushed and devastated. Life is not fair but in these unfair moments, I’m choosing to be thankful for the 28 years I had with a man I was honored to call my father. Though, it should’ve been more. Thank you, Dad.”
Tucker was responsible for authoring his late father’s obituary, which he called “the hardest writing assignment of my life.”
“He was an advocate for teachers, having served on the Trenton R-IX School Board for six years, including the last three as president,” Tucker wrote about his dad. “On top of that, Doug worked as an adjunct professor for North Central Missouri College, teaching world religion and fire science.”
The obituary added, “He loved doing life together. He believed the church was the people. He gathered to camp, sit down at a table, and celebrate regardless of any inconvenience to himself. He showed up for people. He was not perfect and wasn’t afraid of it. His selfless nature was evident to everyone he came across.”
Tucker said he was “blown away by all the responses” after revealing his father’s death.
“I can never thank each and every one of you for reaching out, no matter our relationship,” he shared via X on September 1. “I’m overwhelmed. Thank you ❤️.”
Tucker returned to work on Monday, September 7, cohosting KC Sports Network’s “That Football Show,” which opened with a message about his late dad.
“In these times, it’s good to be together,” he said. “It’s great to see all the support … that I have had, that my family has had, from people that I’ve never met.”
Tucker continued, “That’s been really touching, really moving. I just want to say thank you.”
