Patrick Mahomes opened up about the emotional impact of dad Pat Mahomes Sr.‘s DWI arrest ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl.
The scandal was discussed during the third episode of ESPN’s The Kingdom, which aired Wednesday, August 20. The quarterback, 29, candidly discussed how his father’s third DWI charge took a toll on his mindset before the Kansas City Chiefs took on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
“It became a story, and so, I had to answer questions about it,” Patrick recalled. “I think just knowing that it hurt me woke him up to know that like, you can’t keep doing the same things.”
Pat Sr. was equally affected by the public nature of his arrest. “For [my son] to have to answer questions about me was probably the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever been through in my life,” the 55-year-old admitted.
The former MLB athlete said he took accountability for how his actions reflected on his family. “I called [Patrick] right after and I told him, I said, ‘I’m sorry that it’s taking away from your time and taking away from your focus,’” he added.
According to Brittany Mahomes, the incident “finally” made Pat Sr. realize that his kids and grandkids “are watching.” (Brittany, 29, and Patrick share Sterling, 3, Bronze, 2, and Golden, 7 months.)
Pat Sr. admitted that he “never really thought” he had any issues when it came to drinking. “It was just something that I’ve always done, just something that’s in the game. I went out, partied a little bit, wasn’t always where I was supposed to be,” he said, noting that he took advantage of his “fair share” of “privileges” in the sports world.
In February 2024, one week before the Super Bowl, Us Weekly confirmed Pat Sr. was arrested in Tyler, Texas, on charges pertaining to a DWI. He was released within hours after posting $10,000 bond.
Months later, police footage obtained by TMZ showed Pat Sr. allegedly pleading with police to not charge him. “My son is getting ready to play in the f***ing Super Bowl,” he said in the video published in October 2024. “I am not drunk, I promise you. I’ve had some drinks, but he can’t have this right now. This can’t happen.”
Pat Sr. then offered to “have somebody come get” him and drive him home, reiterating that he wasn’t drunk. “Dude, seriously? We don’t have stars from around here. I’m very, very knowledgeable and capable,” he said. “Dude, I can get somebody to drive me, but we can’t have this.”
In August 2024, Pat Sr. pleaded guilty to his DWI felony charge. He served a 10-day sentence in county jail that fall.
As the drama unfolded before the 2024 Super Bowl, Patrick briefly addressed his dad’s arrest in a press conference.
“He’s doing good. I don’t really want to get into it too much, but he’s doing good for whatever the situation is,” he told reporters at the time. “It’s a family matter, so I will just keep it to the family. That’s all I really have to say at this point.”
The Kingdom is available to stream on ESPN+.
