Patrick Mahomes may be Kansas City's knight in shining armor, coach Andy Reid's newest prodigy, the NFL's golden boy, etc. In his first season as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, he has shattered records, created new ones and left all of us in awe of his strength, stamina and play-calling ability.
He's flawless, right? Well, on the field — yes. But, when it comes to his food takes...that's another discussion.
On Thursday, it came to light that Mahomes likes ketchup on his steak.
The news sent social media into a frenzy, and left the 23-year-old stunned at the reaction.
“Yeah, it’s crazy — social media can blow anything up,” Mahomes said, via Yahoo Sports. “I’m a big ketchup fan, I’ve always been, a little bit more when I was younger.
“I don’t think it’s that weird, but I put it on my macaroni and cheese. People seem to think that’s a weird thing, some people think that’s disgusting, but it’s good to me.”
His love for ketchup was first exposed in an ESPN profile by Seth Wickersham, and his obsession with the tomato-based condiment grew so much he would receive bottles of it for his birthday.
The other day, in Mahomes' apartment in the Country Club Plaza neighborhood of Kansas City, his grandfather asked him, "What's it like to be famous?" For one thing, it means he eats less ketchup. He spent most of his life putting ketchup on everything. He would get bottles of it for his birthday. But now that everyone is watching every move he makes, he is sheepish about ordering ketchup. At a restaurant recently, his mom, Randi, recognized an unfilled desire as he dove into a steak. "Just ask for it," Randi said. "I know you want it." Patrick wouldn't. So she asked for the ketchup and slipped it to him.
But, family and friends aren't the only ones willing to gift Mahomes a bottle. Heinz Ketchup is offering the QB the condiment for life — on one condition — he throws 57 touchdowns.
Hey @patrickmahomes5, you give us 57 touchdowns, we’ll give you Heinz on your steak for life. https://t.co/UeZdmMZUnv
— Heinz Ketchup (@HeinzKetchup_US) November 15, 2018
He's already recorded 31 scores through 10 games, and according to ESPN, is projected to finish the season with 50 — five short of Peyton Manning's single-season record of 55 touchdowns set in 2013, and two shy of the ketchup-for-life mark.
Mahomes isn't turning down the offer, but if he reaches the record-breaking mark he's willing to share.
“I’m not opposed to it,” Mahomes said. “If it happens and I get ketchup for life, I’ll be sure to share it with some of the offensive linemen.”