Even while sidelined with a knee injury and watching his Kansas City Chiefs team eliminated from playoff contention, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes remained a keen observer of the NFL landscape. His presence was felt not on the field, but through his vocal appreciation for historic achievements across the league during the final week of the season.
Mahomes Lauds Myles Garrett's Historic Sack Feat
The Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback took to social media platform X to publicly congratulate Cleveland Browns defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett for a monumental accomplishment. Garrett had just broken the NFL's single-season sack record in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The record-breaking moment was the culmination of a relentless season-long pursuit. After coming close in previous weeks against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, Garrett and the Browns' defense were determined against the Bengals. Lining up across the defensive front and applying constant pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow from various angles, Garrett's persistence paid off late in the fourth quarter.
He beat left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., closed in on Burrow, and secured his 23rd sack of the season. This play officially pushed him past the previous record of 22.5 sacks, which was jointly held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. The achievement was celebrated with an eruption from the crowd at Paycor Stadium, perfectly capping the Browns' 20-18 victory.
An ecstatic Mahomes did not hesitate to acknowledge the feat, writing, "Congrats! @Flash_Garrett" on X. Garrett graciously replied, "Thank you Brotha." Mahomes was not alone in his praise; Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons called Garrett "legendary," while Texas A&M Football proudly declared him the new sack king.
Celebrating Home Turf: Travis Kelce's 13,000 Yards
Mahomes later turned his celebratory attention closer to home. While watching the Chiefs face the Las Vegas Raiders, he marked a significant milestone achieved by his longtime teammate, tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce reached the prestigious mark of 13,000 career receiving yards during the game.
The quarterback succinctly celebrated this achievement on X as well, posting "13K!" to honour Kelce's consistent excellence and place in NFL history.
A Sideline Cheerleader for Greatness
Though unable to play due to his injury, Patrick Mahomes demonstrated that his passion for the game and respect for exceptional performance extends far beyond his own team's fortunes. He made a conscious effort to recognise and appreciate greatness on the field, irrespective of its source.
His actions during the season's final week highlighted his role as a student and fan of the sport, celebrating defensive dominance with Garrett and offensive longevity with Kelce, proving his engagement with the NFL remains all-encompassing even from the sidelines.
