While Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce may have faced challenges on the football field recently, they have also been confronting a disturbing off-field threat to their safety. This alarming situation, which emerged in 2024, has now taken a surprising legal turn that raises questions about free speech and online behavior.
Defendant Seeks Dismissal Citing Constitutional Rights
The man accused of threatening the Kansas City Chiefs stars, identified as Aaron P. Brown from Winchester, Illinois, has filed a formal motion in court seeking to have the serious charges against him dismissed. According to court documents reported by Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star, Brown's legal team argues that the charges violate his First Amendment rights to free speech and his constitutional right to due process.
In the motion to dismiss, Brown's attorneys contend that their client did not make "real threats" against the NFL players and that the prosecution represents an overreach that infringes upon protected speech. This legal maneuver represents a significant development in a case that has captured attention beyond the sports world.
Origins of the Controversial Threat
The incident traces back to August 2024, when Mahomes and Kelce were scheduled to attend a Morgan Wallen concert at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Law enforcement officials monitoring online activity related to the event discovered a concerning post on the social media platform X that specifically targeted the two athletes.
The message, posted from an account named "Gooey Bag," contained explicit language and stated: "Mr. Wallen at Arrowhead with the wife. If he brings out Mahomes or Kelce I'll take the (freakin) shot. (Expletive) em. Also (expletive) you (expletive) @taylorswift13"
This threatening content prompted Kansas City authorities to contact X for additional information about the account holder. After confirming Brown's identity through their investigation, law enforcement made an arrest in connection with the post.
Aftermath and Changing Narratives
In the months following his arrest, Aaron P. Brown has reportedly described his actions as a "stupid, stupid mistake" on multiple occasions. According to statements from his girlfriend, Brown made the controversial social media post while traveling from Lake of the Ozarks to Kansas City for the concert.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations and the subsequent legal proceedings, both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have maintained their distance from the developing situation. Neither athlete has issued any public statements regarding the threat or the ongoing court case, choosing instead to focus on their professional responsibilities and personal lives.
This case highlights the complex intersection of professional sports, social media behavior, and legal interpretation of threatening language. As the motion to dismiss works its way through the judicial system, it raises important questions about how online speech is evaluated and what constitutes a genuine threat versus protected expression in the digital age.
