As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Patrick Mahomes has once again captured attention, this time for his unconventional approach to holiday cuisine. The quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs is known for his fondness for ketchup, which has left some NFL fans feeling queasy. This year, the Chiefs will face the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, following a dramatic comeback by the Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles that has kept their playoff hopes alive at 5-5-1.
While families across the United States prepare to gather around their Thanksgiving tables, Mahomes is looking to deliver an impressive performance on the field. However, leading up to the game, his ketchup preference has sparked a wave of reactions from fans. In a recent commercial for Adidas, Mahomes sat in front of a turkey, stating, “Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. Return home. See family, and meet new friends.”
The situation took a turn when Mahomes, in the commercial, proceeded to drench a turkey leg in ketchup. His subsequent remark, “Thanksgiving is a time to eat,” only added fuel to the fire. Fans took to social media to express their dismay over his culinary choice. One user on X commented, “Just when I was starting to forgive him,” while another quipped, “Cowboys by 10.”
The backlash continued, with comments like, “This is just wrong,” and a playful jab about the Chiefs’ current 6-5 record: “This is why the Chiefs are 6-5 LMAOOOOO.” Mahomes, who co-owns a steakhouse with teammate Travis Kelce, has been open about his love for ketchup, even admitting to enjoying ketchup sandwiches during his childhood.
In a previous interview with Barstool Sports, he shared, “When I was younger, I used to eat ketchup sandwiches, just bread and ketchup. That is disgusting.” Reflecting on this past habit, he joked, “Maybe [that’s] why I can throw it [a football] far. That might have been the trick.”
Though Mahomes claims to have outgrown the sandwich phase, he still enjoys pairing ketchup with his steak, which has led to some awkward moments at upscale restaurants. “I’ve definitely been at a few nice restaurants where I’ve got the steak and asked for ketchup and the chef comes down and asks like, ‘What’s wrong?’”
As the Thanksgiving game approaches, all eyes will be on Mahomes—not only for his performance on the field but also for his unique culinary choices that continue to polarize fans. Will his ketchup-loving reputation affect the Chiefs’ game against the Cowboys? Only time will tell as both teams vie for a crucial win in their playoff pursuits.
