Patrick Mahomes backs Bengals signing former USFL champ
Patrick Mahomes has celebrated the Bengals' signing of Nate Brooks, a free-agent cornerback who has won the USFL. After the acquisition was reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs quarterback tweeted:
"Let’s go!!!"
Patrick Mahomes followed it with two flex emojis, showing how pumped he was about the whole thing.
It was a rare display of emotion from the Chiefs quarterback, especially considering this was another player joining an opposition team, but it was definitely merited given their history together.
Why is Patrick Mahomes celebrating Bengals signing a USFL player?
Patrick Mahomes will necessarily be rooting against the Bengals this season. They are both in the AFC and if the Chiefs are to win the Super Bowl an unprecedented third time on the bounce, they cannot have Cincinnati coming to the party. The Kansas City quarterback doesn't have any special affinity to the USFL or the succeeding spring league UFL either.
Nate Brooks didn't ever play for the Chiefs, even though he has featured for a lot of teams in the NFL, nor did the two players go to college together. But the reason Patrick Mahomes is pulling for him is that they are both from Tyler, Texas, and just a year apart in age. Both went to Whitehouse High School and would have known each other from their football exploits.
The Kansas City star is rooting for a local boy who stretches back all the way to his hometown and who's unblemished by any NFL or college loyalties. The Bengals, too, should be pumped that they are getting a player who has experience winning professional football championships.
Nate Brooks won the 2023 USFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions. He followed that up in the UFL with a selection to the 2024 All-UFL team as a Michigan Panthers player. The cornerback has been consistent in the lesser league but has failed to hold a consistent roster spot in the NFL.
That's not a knock on him, though, as becoming a professional footballer at the highest level is a dream only a few can achieve. But he will know that when he steps into training camp, the biggest star in the NFL will be rooting for him to succeed even though he will be playing for a team that is their AFC competitor.
Being endorsed by Patrick Mahomes is a privilege that only a chosen few will ever know.