Patrick Mahomes is receiving messages of support from a few special people ahead of his return to the football field. On Monday, Sept. 14, The Players’ Tribune posted a video ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s return to the field after he tore his ACL during the 2025 season. During the video, Mahomes’ two older kids, Sterling Skye, 5, and Patrick “Bronze” Lavon III, 3, could be heard telling their dad how much they loved him in audio messages shared with the outlet.
“Hello daddy!” one said. “Daddy, I love you. I’m so happy that you get to go back to playing football.” Another told him in the message: “We’re so happy that you get to play football again, and we get to watch you. You’re the best daddy in the world”. The clip ended with a chorus of “I love you so much” from both kids.
It was a tender moment that captured something beyond football: the quiet, personal encouragement that has accompanied one of the most demanding recoveries of Mahomes’ career.
Patrick Mahomes’ Kids Had a Special Message for Their Dad
The audio messages, shared by The Players’ Tribune on social media, offered a rare glimpse into the Mahomes household dynamic at a moment when the family’s focus has been fixed on Patrick’s rehabilitation. Sterling and Bronze, the couple’s two older children, recorded the messages alongside their mother, Brittany Mahomes, who helped coordinate the video.
The timing of the messages carried particular weight. Mahomes had spent nearly nine months working through rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, and the return to game action represented the culmination of that effort. Hearing his children express their excitement and pride added an emotional layer to a comeback that had been defined by grueling physical work.
The messages were simple and direct—the kind of unguarded affection that only young children can offer. There was no discussion of game plans or playoff implications, just a father being told he was loved and that his kids were happy to see him back on the field.
Why His Kids’ Support Means So Much to Patrick Mahomes
Professional athletes navigating long injury recoveries face challenges that extend beyond the physical. The rehabilitation process can be isolating, repetitive, and mentally taxing, particularly for a quarterback whose identity is tied to his ability to perform on the field.
For Mahomes, the recovery involved at least seven hours a day at the Chiefs’ training facility during much of the offseason, according to ESPN’s detailed report on his rehabilitation. The work was methodical—range-of-motion measurements, core strengthening, and eventually running, jumping, and cutting tests that would determine whether he could return to football activities.
In that context, the support of his children appears to have offered something that no training program could provide: a reminder of why the work mattered beyond wins and losses. The messages from Sterling and Bronze weren’t about football performance or expectations. They were about their dad being their dad.
Mahomes has spoken before about how fatherhood has shaped his perspective. The birth of his third child, Golden Raye, in January 2025 came during the Chiefs’ postseason run, and he described the experience of balancing playoff football with the arrival of a newborn as part of the rhythm of his life. That ability to compartmentalize—to be fully present in both his professional and personal roles—has been a consistent theme.
Patrick Mahomes’ Injury and Road Back to Football
The injury that sidelined Mahomes occurred in Week 15 of the 2025 season, during a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. As he attempted to evade a defender, his left leg was caught in the turf, and his knee hyperextended. The result was a torn ACL and LCL—two of the knee’s primary stabilizing ligaments.
Mahomes underwent surgery on December 15, 2025, one day after the injury. Doctors avoided damage to the artery, nerve, joint surface, and meniscus, giving Mahomes a more favorable starting point for recovery. Optimistic estimates suggested a return timeline of approximately nine months, while more conservative projections extended to a full year.
Mahomes began rehabilitation less than 24 hours after surgery. Working with Chiefs assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer and longtime personal trainer Bobby Stroupe, he progressed through a carefully structured program that addressed not only his knee but his entire body. Stroupe designed a six-tiered core progression program to ensure that as Mahomes’ knee strengthened, other areas didn’t compensate in ways that could create new problems.
By late May, Mahomes had been cleared to participate in organized team activities, where he completed seven-on-seven drills and all dropbacks within the Chiefs’ offense. He was held out of full team periods as a precaution. On July 22, after completing a series of running, jumping, and cutting tests, he was cleared for all football activities during training camp.
Mahomes never missed a practice or an 11-on-11 rep during camp. The Chiefs held him out of preseason games to reduce risk, but by the time the regular season approached, he had no injury designation and was cleared to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.
Mahomes’ Return Is a Major Moment for the Chiefs
The Chiefs enter the 2026 season with something to prove after finishing 6-11 in 2025 and missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Mahomes’ absence for the final weeks of that season was a significant factor in the team’s struggles.
His return restores the most important piece of Kansas City’s offense. Mahomes has been the Chiefs’ starting quarterback since 2018 and has led the team to five Super Bowl appearances and three championships. His ability to extend plays, create opportunities outside the pocket, and deliver in critical moments has defined the Chiefs’ offensive identity.
Coach Andy Reid has spoken about how Mahomes’ presence allows the offense to operate with greater flexibility. “It gives you an opportunity to open things up a little bit,” Reid told Sky Sports. “Within reason. Still got to execute, and so there’s some red lights there that you got to stop at, but it sure allows you to have a long, long green light”.
The Chiefs also added running back Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, to reduce the burden on Mahomes and provide a more balanced offensive attack. The combination of a healthy Mahomes and an improved supporting cast has generated optimism about a rebound season.
Patrick Mahomes and His Family Life
Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, have been together since high school and married in March 2022. Brittany has been a consistent presence throughout his career, and their family has grown to include three children.
Sterling Skye Mahomes, born February 20, 2021, is the couple’s oldest child. She has been a familiar face at Chiefs games and celebrations, often joining her parents on the field after victories. Bronze, born November 28, 2022, is the couple’s son, whose nickname reflects his full name: Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III. The couple welcomed their youngest child, Golden Raye Mahomes, on January 12, 2025.
The family’s presence at games and public events has become a regular part of the Mahomes story. But the audio messages shared before Monday night’s game offered something different—a private moment made public, showing the emotional support that exists behind the scenes of a high-profile athletic career.
Patrick Mahomes’ Kids Have Been Part of His Journey
Mahomes has spoken about fatherhood in various contexts over the years, often emphasizing how his children have helped him maintain perspective. The arrival of Golden Raye during the 2025 playoffs was a particularly memorable example. Brittany went into labor before the Chiefs’ Divisional Round game, and because the team had a first-round bye, Mahomes was able to be present for the birth without missing a game.
“That’s what you work for,” Mahomes said at the time, reflecting on the balance between football and family.
The children’s involvement in his recovery has been less visible but no less meaningful. Their messages before Monday’s game were a reminder that for all the analysis and expectations that surround Mahomes’ return, the people closest to him were simply happy to see him doing what he loves.
What Patrick Mahomes’ Return Could Mean for the Chiefs
From a football perspective, Mahomes’ return restores Kansas City’s most important asset. His presence affects every aspect of the offense, from protection schemes to play-calling to the confidence of his teammates.
Coach Reid has emphasized that the team will manage Mahomes’ workload carefully, particularly early in the season. The “traffic light” system Reid described to Sky Sports reflects a pragmatic approach: Mahomes has the freedom to create and extend plays, but within certain boundaries designed to protect him.
The Chiefs’ Week 1 opponent, the Denver Broncos, presents a significant test. Denver swept Kansas City in 2025 and features a defense that led the league with 68 sacks. The Broncos also have their own quarterback returning from injury, with Bo Nix coming back from an ankle issue.
How Mahomes performs in his first game back will be closely watched, but the Chiefs have been clear that their priority is his long-term health and effectiveness, not just his availability for one game.
Fans React to Patrick Mahomes’ Family Story
Fans and NFL followers have responded warmly to the family moment. The video shared by The Players’ Tribune quickly circulated among Chiefs supporters and NFL fans, many of whom have followed Mahomes’ recovery journey since his injury in December.
The reaction reflects something that resonates beyond football: the image of a father receiving encouragement from his young children before a major professional moment. It’s a human story that exists alongside the analysis and predictions that typically dominate NFL coverage.
Patrick Mahomes Kids: What We Know
Sterling Mahomes
Sterling Skye Mahomes is the oldest child of Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. Born on February 20, 2021, she has grown up in the public eye as her father’s career has reached its peak. She is five years old and has been a regular presence at Chiefs games.
Bronze Mahomes
Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III is the couple’s second child, born on November 28, 2022. The nickname “Bronze” was chosen to connect with his sister’s name, Sterling, and to provide a unique alternative to the traditional “Trey” for a third-generation Patrick. He is three years old.
Brittany Mahomes
Brittany Mahomes is Patrick’s wife and the mother of their three children. The couple met in high school and married in 2022. She has been a consistent source of support throughout his career and often shares glimpses of their family life on social media.
Why Family Stories Resonate With NFL Fans
There’s a reason moments like this attract attention beyond the typical football audience. Professional athletes are often viewed through the lens of their performance—statistics, wins, contracts, and injuries. Family stories offer a different perspective, one that emphasizes the person behind the player.
For Mahomes, the contrast is particularly striking. On the field, he is a three-time Super Bowl MVP and one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. At home, he is a father whose children recorded simple, loving messages for him before a big game. Both identities are real, and the intersection of the two creates a story that feels accessible even to people who don’t follow football closely.
The NFL has increasingly embraced these human-interest narratives, recognizing that fans connect not just with teams and players but with the personal journeys that shape them. Mahomes’ recovery from injury, combined with the support of his family, fits naturally into that framework.
What Happens Next for Patrick Mahomes?
Mahomes is expected to start Monday night’s season opener against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have not indicated any limitations on his participation, and he was a full participant in practice throughout the week leading up to the game.
Beyond Week 1, the Chiefs will continue to monitor Mahomes’ knee and manage his workload as needed. The team has emphasized that his long-term health remains the priority, even as they compete for a playoff position in a challenging AFC West division.
Mahomes himself has spoken about wanting to become a more efficient quarterback, relying less on scrambling and more on quick decisions and pocket navigation. The injury, while difficult, may have provided an opportunity to refine aspects of his game that could extend his career and improve his performance.
For now, the focus is on Monday night—and on the messages from two young children that reminded everyone why this return matters beyond the standings.
FAQs
Who are Patrick Mahomes’ children?
Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany have three children: Sterling Skye Mahomes, born February 20, 2021; Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III, born November 28, 2022; and Golden Raye Mahomes, born January 12, 2025.
What did Patrick Mahomes’ kids say to him?
In audio messages shared by The Players’ Tribune, Sterling and Bronze told their father they loved him and were happy he could return to playing football. One message said, “You’re the best daddy in the world”.
Why is Patrick Mahomes returning to football after an injury?
Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in Week 15 of the 2025 season and underwent surgery on December 15, 2025. After nearly nine months of rehabilitation, he was cleared to return for the Chiefs’ 2026 season opener.
What injury did Patrick Mahomes suffer?
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in December 2025. The injury required surgery and ended his 2025 season.
When is Patrick Mahomes expected to return?
Mahomes is expected to start for the Kansas City Chiefs in their Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on Monday night, September 14, 2026.
Is Patrick Mahomes fully healthy?
Mahomes was cleared for all football activities during training camp and has no injury designation for Week 1. However, the Chiefs have indicated they will manage his workload carefully, and his performance level after a major knee injury remains to be seen in game conditions.
Who is Patrick Mahomes married to?
Patrick Mahomes is married to Brittany Mahomes. The couple married in 2022 and have three children together.
How old are Patrick Mahomes’ children?
Sterling is five years old, Bronze is three years old, and Golden Raye is one year old (born January 2025).
What team does Patrick Mahomes play for?
Patrick Mahomes plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. He has been the team’s starting quarterback since 2018.
Why is Patrick Mahomes’ return important to the Chiefs?
Mahomes is the Chiefs’ franchise quarterback and has led the team to three Super Bowl championships. His return restores the team’s most important offensive player after a 2025 season in which they finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs.
Conclusion
Patrick Mahomes’ return to football is a significant moment for the Kansas City Chiefs and for the NFL. But the audio messages from his children offered a reminder that the story is also deeply personal.