Why the World Needs Patrick Mahomes Now

Maybe you get it, maybe you're over it, but nearly everyone is obsessed with Patrick Mahomes right now. Of course, here in Lubbock, we have been for quite some time, but the entire world needs Patrick Mahomes now.

After watching Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, I was devastated. I was deeply disenchanted with sports and football especially. The culture that created Aaron Hernandez is textbook toxic masculinity.

And yes, the culture is culpable. Hernandez was the product of abuse from his football star father. He had a severe traumatic brain injury (CTE) from the sport, and his lifestyle excess embodied all the worst aspects of American football life.

Of course, ultimately, we are all responsible for our own actions, but it's important to consider all the factors that lead to a person snapping so irreversibly. We must learn from it if only to save someone else from the same fate. Ultimately, three innocent people could still be alive had football not been a part of Aaron's life.

And then, in 2020, former Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes becomes the youngest QB to start and win a Super Bowl.

Mahomes, the MVP of positive masculinity. A good man who loves his fans. A good man who is humble, sweet, strong, skilled and loving. A good man who takes pictures with his fans, signs autographs and creates a charitable organization that helps kids. A good man who doesn't hide behind gang culture, greed for wealth, substance abuse or domestic violence. A good man. Period.

Patrick Mahomes became the salve on my wounded soul -- proof the universe can and will reward the best among us. That a sports hero could be worthy of that title, 'hero.'

So to Patrick: Thank you for making your college hometown so very proud. For something so much more important than even football. For being a wonderful human being who uses their hard-earned skills, infectious smile, and their beautiful personality to make the world a better place. May every little Mahomie grow up to be just like you.