James Monson - Patrick Mahomes: NFL Sensation

STAR ATHLETES

PATRICK MAHOMES

NFL SENSATION

BY JAMES MONSON

Essential Library

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Published by Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55439. Copyright 2020 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International
copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in
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Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota.
042019
092019

Cover Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP Images
Interior Photos: Kevin Terrell/AP Images, 4, 8; Kelvin Kuo/AP Images, 7, 13, 71;
Victor Texcucano/Tyler Morning Telegraph/AP Images, 14, 20; Kathy Willens/AP
Images, 17; Jamie Lamor Thompson/Shutterstock Images, 22; Mo Khursheed/TFV
Media/AP Images, 24; Tori Eichberger/Zach Long/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal/
AP Images, 27; Jerod Foster/Icon Sportswire/AP Images, 29; Tim Warner/Cal
Sport Media/AP Images, 32; Zackary Brame/Icon Sportswire/AP Images, 35; Ken
Murray/Icon Sportswire/AP Images, 37; Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire/AP Images,
38; Sam Grenadier/Icon Sportswire/AP Images, 42; Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire/
AP Images, 44; David J. Phillip/AP Images, 48; Mark Rogers/Lubbock Avalanche
Journal/AP Images, 51; Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph/AP Images,
54; Ed Zurga/AP Images, 57, 76, 79; John Leyba/Denver Post/AP Images, 59; Orlin
Wagner/AP Images, 60; Paul Abell/AP Images, 63; Gene J. Puskar/AP Images, 64;
Michael Dwyer/AP Images, 69; Reed Hoffmann/AP Images, 74; Elise Amendola/AP
Images, 82; Perry Knotts/AP Images, 85; Greg Trott/AP Images, 86; Jeff Roberson/
AP Images, 88; David Tulis/UPI/Newscom, 90; Doug Benc/Old Spice/AP Images, 94;
Colin E. Braley/Dixie Ultra/AP Images, 97

Editor: Patrick Donnelly
Series Designer: Laura Graphenteen

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CONTROL NUMBER: 2018967348

PUBLISHERS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: Monson, James, author.

Title: Patrick Mahomes: NFL sensation / by James Monson

Other title: NFL sensation

Description: Minneapolis, Minnesota: Abdo Publishing, 2020 | Series: Star athletes |
Includes online resources and index.

Identifiers: ISBN 9781532119897 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781532174728 (ebook) | ISBN
9781644940969 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Quarterbacks (Football)--United States--Biography--Juvenile literature.
| Football players--United States--Biography--Juvenile literature. | Kansas
City Chiefs (Football team)--Juvenile literature. | Sports--Biography--Juvenile
literature.

Classification: DDC 796.3326409 [B]--dc23

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

PATIENCE
REWARDED

W

hen Patrick Mahomes took the field for
the Kansas City Chiefs on September 9,
2018, it was a landmark moment. Though it wasnt
his first game with the Chiefs, this day was special.

The Chiefs had selected Mahomes in the first
round of the 2017 National Football League (NFL)
Draft. But he spent his rookie season on the bench,
watching and learning and preparing for this day.
When Kansas City traded starting quarterback Alex
Smith in the off-season, it signaled that the team
was ready for Mahomes to take over.

His first test came on the road against the Los
Angeles Chargers. The Chargers were a division
rival that just missed the playoffs in 2017. Behind
veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers
could put up lots of points on offense. Pro Bowl
players Casey Hayward in the defensive backfield
and Joey Bosa on the line led a tough defense.

Patrick Mahomes made his 2018 debut against the Chargers
in Los Angeles.

It wouldnt be an easy opening game for Kansas City and
its young quarterback.

But the Chiefs had one thing in their favor. They were
the visiting team, but this was no typical road game. As
Mahomes and his teammates entered the StubHub Center
in Los Angeles, the players felt right at home. The Chargers
were playing only their second year in Los Angeles after
moving from San Diego. The team hadnt yet built much
fan support. This allowed opposing fans the chance to buy
tickets. Thousands of people wearing red and whitethe
Chiefs colorscame to the game. They were ready to
cheer on Kansas City and see what Mahomes could do as
the teams new starting quarterback.

GETTING STARTED

However, those fans would
have to wait. The Chiefs kicked
off to start the game. When the
defense stopped the Chargers
to force a punt, it appeared
Mahomess time had come.
Then Kansas Citys Tyreek Hill
returned the punt 91 yards for a
touchdown, forcing Mahomes

NOT A FIRST
IMPRESSION

Before taking the field against
the Chargers in September
2018, Mahomes had a chance to
experience NFL regular-season
action in 2017. With Kansas
City already qualified for
the playoffs, the Chiefs let
then starter Alex Smith rest,
allowing Mahomes to get
the start against the Denver
Broncos. Kansas City won the
December game 2724 as
Mahomes threw for 284 yards.

Mahomes used his feet in the first quarter to help the Chiefs get a
first down.

to wait even longer. By the time he finally took the field
with 9:20 left in the first quarter, it was already 73 Chiefs.

Mahomes entered the game to a large cheer from
the Chiefs fans. It didnt take long for him to show why
he was a top-10 draft pick. On his third play, the Chiefs
faced third-and-short. Mahomes dropped back to pass,

needing three yards for a first down to keep the drive
going. He searched for an open receiver, but the Chargers
had them all covered. Thats when Mahomes realized his
best chance to make the first down was to run. He tucked
the ball under his arm and found a hole on the right side