Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to high-stakes moments, but even he wasn’t prepared for the heartbreak that unfolded during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.
While the superstar QB had just returned from a family vacation at Disneyland with wife Brittany Mahomes and their kids, his attention quickly turned to the hardwood-and the team he’s passionately followed: Duke.
Duke‘s matchup against the Houston Cougars was expected to be a classic, and for a while, it lived up to the hype.
Led by standout freshman Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils held a double-digit lead in the second half and seemed destined for a spot in the national championship.
But the Cougars launched an explosive comeback, erasing a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes to snatch a 70-67 victory.
As the game slipped away in the final moments, Mahomes couldn’t hold back. He took to social media with a one-word post that captured the sentiment of Duke fans across the country: “Crazy!!”
The loss was particularly stinging given Mahomes‘ long-standing admiration for the Duke program.
He’s previously received high praise from former Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski, who once said Mahomes had the court vision and athleticism to succeed as a top-tier point guard had he chosen basketball.
Dual heartbreak for Mahomes
Mahomes‘ basketball loyalty doesn’t end with Duke. His own alma mater, Texas Tech, also had a strong tournament run that came to a disappointing halt in the Elite Eight.
Just days before the loss, Mahomes had posted a message hyping up the Red Raiders following their win over Arkansas, writing on Instagram:
“You already know! @texastechmbb.”
Though that joy was short-lived, Mahomes remains one of the school’s biggest supporters. He’s not just a vocal fan-he’s a major benefactor. Before finalizing his NIL deal with Adidas, Mahomes donated $5 million to Texas Tech athletics.
That contribution was commemorated when his personal logo was added to the Red Raiders‘ uniforms-an emotional moment that Mahomes described as one of his most meaningful off-field accomplishments.
“Seeing my own logo on the Texas Tech uniform I put so much blood, sweat, and tears into is one of the most meaningful off-field accomplishments of my career,” he said.
Now, with both of his favorite college teams eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, Mahomes is left to reflect-and reload-as he prepares to return to the gridiron.
Still, his passion for college basketball and unwavering support for student-athletes is clear. Whether it’s Duke, Texas Tech, or any team that captures his loyalty, Mahomes proves once again he’s all heart-even when the scoreboard doesn’t cooperate.
