How Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes avoided injury vs. Ravens: ‘I hate doing all that stuff’
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be healthy for Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.
And he knows that he might have his trainer to thank for that.
Early in the fourth quarter of last week’s AFC Championship Game win, Mahomes took a shot from Baltimore Ravens 305-pound defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who dove at Mahomes’ ankles after defeating an initial block.
Instead of taking the full hit, Mahomes spun off the contact, whirling around and stumbling forward before Jadeveon Clowney wrapped him up.
The exchange led Mahomes’ personal trainer, Bobby Stroupe, to later post a social-media video showing Mahomes working on bent-over-backward movements during a training session — motions similar to what the QB twisted into Sunday.
Stroupe’s caption: “You are what you repeatedly DO.”
“I think he showed that for everybody, but that was really directed towards me, because I hate doing all that stuff (in workouts),” Mahomes said Thursday with a smile. “And every time he does it, I’m like, ‘Why am I doing this stretch right now?’ and everything like that. And then he gets an opportunity like that where he shows me. He’s like, ‘See, this is why we do it.’”
Mahomes laughed Thursday, saying his least-favorite stretch might now become “a staple in every workout I do” because of its effectiveness in preventing injury Sunday.
In all seriousness, however, Mahomes was thankful Stroupe had him ready for a moment that might’ve been damaging for a different quarterback.
“We try to prepare for everything, and he’s done a great job of adapting and learning from stuff that I’ve done in my career, and preparing me for those moments to try to keep myself healthy as I possibly can,” Mahomes said. “They always say the best ability is availability, and you want to be out there.”
Mahomes has been remarkably durable during his six seasons as a starter, only missing two games for injury. Those came in 2019 after he famously dislocated his kneecap during a QB sneak at Denver.
The Chiefs quarterback also quickly recovered from a high-ankle sprain last year while leading KC to a win in Super Bowl LVII.
Mahomes credited Stroupe for often convincing him to complete exercises he didn’t always want to do.
“I know he wants the best for me, so I do it. But there’s definitely some times where I’m like, ‘Man, we’re on two hours of working out. Let me go upstairs and just hang out,’” Mahomes said. “He pushes me every single day.”
Mahomes certainly could be experiencing the benefits of that now.
He’ll be at full strength for the NFL’s biggest game on Feb. 11, when the Chiefs will attempt to win a second consecutive championship.
“We want to try to play our best football in the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said, “and that’s what we’re gonna try to do.”
This story was originally published February 2, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
