Patrick Mahomes’ love of ketchup takes a turn as the story goes viral

If someone had told Chiefs fans three months ago that Patrick Mahomes would set the franchise record for touchdown passes in just nine games and he’d be fielding ketchup questions at a news conference, which would have seemed more unlikely?

But Mahomes’ affinity for the condiment drew national attention on Thursday, a day after an ESPN feature story noted that he likes to put ketchup on almost everything he eats, including steak.

Chiefs fans weighed in on the topic, one NFL Network analyst said anyone who puts ketchup on steak is a “psychopath,” and Heinz Ketchup seized the opportunity at some free publicity.

Heinz said it was willing to set up Mahomes with a lifetime supply, but there was one catch: He’s got to set the NFL single-season record for touchdown passes this season.

Here is what Heinz tweeted Thursday: “Hey @patrickmahomes5, you give us 57 touchdowns, we’ll give you Heinz on your steak for life.”

The NFL record of 55 was set by Peyton Manning of the Broncos in 2013, so the 57 is undoubtedly a nice plug for one of Heinz’s sauces. Mahomes, by the way, is on pace for 55 TD passes this season.

At a news conference on Thursday, Mahomes was asked about Heinz’s deal and ketchup.

“I’m not opposed to it and I get ketchup for life,” he said, “I’ll be sure to share it with some of the offensive linemen.”

No word on if the Chiefs linemen are ketchup aficionados like Mahomes, who doubled down on his love of the condiment by saying he puts it on an all-American dish.

“I don’t think it’s that weird, but I put it on my macaroni and cheese,” Mahomes said. “People seem to think that’s a weird thing, some people think that’s disgusting, but it’s good to me.”

That drew another round of debate on social media and a surprisingly large number of people agreed with Mahomes’ mac and cheese and ketchup meal planning.

As for the ketchup-for-life proposal, one former Chiefs receiver believes Mahomes shouldn’t worry about getting to 57.

Boerigter tweeted: “The man won and threw for 6 TDs in the house that has your name on it. This should already be a done deal.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2018 at 10:24 AM.