Bills’ Josh Allen says his relationship with Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes defies expectations
The Kansas City Chiefs played the Buffalo Bills three times in a 365-day span ending with the AFC Divisional playoff game on Jan. 23, and the games played out like acts in a play.
Each team dominated one game then they played one of the greatest contests in NFL history.
- The Chiefs coasted past the Bills 38-24 in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2021
- Buffalo routed KC 38-20 in a Week 5 game on Oct. 10, 2021
- The Chiefs won a playoff classic 42-36 in overtime
Had this been a rivalry in the 1960s or 70s, there likely would have been no love lost between players on the two teams.
But as Bills quarterback Josh Allen told Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson on “The Steam Room” podcast, he and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes are actually good friends.
In fact, they got together at last weekend’s Formula 1 race in Miami.
“We were both at Miami this weekend at F1, we were kind of texting to see if we were there,” Allen said. “Saturday night he FaceTimes me and he’s like, ‘Come here’ and sure enough, we hung out for an hour-and-a-half, two hours just kind of hanging around talking, having a good time.”
Allen acknowledged it may defy expectations that quarterbacks on two of the AFC’s best teams are friends off the field.
In addition to the Formula 1 race, the two met up at the 2021 Masters.
“I’ve spent a couple times around Patrick, but every time I’m around him, he’s just a great dude, he’s a great personality, he’s fun to be around,” Allen said. “Obviously, all the respect that I have for him on the field. I think it’s a different vibe from what people think.
“Again, when we step on that field, we’re supposed to be competitors. It’s the old mantra, ‘You gotta hate your enemy.’ But I would say that we have a really good relationship, especially for the type of games that we tend to play in. AFC championship two years ago, and obviously, the divisional last year. “
Their closeness may come in handy when Mahomes and Allen team up to face the Buccaneers’ Tom Brady and Packers’ Aaron Rodgers in “The Match” charity golf event on June 1.
“He’s awesome. He really is. Love being around him,” Allen said. “And I’m super excited for this opportunity with him. Because I think the other side, they’re gonna riff a little more than me and Pat, I think we’re gonna feed off each other pretty well.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 11:44 AM.
