For Pete's Sake

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes didn’t play vs. Browns, but he took field to support injured foe

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs onto the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Kansas City.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs onto the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Kansas City. nwagner@kcstar.com

The Chiefs’ preseason game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium began in sad fashion.

Cleveland received the opening kickoff and Jakeem Grant received the ball in the end zone. He opted for a return and unfortunately was seriously injured on the play.

Grant removed his helmet while on the field and he was in pain. A cart took him off the field. While Grant was being attended to on the field, quarterback Patrick Mahomes came off the Chiefs sideline to check on Grant.

This was a nice gesture by Mahomes, who didn’t play in the Chiefs’ final preseason game, which they won 33-32. So this likely was one of the few times Mahomes actually was on the field Saturday, other than during pregame.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) hugs Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) after being hit during a preseason game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Kansas City.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) hugs Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) after being hit during a preseason game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Mahomes wasn’t the only Chiefs player to check on Grant. Others made a point of wishing him well.

Mahomes and Grant know each other well because they were teammates at Texas Tech.

This story was originally published August 26, 2023 at 1:08 PM.

Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.
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