Mahomes’ Lucky Charm: The Underwear Saga That Has Fans in Stitches

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where every play is scrutinized and every touchdown celebrated like a national holiday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has revealed a secret weapon that’s less about athletic prowess and more about… laundry avoidance. Yes, you read that right. The three-time Super Bowl champion, known for his rocket arm and uncanny ability to dodge defenders, has a lucky charm that’s raising eyebrows, dropping jaws, and sending fans into a frenzy of disbelief: a single pair of red underwear he’s worn to every game of his NFL career. Buckle up, folks—this is the story of Mahomes’ magical unmentionables, and it’s equal parts hilarious and head-scratching.

The Revelation That Shocked the NFL

It all started back in November 2023, during a casual chat on ESPN’s Manningcast with Peyton and Eli Manning. Mahomes, ever the charismatic showman, let slip a tidbit that would forever change how we view the Chiefs’ golden boy. “I’ve worn the same pair of red underwear for every single game I’ve played in the NFL,” he said, with a grin that suggested he knew the chaos this would unleash. “As long as we’re winning football games, I’ll keep the superstition going.”

The internet, predictably, lost its collective mind. Social media platforms—especially X—lit up with reactions ranging from awe to outright horror. “Patrick Mahomes has been wearing the SAME UNDERWEAR for EVERY GAME??” one user posted, followed by a string of vomiting emojis. Another quipped, “Mahomes out here throwing 50-yard bombs while rocking 7-year-old undies. Respect.” Even CBS News jumped on the bandwagon, quoting Mahomes’ nonchalant explanation: “If we’re on a hot streak, I can’t wash them, you know?”

Let’s pause for a moment to process this. Mahomes, a man who’s amassed a net worth of over $70 million, who owns a stake in an MLS team, and who’s married to Brittany Mahomes (a fashion icon in her own right), is out here clinging to a pair of red boxers like they’re the Holy Grail. In a world where athletes spend thousands on custom cleats and high-tech recovery gear, Mahomes’ loyalty to his lucky undies is both endearing and utterly bizarre.

The Science of Superstition

To understand why Mahomes would stake his career on a single pair of underwear, we need to dive into the psychology of superstitions. Athletes are notorious for their quirky rituals—think Michael Jordan wearing his college shorts under his NBA uniform or Wade Boggs eating chicken before every game. For Mahomes, the red underwear became a talisman during his breakout 2018 season, when he threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, earning him the NFL MVP award. “I wore them that first season, and we kept winning,” he explained. “I’m not messing with what works.”

Sports psychologist Dr. Samantha Lee, who’s worked with professional athletes, says this is par for the course. “Superstitions give athletes a sense of control in a high-pressure environment where so much is unpredictable,” she explains. “If Mahomes believes those underwear are tied to his success, they become a mental anchor, boosting his confidence.” Sure, Dr. Lee, but did you consider the smell? Seven years of NFL games, practices, and travel—those undies must have stories that could make a locker room blush.

Mahomes did clarify one thing in 2023, likely in response to the collective gagging of Chiefs Kingdom: he doesn’t actually wear the underwear during games. “I just wear them to the games,” he said, putting at least a few minds at ease. So, picture this: Mahomes, striding into Arrowhead Stadium, his game-day suit pristine, his hair perfectly styled, and somewhere in his duffel bag, a pair of battle-worn red boxers whispering, “You got this, Pat.”

Fan Reactions: From Disgust to Devotion

The underwear saga has turned Mahomes into a walking meme, with fans and detractors alike weighing in. On X, one user posted a photoshopped image of Mahomes’ jersey with a giant red boxer logo, captioned, “New Chiefs sponsor: Fruit of the Loom.” Another fan, clearly a believer in the magic, wrote, “If those undies get us a three-peat, I’m buying a replica pair.”

But not everyone’s on board. Some fans have taken to calling the underwear a biohazard, with one X post joking, “The EPA needs to investigate Mahomes’ laundry hamper.” Others have pointed out the racial undertones of certain fan antics, like when Buffalo Bills supporters hung a Kermit the Frog doll dressed as Mahomes outside their stadium in 2024, an act Brittany Mahomes called “disgusting” and some labeled as racially insensitive. The underwear, it seems, are more than just a quirky superstition—they’ve become a lightning rod for fan passion and controversy.

Brittany’s Take: The Real MVP?

No discussion of Mahomes’ lucky charm would be complete without mentioning Brittany Mahomes, the woman who’s presumably had to coexist with these infamous undies. Brittany herself has her own game-day ritual, often sporting Patrick’s jersey number 15 on her outfits, a subtle nod to her role as the Chiefs’ biggest cheerleader. But one can only imagine the conversations in the Mahomes household. “Honey, have you seen my lucky underwear?” Patrick might ask, to which Brittany, rolling her eyes, replies, “They’re in the safe, next to your MVP trophies.”

Brittany’s no stranger to the spotlight, and she’s leaned into the underwear narrative with her trademark humor. In an Instagram Story, she once posted a photo of herself at a Chiefs game, captioning it, “Keeping the lucky vibes strong 💪.” Fans speculated she was referencing the underwear, with one commenter joking, “Brittany deserves a medal for dealing with those boxers.”

The 2025 Super Bowl Debacle

The underwear’s legendary status took a hit during Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, when the Chiefs suffered a crushing 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Mahomes had a rough day, throwing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Fans were quick to point fingers—not just at Mahomes’ performance but at the underwear. “Those undies ran out of juice,” one X user posted. Another suggested, “Time to retire the boxers, Pat. They’re cursed now.”

Adding fuel to the fire, an Eagles fan went viral for stabbing a Mahomes voodoo doll during the game, prompting speculation that the underwear’s magic had been hexed. Mahomes, ever the professional, brushed off the loss, admitting, “I need to throw the ball away sometimes instead of forcing big plays.” But the underwear? They remained silent, their mystique slightly tarnished but still intact.

The Legacy of the Lucky Undies

As Mahomes gears up for the 2025 NFL season, the question looms: will the red underwear make a comeback? Despite the Super Bowl loss, Mahomes’ track record—three Super Bowls, two MVPs, and a highlight reel that could make Tom Brady jealous—suggests the undies still have some mojo. And let’s be honest: in a league where players tape their fingers, kiss their cleats, and pray to the football gods, a pair of lucky boxers isn’t the weirdest thing we’ve seen.

For fans, the underwear saga is a reminder that even superstars like Mahomes are human, clinging to quirks that make them relatable. Sure, the idea of unwashed game-day undies might make your nose wrinkle, but it’s also a testament to the lengths athletes go to for that extra edge. So, here’s to Patrick Mahomes and his red underwear—may they continue to defy logic, hygiene, and the Philadelphia Eagles. And if the Chiefs pull off another Super Bowl run, don’t be surprised if those boxers end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, right next to his jersey. Just… maybe behind glass.