Patrick Mahomes II is the superstar quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is known for his incredible talent, record-breaking performances, and unique style on and off the field.
One of the most distinctive parts of Mahomes’ look is what he has printed on the back of his helmet. Let’s take a closer look at what the text on the back of Patrick Mahomes’ helmet says and the meaning behind it.
What Exactly Does the Back of Patrick Mahomes’ Helmet Say?
The text printed on the back of Patrick Mahomes’ helmet reads:
“Fort Worth Tx”
The text is printed in all capital letters in a bold, block font. The words “Fort” and “Worth” are stacked on top of each other, with “Tx” centered below them.
This refers to Mahomes’ hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. He was born in Tyler, Texas but grew up in Fort Worth after his family moved there when he was in elementary school. Fort Worth is where Mahomes played high school and college football before being drafted into the NFL.
Why Does He Have His Hometown on His Helmet?
There are a few key reasons why Patrick Mahomes chose to pay tribute to his hometown on the back of his helmet:
To Honor His Roots
Despite now playing for a team in Kansas City, Missouri, Mahomes has strong ties to his hometown in Texas. Mahomes grew up in Fort Worth and has great pride in the city. Putting “Fort Worth Tx” on his helmet allows him to carry his hometown with him wherever he goes.
To Represent Where He Developed His Football Skills
Mahomes credits his time playing football for schools in Fort Worth for helping shape him into the elite quarterback he is today. By repping Fort Worth on his helmet, he gives a nod to the coaches, teammates, and communities that supported him on his path to the NFL.
To Inspire Youth in His Hometown
Mahomes knows he serves as an inspiration to young athletes dreaming of success. His Fort Worth helmet reminds kids from his hometown that someone from their same streets accomplished huge goals.
When Did He Start Putting His Hometown on His Helmet?
Mahomes has rocked the Fort Worth text on his helmet ever since he entered the NFL in 2017 after being drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The tradition actually started when Mahomes was a standout high school quarterback at Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, Texas. He first had “Whitehouse” printed on his helmet, showcasing pride for his high school.
He continued the tradition at Texas Tech University, where he had “Lubbock Tx” (the home of Texas Tech) printed on the back of his college helmet.
Mahomes then made the transition to repping his beloved hometown of “Fort Worth Tx” once he joined the Chiefs. It’s been his signature look ever since.
Where Exactly is the Helmet Text Placed?
The “Fort Worth Tx” text is precisely centered on the lower back portion of Patrick Mahomes’ helmet.
It sits right above the opening where the helmet meets the back of the neck. This places the text directly in the center rear of the helmet, in clear view for media cameras capturing Mahomes when he drops back to pass.
The text is situated on the white protective shell of the helmet itself. Mahomes currently wears a Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond helmet. The placement and look of the text has remained consistent even as Mahomes has changed helmet models during his NFL career.
What Font is Used for the Text?
The font used for the “Fort Worth Tx” text on the back of Mahomes’ helmet is a bold, all-caps, block style font.
The font looks to be from about the Arial or Helvetica font families. It gives the text a clear, bold and classic athletic style look that pops against the white background of the helmet shell.
Each letter is printed in the same thick, block style font. The text size is appropriately large enough to be easily visible but not overly huge or distracting.
Overall, the font projects Mahomes’ Texas roots in a bold, no-frills manner without being overly flashy or gimmicky. It’s an effective font choice for the purpose.
Has Mahomes Ever Changed or Added to the Helmet Text?
For the most part, Patrick Mahomes has maintained the same consistent “Fort Worth Tx” text on the back of his helmets ever since entering the NFL.
However, he has made a few slight tweaks and additions over the years:
- Kansas City added in 2018: For a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 21, 2018, Mahomes’ helmet added small text under Fort Worth Tx that read “Kansas City.” This paid tribute to the city he now plays for while still recognizing his Texas hometown.
- Playoff appearances added: Mahomes began adding small text like “2019 AFC Champs” after playoff accomplishments. These are added below the Fort Worth line to commemorate Mahomes’ postseason achievements.
- No text in Super Bowl: For Super Bowl LIV in 2020, Mahomes opted to remove all text from the back of his helmet for the big game. This gave him a clean look for the championship match.
- Tribute to Tech in 2021: In a 2021 game against the Raiders, Mahomes replaced Fort Worth with “Texas Tech” as a shoutout to his alma mater on the 10-year anniversary of him playing there.
So while Mahomes does switch it up very occasionally, the classic “Fort Worth Tx” remains his go-to helmet text in the vast majority of games.
Who Else Puts Hometowns on Their Helmets?
While Patrick Mahomes’ Fort Worth helmet makes him one of the most famous examples, he certainly isn’t the only NFL player repping his hometown on the back of his helmet. Here are a few other pros who share the hometown pride:\
- Tom Brady – San Mateo, CA
- Russell Wilson – Richmond, VA
- Dak Prescott – Haughton, LA
- Christian McCaffrey – Castle Rock, CO
- Jalen Ramsey – Sumner, SC
- Kirk Cousins – Holland, MI
The hometown helmet is a fun way for NFL stars to remember their roots and pay tribute to the towns that helped shape them. Fans also enjoy seeing the players rep their local communities during big games.
Why is Mahomes Allowed to Have Non-Standard Helmet Text?
Since the back of helmets typically just have team names or logos, you may wonder why Mahomes is specially allowed to customize his helmet with the Fort Worth text.
The NFL has strict rules limiting players from major helmet modifications that could impact safety. However, the league does grant exceptions for players to add hometown tributes or honor fallen loved ones as long as the text doesn’t interfere with safety equipment.
As one of the biggest superstars in the league, Mahomes is afforded more leeway to build his personal brand. The Fort Worth text has become part of Mahomes’ identity, so the NFL and Chiefs grant him permission to carry on the helmet tradition.
Does Mahomes Ever Wear Logos or Brands on His Helmets?
While quarterbacks like Tom Brady have occasionally incorporated sponsors or brands into their helmet text, Mahomes has so far stuck just to hometown shoutouts.
He keeps his helmets free from any brand names or logos aside from the Chiefs team insignia. However, as Mahomes continues to grow his lucrative endorsement deals and business partnerships, it wouldn’t be surprising to someday see a brand name incorporated into his helmet design.
For now, though, Mahomes is keeping things clean and using the helmet space solely for nods to his roots and on-field accomplishments.
What Messages Has Mahomes’ Helmet Sent?
At the end of the day, the text on the back of Mahomes’ helmet is about more than just repping Fort Worth—it sends important messages about his values:
- Staying Humble: The helmet reminds Mahomes of his background despite his fame.
- Leading by Example: Mahomes sets a tone that hard work and priorities matter more than money and status.
- Respecting Community: He thanks those that invested time in him before he was a star.
- Inspiring Youth: Mahomes motivates young athletes to chase their dreams.
- Making an Impact: While he could promote brands, Mahomes uses the space to uplift his community.
So for Mahomes, the helmet carries deep personal meaning while also allowing him to send positive messages as a role model. That makes the simple text on the back incredibly powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number does Patrick Mahomes wear?
Patrick Mahomes wears number 15 for the Kansas City Chiefs. He has worn number 15 dating back to his college football days at Texas Tech.
What is Patrick Mahomes’ nickname?
Mahomes is often referred to by the nicknames “Pat” or “The Kid” due to starting his NFL career at a young age. Announcers also call him “Showtime Mahomes” for his flashy, highlight-reel plays.
Where did Patrick Mahomes go to high school?
Mahomes attended Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, Texas. As the star quarterback, he led his team to a 27-1 record over two seasons and back-to-back district championships.
What is Mahomes’ ethnic background?
Mahomes is multiracial – his father Pat Mahomes Sr. is African-American and his mother Randi Mahomes is white. Mahomes embraces both sides of his heritage.
What college did Mahomes go to?
After high school, Mahomes went on to play college football at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He was a starting quarterback for three seasons at Texas Tech and put up video game-like passing stats.
Is Mahomes married?
Yes, Patrick Mahomes married his high school sweetheart Brittany Matthews in 2022. They began dating in the 10th grade and have been together for over 8 years. They now have a daughter named Sterling.
What is Mahomes’ typical pregame routine?
Mahomes has several quirky pregame rituals he follows for good luck – including listening to the same playlist, putting his left sock on first, and dancing out of the tunnel onto the field.
How much did the Chiefs pay Mahomes?
In 2020, Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension with the Chiefs reportedly worth up to $503 million. It is the largest contract in NFL history.
What records does Mahomes hold?
Mahomes owns several NFL passing records including most passing yards in a player’s first 3 seasons and most consecutive road games with 4+ TD passes.
How would you describe Mahomes’ playing style?
Mahomes is known for his unorthodox, improvisational playing style using his cannon arm strength and athleticism to make incredible off-balance throws. He plays aggressively and thrives under pressure.
Let me know if you need any other details expanded on in the article!