KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The popularity of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has soared into the stratosphere in just over one season as the starter, each no-look or left-handed passes drawing a fresh chorus of acclaim.
Its not just the fans that are the fans, either.
Its kind of cool to see some of the stuff he does, said Colts counterpart Jacoby Brissett, who will get to see Mahomes first-hand when his team heads to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night. Hopefully he doesnt do it this week, but the things he can do with the ball, its very impressive.
So impressive that Brissett even said, rather sheepishly: You just watch and youre like, Yeah, I cant do that. But its fun to see somebody else.
Brissett isnt alone, either.
It seems just about every coach tasked with slowing down the league MVP, or defensive guy forced to make a play against him, is simultaneously challenged and in awe by what Mahomes can do.
Thats not exactly common in a league predicated on one-upsmanship, where players by their very competitive nature are often unwilling to admit that somebody else is better than them.
Hes legit, said Ravens defensive back Brandon Carr, who had just watched him slice up the Baltimore secondary. He leads the team. He can make all the throws. Hes confident. He gets the ball up and down the field. And he can extend plays with his legs. Hes an elite quarterback.
Raiders cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was just as blunt and effusive in his appraisal after watching Mahomes lead the Chiefs to a victory in Oakland.
Hes a hell of a quarterback, Joyner said. Hes arguably the No. 1 quarterback in the league. He got a little Tom Brady to him, a little Drew Brees look, Philip Rivers. Hell challenge you. He can make the throws, he can scramble around, so I mean, you have to cover guys a little bit longer.
There have been guys like Mahomes over the years that have garnered such respect from their play on the field and persona off it that even their biggest rivals cant help but applaud. They tend to go down in history as larger-than-life characters, a unique combination of talent and personality.
Joe Namath was that way back in the 1960s and 1970s, when Broadway Joe brashly predicted a Super Bowl triumph for the Jets, briefly owned a New York nightclub and made so many ladies swoon.
Steelers defensive star Joe Greene was that way in the late 70s, too. His nickname Mean Joe was contrasted by that broad smile in his famous Coca-Cola commercial, making him thousands of fans far beyond Pittsburgh. And with four Super Bowl rings, there was no disputing his success.
Then there was Walter Payton, who was so popular among fans and rivals alike that the Man of the Year award carries his name. Sure, he was the record-setting running back of the Chicago Bears, but he also exhibited such sweetness that even Packers and Vikings fans usually respected him.
Mahomes is following the same road toward popularity.
Hes doing it faster than usual, too.
