In the heart of Lubbock, the name Mahomes portrays more than just a former athlete. It’s the namesake adorned by countless kids wearing the fabled red and black number five jersey, watching on from the stands dreaming of being the next Texas Tech gunslinger. It represents the mural painted on the wall of a local taco shop on the outskirts of Tech’s campus, almost as if artist Joey Martinez was Michelangelo, using the quarterback as his David. West Texas has grown to love the former Red Raider, and displays that love in a variety of ways.
Former Tech quarterback and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was inducted into the Texas Tech Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame on Saturday. Mahomes is the eighth member to join the club.
“When I first came here I would’ve never thought I would be in the Texas Tech Hall of Fame or being inducted in the Ring of Honor. I think it all starts with the people around me," Mahomes said.
While Mahomes filled the stat sheets during his time as a Red Raider, it has been his impact on the Tech and Lubbock community that has helped his induction into the ring of honor. Director of Athletics at Texas Tech Kirby Hocutt said he's excited to welcome Mahomes back to Jones AT&T stadium.
“Patrick is an NFL MVP and Superbowl champion," Hocutt said in a public statement regarding the induction. "But he's, most importantly, a Red Raider who remains an avid supporter of our great university."
Mahomes’ charity organization “15 and the Mahomies” has made contributions to different communities in Lubbock. These include donations to the Children's Advocacy Center of the South Plains, Communities in Schools of the South Plains and the South Plains Food Bank.
The Chiefs quarterback has inspired Lubbock residents to pursue unique careers. Faith Douglass, a senior journalism student from Canyon and reporter for the Chiefs, said that Mahomes' time at Tech swayed her to apply for a position with Kansas City.
“With Mahomes, anytime my story assignment has anything to do with him, it's a lot easier to write," Douglass said. "Just because I definitely care more. I mean, I've been following him on Twitter for forever instead of the whole team now."
The scenery of Lubbock has found inspiration from Mahomes, including engagement between the quarterback and street art. Local artist Joey Martinez said that Mahomes went as far as to post the mural painted by Martinez on his Instagram story.
"Meeting Patrick Mahomes while he attended Texas Tech and while I attended Texas Tech made me appreciate the fact that he was very humble," Martinez said. "After he won the Superbowl, I posted on social media that I would paint a portrait after the game of him if Kansas City won. They won and I stuck to my word and instantly got recognition for it. In 2020, I was asked to paint Mahomes on University (Ave.), where I had no hesitation painting his picture again, but with more swag."
An official sellout for the Baylor game on Oct. 29 shows the excitement fans, students and residents have over Mahomes' return to the Hub City.