NFL star Patrick Mahomes has stirred strong reactions online after describing his hair as “nappy” during a recent interview.
Some social media users criticized Mahomes’ choice of words, saying it sounded “anti-Black.” Others defended him, suggesting the backlash was more about his wife, Brittany Mahomes, and her assumed Republican ties, rather than the comment itself.
Mahomes spoke to Kansas City’s KCTV as NFL players prepare for the new season. During the conversation, he also revealed a new haircut. Known for his longer mohawk in recent seasons, Mahomes explained he had wanted a change for a while but kept the style for good luck.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a while, but it was kind of a superstition,” Mahomes said. “I kept winning the Super Bowl, so I didn’t want to cut it.”
After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to another Super Bowl in February, Mahomes decided it was finally time. “I told everybody during the season, win or lose, I’m getting a haircut,” he added.
Reflecting on his old look, Mahomes said, “I looked at videos from last year, and I can’t believe you guys let me keep that nappy hair for so long. I look way better now with short hair.”
While Mahomes likely did not intend to offend, his comment quickly went viral. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) slammed him, linking his remark to his wife’s rumored political views. One user wrote, “Coming from him with a MAGA wife, it sounds anti-Black.” Another added, “His MAGA mom probably called his hair nappy growing up.”
Others claimed Mahomes’ hair was simply dry, not “nappy,” and suggested he needed a proper hair care routine.
However, the reaction on Instagram was much more supportive. Many defended Mahomes, criticizing the outrage as overblown. “Can y’all go outside and touch grass,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “He’s literally talking about himself.”
Mahomes and his family have faced public scrutiny before. In 2024, Brittany Mahomes came under fire for allegedly liking a post supporting former President Donald Trump. She later responded on Instagram, calling her critics “haters” and suggesting they needed to heal from childhood issues.
Patrick Mahomes has previously said he prefers to keep his political views private. “I don’t want to pressure anyone to vote for a certain president,” he said. “I want people to use their voice and do their research.”
