Is this the beginning of the Jackson Mahomes redemption story?
The brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has taken a lot of (well-deserved) criticism for his childish behavior and social media antics in the past.
But one Chiefs fan is seeing the younger Mahomes in a new light after his actions in the chaotic aftermath of the tragic shooting at yesterday’s Super Bowl parade.
Of course by now we’ve all seen the horrifying images of the moments when shots rang out at what was supposed to be a day of celebration for Kansas City after their Super Bowl victory. So far one person has been confirmed dead, a popular DJ for radio station KKFI, Lisa Lopez. And at least 22 people were injured in the shooting, many of them children, making the situation all the more heartbreaking – and infuriating.
But many stories of the heroic actions of bystanders have emerged through the tragedy, like the men who chased down and tackled one of the suspected shooters.
A #Chiefs fan risked his life to tackle one of the shooters and prevent anyone else from being harmed. Absolutely heroic.
pic.twitter.com/TPG3tIGGxn— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 14, 2024
The man, identified as Paul Contreras, told his side of the story to KETV:
“The whole time he’s fighting to get up and run away. We’re fighting each other, you know. We’re fighting to keep him down and he’s fighting to get up.”
An Omaha hero tackled one of the suspected shooters at today's tragic mass shooting in Kansas City.
"I didn't think about it. It's just a reaction. I didn't hesitate – just do it," said Paul Contreras. #omaha | #chiefsparade pic.twitter.com/DU7RvBEPkD
— Bill Schammert (@BillSchammert) February 15, 2024
And even Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was comforting bystanders in the chaos and confusion of the shooting, with one teenage Chiefs fan recalling the coach hugging him and trying to calm him down:
“Andy Reid was trying to comfort me, which was nice. He was kind of hugging me, just like, ‘Are you OK, man? Are you OK? Just please breathe.’
He was being real nice and everything.”
But there are many other examples emerging of everyday heroes helping others during the tragedy. And according to one woman, that included Jackson Mahomes.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), one witness recalled watching the quarterback’s younger brother help take care of a small child who had become separated from his parents during the shooting:
“I don’t care what anyone says but I have found a new found respect for Jackson Mahomes, Ana and I were stuck hiding with him at union station by the trains and he was taking care of a child who lost his parents and helping him calm down.”
I don’t care what anyone says but I have found a new found respect for Jackson Mahomes, Ana and I were stuck hiding with him at union station by the trains and he was taking care of a child who lost his parents and helping him calm down.
— 6MAMI (@jess6mami) February 14, 2024
The story was seemingly confirmed by Randi Mahomes, mother to Jackson and Patrick, who replied to the original post and said that Jackson was able to get the child safely to police to be reunited with his family:
What a scary unthinkable day.. thankful you all were together for those moments. As i mom i want to thank you. Jackson was able to get the child to the police for help. Blessings to you
— Randi Mahomes (@tootgail) February 15, 2024
Good for Jackson for helping out in what was no doubt a terrifying situation.
