Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes donated $5 million to Texas Tech, his alma mater, on Thursday to help fund a $242 million renovation of the south end zone of Jones AT&T Stadium and the Dustin R. Womble Football Center.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
The school in Lubbock, Texas, said it would name the walkthrough area of the football center, the quarterback meeting room and the office of the offensive coordinator after Mahomes, who played for the Red Raiders from 2014-16. He declared for the NFL draft a year early and the Chiefs selected him in the first round in 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs onto the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“There isn’t a greater ambassador for Texas Tech athletics than Patrick Mahomes,” Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire said. “He is arguably the best brand in sports, not only for his success on the field but for what he and his family do off it.”
Mahomes retweeted the announcement of the gift Thursday before skipping the Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Bears later in the evening. They open the regular season Sept. 5 against the Ravens in a rematch of the AFC title game.
Mahomes’ impact on the school already was evident inside Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech agreed to a 10-year partnership with Adidas in July to become its official apparel provider, and as part of the deal, the company has released Texas Tech and Mahomes co-branded apparel featuring his signature “gladiator” logo.
Mahomes frequently attends Texas Tech games, too. The past three seasons he has returned during the Chiefs’ bye week, including in 2022, when he was inducted into the school’s ring of honor and Hall of Fame. Mahomes also shows up at baseball and basketball events, including the Big 12 Tournament, which is held not far from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
His latest gift to Texas Tech pushes the school’s fundraising total to $115 million for the stadium and football center projects.
“When we first launched this campaign, Patrick was only a freshman, and now it is fitting that we approach the end of the campaign with a gift of his own,” Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt said. “We are so proud of Patrick for all he has accomplished and how he has continually supported Texas Tech on a global scale.”
