After the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a back-to-back defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 40-22 during Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced significant scrutiny, particularly with one notable interaction with teammate Samaje Perine.
The Chiefs entered the game with aspirations of making history by winning their third consecutive Super Bowl, but were unable to overcome the relentless Eagles defense. Mahomes, who endured six sacks and turned the ball over three times, acknowledged his teammates throughout the game but raised eyebrows when he walked past Perine without any acknowledgment as he greeted everyone else.
Footage from the game showed Mahomes thanking his teammates with handshakes and embraces. Most visibly, he shared warm moments with trusted playmaker Travis Kelce, but as he reached Perine, who had stood up to meet him, Mahomes went straight to Kelce, leaving Perine hanging. Fans quickly took to social media to express their bewilderment.
“That’s weird as hell,” one fan posted on X, capturing the sentiments of many. “[Mahomes] completely ignored Samaje Perine. What a loser,” another commenter chimed in. Yet, not everyone believed the interaction was intentional.
Some fans speculated it may have been accidental. “I think he saw Kelce and missed him but I feel bad for Perine damn,” another remarked, calling attention to the whirlwind of emotions surrounding the team post-defeat and how such moments could get overlooked. Others noted the deep bond between Mahomes and Kelce, considering them as close friends on and off the field.
Despite the apparent snub, Mahomes did not reflect any animosity during his post-game press conference. He analyzed his performance critically, stating, “There's no way around it. Anytime you lose a Super Bowl, it’s the worst thing in the world... it will stick with you the rest of your career.” The quarterback recognized his mistakes as pivotal to the game’s outcome.
Mahomes acknowledged the pack of Eagles defenders who created pressure from the start, leading to his interceptions and contributing to what turned out to be one of the most challenging games of his career. “The turnovers hurt... I take all the blame for [that]. Those turnovers swing the moment of the game, and they capitalized on them,” he explained after the game.
Reflecting on the defeat, Mahomes expressed his drive to improve, saying, “These will be the two losses [Super Bowl LIX included]that will motivate me to be evenbetter for the rest of my career.” The Chiefs are now forced to reconcile this setback as they aim for redemption next season.
While the focus will inevitably turn to how the team rebuilds and recovers from this loss, the slight to Perine sparked conversations about camaraderie and accountability within this fraternity of athletes who live under the constant eye of the public. Many fans cited Perine’s contributions throughout the regular season and understood his disappointment at being overlooked during such raw moments.
This interaction will not likely disappear from the narrative surrounding the Super Bowl LIX loss. It not only highlights the emotional strain on players but also exposes how relationships within dynamic group settings can be affected by high-pressure circumstances. Regardless of how it unfolded, Mahomes remains committed to learning from this experience and is promising to return more focused and prepared for whatever lies ahead.
With hopes of future triumph, this latest chapter adds complexity to the legacy Mahomes is building, especially if he hopes to become one of the greats during his tenure.