While the Kansas City Chiefs did go on to cruise to their second straight Super Bowl appearance, the opening 10 minutes of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Bills wasn’t exactly flawless.
The Chiefs found themselves trailing 9-0 after wide receiver Mecole Hardman muffed a punt that Buffalo ended up recovering at the three-yard line.
But just as Patrick Mahomes urged the Chiefs to “do something special” while down 24 points early in last year’s postseason, the Kansas City quarterback was quick to lift up a demoralized Hardman’s spirits.
Mic’d-up video from NFL Films showed both Travis Kelce and Mahomes getting in Hardman’s ears with encouragement after the muffed punt. When Hardman tried to cover his face with a jacket, Mahomes made a point to go over to the wide receiver.
All @MecoleHardman4 needed was a boost from @PatrickMahomes and @tkelce 🔋 @Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/l0jQb2kMVb
— Inside the NFL (@insidetheNFL) January 25, 2021
Mahomes said:
“Hey, Mecole! Hey, hey, hey, look at me. Hey, look at me. Hey, we good. Be you. You’re gonna make a play this game. You’re gonna make a play this game. Let’s go. Hey, be us. We’ve been here. Be us!”
On the very next Chiefs drive, Mahomes would connect with Hardman for a touchdown. Hardman would also break open with a 50-yard run in the game.
That’s what leadership looks like.
