Patrick Mahomes was present for the thrilling Top 10 college basketball matchup between his alma mater, Texas Tech, and Houston. As expected, he received the celebrity treatment during the ESPN broadcast. Unfortunately, ESPN’s camera focus on Mahomes nearly caused them to miss a pivotal moment in the game. After Texas Tech trimmed the lead to 62-59 with just over a minute remaining, the cameras zoomed in on an animated Mahomes in the front row while Houston brought the ball up the court. Fans watched as he reacted enthusiastically, yelling in excitement about something unfolding in the game—though viewers were left in the dark about the actual play, as the cameras prioritized the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s reaction.
ESPN shows Patrick Mahomes reacting to a play instead of the play itself down the stretch of Houston-Texas Tech. pic.twitter.com/ckVwKIWvvo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 25, 2025
It was up to the announcers to clarify that Houston had escaped a timeout after nearly turning the ball over. Ultimately, that was as close as the Red Raiders would come in the final minute, as the Cougars quickly hit a three-pointer on their next possession, securing a 69-61 victory. Basketball’s fast-paced nature doesn’t lend itself to frequent pauses for celebrity or fan shots, unlike sports like football or baseball, where such moments are easily integrated. In the crucial last minute, where a trailing team may set up defensive pressure and turnovers are likely, focusing on a celebrity can be a risky choice—and one that backfired in this instance.
On a lighter note, Mahomes’ reaction was indeed entertaining to witness in real time. While it may not have reached the comedic heights of the Kim Mulkey level, it certainly came close.
