Patrick Mahomes finally speaks out on scandal involving controversial teammate

Patrick Mahomes turned the spotlight toward a difficult subject: redemption. In the second episode of the docuseries The Kingdom, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback spoke candidly about Kareem Hunt’s return to the team—seven years after being released following a high-profile assault scandal that rocked the NFL.

Patrick Mahomes, known for his leadership on the field and his low-key demeanor off it, was firm yet thoughtful. He admitted that Kareem Hunt’s actions were wrong, but defended his right to rebuild. “He’s not a bad person,” Mahomes said, in a statement that doesn’t excuse but seeks to humanize. Mahomes made it clear that mistakes shouldn’t define someone forever—especially when they’ve shown remorse and a willingness to change.

Straight talk from Patrick Mahomes

According to Sportskeeda, Patrick Mahomes stepped outside his usual media persona to speak openly about a topic that divides fans. His stance wasn’t isolated: Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also supported Hunt’s return, saying he “paid for what he did” and deserves a second chance.

Kareem Hunt also spoke in The Kingdom, expressing regret for the 2018 incident. In which he was caught on video assaulting a woman in a Cleveland hotel. Though he wasn’t criminally charged, the footage was enough for the Chiefs—led by Patrick Mahomes—to release him at the time. Hunt has since worked to rebuild his career, spending time with the Cleveland Browns before returning to Kansas City, where he played 13 games last season, racking up 728 yards and seven touchdowns.

The weight of second chances

Patrick Mahomes didn’t take this lightly. In the NFL, talent isn’t everything—image matters. Talking about redemption can be as risky as throwing a fourth-down pass into tight coverage. But Mahomes did it, and he did it with conviction. His message is clear: everyone deserves a second chance, as long as they’re willing to own their mistakes and work to be better.

Scandals often bury careers. But Patrick Mahomes believes in nuance, in the possibility of rebuilding. And in doing so, he shows that his leadership goes far beyond the football field.