If Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is drawing inspiration from Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, the man himself couldn’t be more supportive.
Mahomes, who has become an icon for young quarterbacks, recently acknowledged Raiola’s efforts to mimic his style, both in appearance and play, and sees it as a natural part of the learning process.
“It’s cool, honestly,” Mahomes said when asked about Raiola’s imitation of him.
“I was that guy. I grew up watching players. I remember when I would grow up, I loved Alex Rodriguez playing shortstop and I tried to make plays just like him. Doing stuff like that helped me become the athlete that I am today.”
For Mahomes, who trained with Raiola in the offseason, imitation is part of a larger journey for young athletes. He recognizes the hard work Raiola is putting in and believes it will lead to success.
“I know Dylan. Great kid, a great football player, and I think he’s going to make his own stamp on the game. I think you’ve seen that early in his career,” Mahomes added.
Patrick Mahomes on #Huskers QB Dylan Raiola:
“It’s cool, honestly. I was that guy, grew up watching players. I loved A-Rod, played SS, would try to make plays just like him. It helped me become the athlete that I am. It’s just telling me I’m getting a little old.” #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/0Fi9lMRzv3— Jared Koller (@JaredKCTV5) September 11, 2024
Raiola, a highly-touted freshman quarterback, has drawn comparisons to Mahomes not just for his play but also for his appearance. His haircut, sunglasses, and No15 jersey all give him a Mahomes-like aura on the field.
Fans and commentators have noticed that even during warmups, Raiola has adopted some of Mahomes’ trademark movements and techniques.
While Mahomes appreciates the nod, he also acknowledges that the imitations remind him of his own transition into superstar status in the NFL.
At just 28 years old, Mahomes is already becoming a role model for the next generation of quarterbacks, a reality that he’s still coming to terms with.
“It’s just telling me I’m getting a little old,” Mahomes said with a smile, recognising the shift from being the young player looking up to others, to now being the athlete others look up to.
