When you think of Patrick Mahomes, you don't just think of no-look passes and Super Bowl rings; you think of that iconic red jersey with the number 15 emblazoned on the back. It’s a number synonymous with quarterback excellence, but the story behind Mahomes choosing it is a fascinating journey through his football career, starting long before he ever donned a Chiefs uniform.
Believe it or not, #15 wasn't always Mahomes' primary choice. Back in his college days at Texas Tech, Mahomes actually coveted the number 15, but it was retired in honor of legendary Red Raiders quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver. Unable to get his preferred number, Mahomes settled for number 5, making it his own throughout his impressive collegiate career, where he lit up scoreboards with his incredible arm talent.
The NFL Choice: Why #15?
When Mahomes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, he initially hoped to continue wearing #5. However, that number was already taken by veteran Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, a fan-favorite and long-standing member of the team. Instead of picking a new, random number, a suggestion came from a familiar face: his former Texas Tech coach, Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury reminded Mahomes that #15 was the number he *wanted* in college, the one he wore for his brief freshman season before switching to #5. It was a subtle nod to unfinished business, a chance to claim the number he originally desired. Mahomes took the advice, embracing #15, and the rest, as they say, is history. He's not only made the number his own but transformed it into one of the most recognizable and revered numbers in all of professional sports.
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