Patrick Mahomes is officially cleared for training camp, less than eight months after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during a game back on December 14. That’s a ridiculous turnaround for an injury that sidelined him for surgery the very next day.
A Brutal Comeback No One Saw Coming So Fast
Seriously, think about that timeline: a major knee injury, surgery on December 15, and now, a little over seven months later, he’s cleared to hit the field for camp. It shows you the insane dedication this guy has. Mahomes himself spoke Friday about the sheer grind of it, telling Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star that he “had to stay on top of it” because it’s “a long process.” You gotta respect that kind of commitment to getting back in the game, especially when you consider what he was facing. Watching his team play from the sidelines must’ve been brutal for a competitor like him, and he admitted it “hurt me” to sit there.
The Legend He Called For Help Is Unreal
Here’s where it gets interesting: Mahomes didn’t just tough it out alone. He actually consulted with other players who went through similar brutal rehabs. And get this: one of the first guys he talked to was none other than Tom Brady. Mahomes specifically said, “I talked to Tom [Brady] early in the process because he had the same injury, a very similar injury that I had.” Brady tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee way back in the 2008 season opener, and you know how that story ended: he came back in 2009 and won Comeback Player of the Year. That’s some serious mentorship right there, going to a legend who literally wrote the book on bouncing back from a devastating knee injury. Mahomes also tapped into wisdom from former Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu and veteran tight end Zach Ertz. That’s a smart move, getting perspective from guys who’ve walked that long, painful road.
So, what’s next for Mahomes? He’s cleared for practice, which is huge, but he’s not stopping there. His goal is clear: “Now I’m just trying to get to that spot where I’m cleared to play in the regular season on that first week.” After watching from the table for those final games, you know he’s itching to be back out there full time when the regular season kicks off. This isn’t just about being “back,” it’s about being ready to absolutely dominate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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