Patrick Mahomes' rare Instagram DM helped a fifth-round Chiefs rookie find his path to the NFL and prove his doubters wrong

Patrick Mahomes saw something special in Emmett Johnson before the Kansas City Chiefs rookie ever stepped onto an NFL field. A direct message from the quarterback before the 2026 NFL Draft gave Johnson an unexpected vote of confidence, but the running back had spent years preparing for his opportunity. From carrying water during a childhood trip to Liberia to overcoming doubts about his blocking, Johnson has built his career around proving himself. Now, after earning the Chiefs' backup running back role, the fifth-round pick is turning that determination into early-season results.Patrick Mahomes' message gave Chiefs rookie Emmett Johnson a boostMahomes took an unusual step before the draft by contacting Johnson through Instagram. The Chiefs quarterback had watched the Nebraska running back play at Arrowhead Stadium and wanted to learn more about his game. Their initial exchange developed into text conversations, giving Johnson an encouraging connection with one of the NFL's biggest stars.Kansas City eventually selected Johnson with the 161st overall pick, trading up in the fifth round to secure him. The wait had tested his confidence. Johnson expected to hear his name earlier, and watching 160 players get drafted before him left a lasting impression.“There’s 160 players before me that people, I guess, thought was a better option than me,” Johnson said. “So I take that personal.”That mindset followed him into training camp. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach recalled an exchange in which Johnson challenged the team's doubts about his pass protection.“Y’all don’t think I can block, do you?”Johnson did not wait for reassurance. He made his intentions clear.“I’m going to show you.”Veach later praised the rookie's response to challenges, noting how he used them to demonstrate his physical and mental toughness. Johnson worked closely with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and running backs coach DeMarco Murray to improve his timing and technique in pass protection.The hard work paid off. Johnson earned the backup role behind Kenneth Walker III after the Chiefs released Emari Demercado before the regular season.Emmett Johnson's journey from Liberia to the Kansas City ChiefsJohnson's determination has roots in his family's history. His parents, Charles Sr. and Precious, left war-torn Liberia for the United States separately during the 1990s. A family visit to Liberia in 2009 helped the young Johnson understand their sacrifices.At six years old, he and his brother carried buckets of well water back to their family's house. The experience changed how he viewed everyday comforts.“It just opened my eyes,” he said. “I was just like, ‘Dang, this is what people have to do every single day, just to make it through a whole day.’ It just made me more grateful.”He carried that gratitude into football. Despite rushing for 2,484 yards and 42 touchdowns during his high school senior season, Johnson had to wait for his chance at Nebraska. He went 475 days before taking his first college snap.His breakout eventually came, and he rushed for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games during his final college season.The rookie has already delivered promising moments in Kansas City. He forced six missed tackles on two receptions in his NFL debut against Denver, according to Pro Football Focus data, and later made a key special-teams play against Las Vegas.Johnson's personal motto captures his approach to every setback: “TOTN”, short for “Tune out the noise.”With Mahomes' early confidence and his own relentless work ethic, Johnson is showing why the Chiefs believed he deserved an opportunity.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.