“Smart dude that has done a lot of great things": How Travis Kelce and godfather LaTroy Hawkins helped Patrick Mahomes build his business empire and secure his financial future beyond NFL

Patrick Mahomes has built a successful career with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his plans go well beyond football. The quarterback has invested in several businesses and sports teams while learning how to manage his money for the future. Two people have played different roles in shaping that approach: his godfather, former MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, and his teammate and close friend Travis Kelce. While Hawkins taught Mahomes about financial responsibility, Kelce showed him the value of staying open to new opportunities.In a May 2024 interview with Boardroom, Mahomes discussed the lessons he has picked up while building his business portfolio. His comments offered a look at how advice from people close to him has influenced his decisions away from the field. LaTroy Hawkins taught Patrick Mahomes to think about life beyond his NFL salaryMahomes learned about professional sports long before he entered the NFL. His father, Pat Mahomes, played professional baseball, and his godfather LaTroy Hawkins spent 21 seasons in Major League Baseball. Hawkins also worked in the Minnesota Twins' front office after his playing career.Having people around him who understood professional sports helped Mahomes learn that a successful career requires more than talent. Hawkins guided him on professionalism and managing money, encouraging him to think about his financial future instead of focusing only on what he earned during his playing years.Mahomes also learned about saving money from his time around locker rooms. Despite becoming the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, he did not buy a car until his second contract. A local marketing deal provided him with a vehicle after the Chiefs selected him.That decision reflected the financial habits he had started developing early in his career. Rather than spending quickly after entering the league, Mahomes wanted to understand how to manage his earnings.In the Boardroom interview, he explained how education and experience shaped his investment decisions.“I think it all comes with education. I’ve learned from things I’ve done in the past, finding the positives and negatives and learning from people that I have around me, and then trying to be better in the next investment or product I endorse.”Mahomes has since built a portfolio that includes stakes in the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current and Sporting Kansas City, alongside his wife, Brittany. His investments also extend to companies and brands outside traditional team ownership.The quarterback has made it clear that he wants to understand the opportunities he takes rather than simply attach his name to a business. His experience with Hawkins helped him recognise the value of learning before making financial decisions. Travis Kelce showed Patrick Mahomes the value of business opportunities beyond footballTravis Kelce has also influenced how Mahomes approaches business. The two Kansas City Chiefs stars have developed a close friendship while building careers that extend beyond the NFL.Mahomes has watched Kelce expand his profile through commercial appearances, investments and other ventures. Their connection also reaches the business world, with both players investing in Alpine's Formula 1 team.Speaking about Kelce's development outside football, Mahomes said he was impressed by how his teammate had expanded his role.“He’s someone who’s expanded his role from off the football field to the status that he has now, including investments.”Mahomes also praised Kelce for carefully considering opportunities before making decisions. He said:“He does a great job of listening to every opportunity and then making the right decisions for himself.”The Chiefs quarterback also pushed back against the idea that Kelce's public image tells the whole story about him. While Kelce is known for his outgoing personality, Mahomes sees a thoughtful businessman behind it.“I always joke around that he puts on this persona that he’s this guy that just likes to party, go out, and have fun. But when he comes down to it, man, he’s a very smart dude that has done a lot of great things with his career on and off the field. That’s why he’s in the place that he’s at now.”Those observations reflect the lesson Mahomes has taken from watching his teammate. Staying open to opportunities can help athletes build careers and income streams that continue after they stop playing.Mahomes has applied that thinking to his own investments. In May 2024, he became the lead investor in Throne Sport Coffee, working with former BodyArmor executive Michael Fedele. He had taken a hands-on approach to the business, including testing four iced coffee flavours and attending meetings during the previous NFL season.His interest in the company went beyond endorsement work. He wanted to be involved in the product and understand the business he was supporting.Mahomes has also explained why he takes a long-term view of his finances. He said:“I’m trying to provide for not only myself now but my kids and then their families as well.”He added that saving and choosing the right people to work with are important parts of that plan.“So, you’ve got to save your money and invest in good people like Michael and Throne Sport Coffee, and hopefully, that money can multiply.”Hawkins helped Mahomes understand the importance of financial discipline, while Kelce offered an example of how athletes can grow their presence beyond sports. Together, their influence has helped Mahomes approach business with a focus on learning, careful decisions and building a future for his family.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.