Patrick Mahomes’ kids deliver emotional message before his Chiefs return, revealing the special bond behind his ACL comeback

Patrick Mahomes is set to return for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos after nine months of rehab for torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. But before the quarterback steps back onto the field, his children, Sterling and Bronze, gave him a message that brought the focus back to what mattered most during his recovery: being their dad.How did Patrick Mahomes’ kids support him during his ACL recovery?Mahomes has been open about how difficult the early part of his recovery was. The physical work was one challenge, but being unable to move around and play with his children was even harder for him.“Honestly, the toughest part was at the beginning, not being able to get up and chase my kids around,” Mahomes said. “I know it sounds crazy, but being a dad and being active, I always want to be around my kids and playing and stuff like that. That was tough. But once I was able to do that, it kinda motivated me to keep getting better and better.”In the voicemail shared by The Players’ Tribune, Sterling and Bronze said, “Hello Daddy. Daddy, I love you. I’m so happy that he gets to go back to playing football. I love you so much. Good job for all your rehab; we’re so happy that you get to play football again, and we get to watch you. You’re the best daddy in the world. I love you. I love you so much.”For Mahomes, those words came from the two people he was thinking about when the recovery felt hardest.Why did Patrick Mahomes’ return mean so much to Sterling and Bronze?Mahomes’ return is a moment for the Chiefs, but it is also a personal one for his children. Sterling, 5, and Bronze, 3, have grown up watching their father play football, so seeing him back on the field means they can once again watch him do what they know him for.Sterling has also shown an interest in sports herself. She plays soccer, while Bronze plays T-Ball.Mahomes suffered the ACL and LCL tears in his left knee during the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in December 2025. He had surgery the next day and spent the offseason working toward his goal of being ready for Week 1. The Chiefs confirmed that he was a full participant in practice during the week leading into the opener, and the NFL reported that he had no injury designation for Monday’s game.The Chiefs had planned for Mahomes to return in Week 1, but his availability depended on how his knee responded. He stayed focused on reaching that target and did not play in the preseason as the team managed his comeback.Now, Mahomes is ready to return against Denver. His children’s message shows why this comeback is about more than football. Before his first game, they gave him a simple reminder of why all that work mattered.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.