Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has voiced his displeasure with the NFL’s decision to schedule games on Christmas Day this season. The Chiefs, alongside three other teams, will be working on the holiday, with Mahomes’ team set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. This follows a trend of increased holiday scheduling, as the NFL aims to expand its market by offering games during special occasions.
Mahomes expressed frustration with the short timeframe between games, as the Chiefs are scheduled to play three times in just 11 days. The Chiefs will face the Cleveland Browns on December 15, the Houston Texans on December 21, and the Steelers on December 25. This compressed schedule is especially taxing for players, considering the physical demands of the sport. Mahomes, already having dealt with a Christmas Day game the previous year, noted that the situation wasn’t ideal for his body, stating, “It’s not a good feeling. You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body. But, at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it.”
This year’s schedule, which includes a rare Wednesday game in the NFL, is part of an effort to ensure games are played on Christmas Day. These Wednesday games are not commonplace in the league, with the most recent instance being in 2020 due to a COVID-19-related scheduling issue. Historically, the NFL had not scheduled games on Christmas Day until more recent years, when they began to incorporate it into the final weeks of the season.
In addition to the physical strain, Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, who are both Christians, will also miss out on spending Christmas at home with their family for the second consecutive year. This situation has become particularly meaningful to Mahomes, as he has always emphasized how his Christian faith plays a role in his life and career. Mahomes explained that his faith provides him a sense of purpose, saying, “I always ask God to lead me in the right direction and let me be who I am for His name.” For him, football is not just a job but an opportunity to glorify God on a grand stage.
In terms of preparation, Mahomes acknowledged that the short turnarounds require diligent focus and personal discipline. “All you can do is focus on the game,” he said. “I try to prepare my body all year long for this stretch.” The Chiefs’ coaching staff, led by Andy Reid, also takes steps to ensure players’ well-being by adjusting the intensity of practice sessions when needed.
The compressed schedule is not just a challenge for Mahomes but also affects other players and teams. Despite clinching the AFC West title, the Chiefs are still in the race for the top spot in the AFC and a first-round playoff bye. Meanwhile, the Steelers and Texans are also fighting for playoff positions, adding further pressure on all teams involved.
In the broader context, Mahomes’ complaints have sparked debates among fans and commentators. While some sympathize with the players’ plight, many point out that working on holidays is not unusual for many people, including those in lower-paying jobs or military service. Nevertheless, the NFL’s decision to schedule high-profile games on Christmas Day raises questions about the balance between commercial interests and player welfare, as well as the significance of family time during the holidays.
Mahomes’ comments reflect a growing sentiment among players about the increasing commercialization of the sport, with some advocating for better consideration of players’ personal lives in the scheduling process. As the NFL continues to evolve, this issue is likely to remain a point of contention for both athletes and fans alike.
