In the defeat against the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes executes daring backwards pass to Travis Kelce.
During a preseason match against the Detroit Lions, with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback feigned a handoff and then threw an audacious pass behind his back to tight end Travis Kelce, securing the first down. The home crowd erupted in cheer.
Although the drive resulted in a field goal and Mahomes only participated in two series throughout the game (leading to a 24-23 loss), this moment was a spark of brilliance that Mahomes attributed to an error.
"Basically, Travis messed up his route, and I was ticked off at him. So, in a fit of pique, I threw a behind-the-back pass, and now it's going to be a highlight," Mahomes mentioned during a third-quarter interview, as the crowd in the background chuckled. "He was supposed to run a flat route, but he didn't, so I threw it behind my back out of anger, but now it's turned into a highlight."
"It was absolutely improvised. I've been trying to tell everyone that such moments can't be planned; they simply happen spontaneously, and you have to be in the groove," Mahomes continued. "I actually forgot about it until halftime, when someone reminded me of it. It wasn't a planned play or a called shot. It just happened naturally."
"I was like, 'Oh darn Travis,' and I threw it behind my back, and miracle of miracles, it worked."
Kelce, however, refused to accept blame and joked back at his QB during another in-game interview with the NFL Network.
"He's got this voice thing going on," Kelce said, adopting a nasal Mahomes impression, "and so he kind of mumbled out the play. I couldn't hear him, and by the time I looked over, he was already in mid-throw like a picture on a sports card. I guess I was in the right place at the right time."
The play went viral, with Kelce's older brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason, among its supporters. Jason tweeted, "This guy actually managed to pull it off!" before adding, "Now that it's happened in the preseason, I think it's time for a cowbell!" referencing the popular Saturday Night Live skit with Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell.
Although Mahomes maintained that the play was impromptu, he conceded that the team's head coach, Andy Reid, had suggested trying the play occasionally. Mahomes had practiced the move before, even throwing one successfully to Isiah Pacheco, but had never considered using it in a game.
Reid, following the game, expressed his support for Mahomes' decision to throw the behind-the-back pass if he could complete the throw, although he declined to speculate on his reaction if the pass had resulted in an interception or incompletion.
"Just keep a positive attitude," Reid said. "They attempt that in basketball several times every game. So, it's not such a big deal if they do it behind their back."
Mahomes, after the game, stated that he wouldn't be planning to use the behind-the-back pass routinely, but he did take a moment to evaluate its impact.
"I suppose it looked cool, but I haven't actually seen it yet."
The behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce during the preseason game was an unexpected addition to Mahomes' repertoire in sport. Despite the team's loss, this unconventional play brought an exciting moment to the spectators.
Mahomes' spontaneous throw behind his back in the preseason game showcased the unpredictable nature of sports, as even the most improvised moves can lead to memorable highlights.
