Patrick Mahomes might be kicking back and recharging during the offseason, but that hasn’t stopped critics from taking shots at him. And his long-time trainer, Bobby Stroupe, is ready to defend his star quarterback.
Recently, after a photo surfaced of Mahomes enjoying a Fourth of July celebration on a boat, KCMO radio host Kevin Keitzman seized the moment to critique Mahomes’ physique. According to a report by TMZ, he labeled the two-time MVP as “fat” and called him an “embarrassment” during a podcast episode. However, Stroupe wasn’t going to let those harsh words slide.
In a series of now-deleted posts on X (formerly Twitter), Stroupe fired back. “You don’t have a clue what it takes,” he tweeted, emphasizing that Mahomes’ journey is all about performance, not merely appearances. This was more than just an emotional response; Stroupe has a wealth of experience, having trained Mahomes for years and played a pivotal role in shaping him into one of the most exciting athletes in the NFL.
Stroupe didn’t stop there; he challenged Keitzman to experience Mahomes’ demanding training regimen first-hand. The message was straightforward: it’s easy to make judgments from a distance, but those words ring hollow when faced with the reality of hard work and sacrifice. For Stroupe, defending Mahomes isn’t just a professional obligation—it’s personal.
The backlash to Keitzman’s comments was swift, with many dismissing his critique as an overreach. However, Stroupe’s protective stance towards Mahomes has become a hallmark of his role as trainer. He’s well-equipped to shield Mahomes from uninformed criticism, especially when the evidence of his success is hard to ignore.
Since becoming the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, Mahomes has led the team to seven consecutive AFC Championship appearances and five Super Bowl games, triumphing in three of those. His accomplishments have placed him among an elite group of quarterbacks with three or more Super Bowl titles, earning him a reputation as potentially the best quarterback of his generation.
While it’s true that Mahomes may seem a bit bulkier this offseason, those who know him understand that there’s no real concern regarding his fitness or preparedness. In fact, if there were genuine worries, they wouldn’t come from someone sitting behind a podcast mic.
Keitzman’s remarks might have been more about drawing attention than providing any real insight. But based on Stroupe’s passionate response, it’s clear that Mahomes’ camp isn’t going to back down when baseless criticism invades the conversation. They are more than willing to stand tall, countering misconceptions about one of the face of the NFL, proving that behind every athlete is a dedicated team ready to defend their hard-earned reputation.
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