Alex Rodriguez gave a young Patrick Mahomes advice that has since become a famous “cold take”: he told him to quit football and focus entirely on baseball.
Rodriguez recently recounted the story on the Jimmy Fallon Show, explaining that he offered this guidance when Mahomes was a 10-year-old hanging around the Texas Rangers clubhouse (where his father, Pat Mahomes Sr., was a pitcher and Rodriguez’s teammate).
Rodriguez told Mahomes, “I know you like football, but trust me when I say this—baseball is where the money is. Football is just for fun, but you’re gonna make your money in baseball like your dad and I.”
Rodriguez’s logic was based on career longevity, guaranteed contracts, and the physical toll of the sports. In his view, baseball offered a more stable and lucrative financial future compared to the high collision risk of the NFL.
Rodriguez recalls that Mahomes listened intently with wide eyes. Fortunately for football fans, Mahomes ignored the advice, though he did continue to play baseball through college at Texas Tech before fully committing to the NFL.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs JAMIE SQUIRE
Rodriguez now frequently jokes about how terrible the advice was, admitting, “I’m glad he didn’t take my advice!”
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