Is a championship quarterback ever allowed to relax? That’s the question exploding across NFL fan circles and sports media after a Kansas City radio host launched a vicious attack on Patrick Mahomes, calling his physique a disgrace and suggesting his lifestyle is nothing short of irresponsible. The viral moment stems from July 4th weekend photos showing Mahomes shirtless on a yacht, celebrating with friends. While for most celebrities, this would pass as just another off-season Instagram moment, it quickly spiraled into a national debate when veteran sports radio host Kevin Kietzman aired his grievances.

Kietzman, on his podcast “Kevin Kietzman Has Issues,” declared that Mahomes looked “fat,” branding the quarterback an “embarrassment” and accusing him of relying on raw talent instead of putting in the physical discipline expected of a $500 million NFL star. His rant didn’t stop there. He painted a picture of Mahomes gorging on Taco Bell, DoorDashing fried chicken, and skipping workouts. “Stop the fast food. Do a sit-up. Do something,” he exclaimed. According to Kietzman, Mahomes’ physique wouldn’t even pass at a neighborhood pool party for 60-year-olds.

Yet despite the firestorm, one can’t ignore Mahomes’ unparalleled record. With three Super Bowl rings, two MVP awards, and over 32,000 passing yards, Mahomes’ performance speaks volumes louder than a few unflattering vacation photos. And while his physique may not resemble a Greek statue, it certainly hasn’t hindered his ability to dominate the league and carry his team to victory season after season.

This latest round of Patrick Mahomes body-shamed controversy has ignited intense backlash—not just from fans, but also from Mahomes’ inner circle. His longtime trainer Bobby Stroupe lashed out at Kietzman in a series of now-deleted posts, defending the quarterback’s work ethic and condemning the toxic nature of the attack. Across social media, many echoed the sentiment: Mahomes is a generational talent, not a swimsuit model.

As this storm brews, the timing couldn’t be more electric. Week Two of the upcoming NFL season will feature a high-stakes showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles—the same team that humiliated the Chiefs with a crushing 40-22 win in Super Bowl LIX. For many fans, that loss still stings, especially considering Mahomes threw two interceptions and only managed to score late in the game when it was far out of reach. The question lingers: is this Week Two matchup merely a rematch, or a glimpse of yet another Super Bowl clash to come?

This narrative isn’t just about fitness or football—it reflects deeper tensions around public image, racialized expectations, and the modern obsession with peak physical aesthetics. Critics like Kietzman seem to hold Mahomes to a higher standard than many of his peers, casting judgment not on his stats, but his stomach. But for a man who’s proven time and time again that he can win under pressure, the “dad bod” label feels laughably irrelevant.

Mahomes himself has handled the controversy with his signature calm and sense of humor. Earlier this year, when similar shirtless images went viral after the AFC Championship, he tweeted: “Yoooo why they have to do me like that!?!?!? #DadBodSZN.” It was a perfect blend of self-awareness and defiance—one that suggests Mahomes isn’t interested in being anyone’s poster boy. He’s here to win games, not flex abs.

As the season approaches, fans and critics alike will be watching closely—not just to see if Mahomes has “toned up,” but to see how he responds to the noise. History suggests he’ll do what he always does: rise above the headlines and let his performance speak. If he comes out swinging against the Eagles and leads the Chiefs to another championship campaign, nobody will be talking about Taco Bell again.

So what should we take from all of this? Maybe it’s time to stop holding athletes to unrealistic physical ideals, especially when their actual results are nearly unmatched. Mahomes doesn’t owe anyone a six-pack. What he does owe—touchdowns, comebacks, playoff magic—he’s already delivered in full.

Patrick Mahomes body-shamed or not, one thing remains undeniable: he’s still the most dangerous man in football.

And if Week Two turns out to be a Super Bowl preview, critics like Kietzman might just be forced to eat their words—alongside a spicy Taco Bell combo.