Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback, is known for his incredible on-field achievements and his commitment to his team. But in a recent interview with TIME, Mahomes revealed that when it comes to his future in the NFL, his family might just come before football.

Selected as one of TIME’s 2024 Most Influential People, the 29-year-old NFL champion opened up about balancing his demanding career with his personal life as a father.

He shares two children, daughter Sterling Skye and son Patrick “Bronze” Lavon III, with wife Brittany Mahomes, and he acknowledges that his priorities are shifting as his kids grow up.

“I’ve looked ahead,” Mahomes said, reflecting on his career and future plans. “If I played until Tom [Brady’s] age, my daughter would be 19, 20 years old. I would love to play that long… But at the same time, I want to be there for my daughter.”

Mahomes, who has already accomplished so much in his young career, is weighing the possibility of extending his playing years to the age of 45, the mark that Brady set as a standard for NFL longevity. However, he also recognizes that this would mean missing out on crucial moments in his children’s lives.

“At the end of the day, football is my passion, and I love playing the game,” Mahomes continued. “But if I feel like it’s taking away from my family time, that’s when I’ll know it’s time to go.”

This perspective shows that Mahomes, while driven to achieve greatness on the field, is equally driven by his desire to be an active, present father. It’s a refreshing take from an athlete who has already proven himself as one of the best, but knows that family comes first.

For now, Mahomes continues to play at the highest level, and Chiefs fans everywhere are hoping his legendary career will keep going for many years to come. But when the time comes, it’s clear that Mahomes will make the decision that is best for his family, no matter what.

His journey serves as an inspiring reminder that, even in the world of high-performance sports, there’s more to life than just the game. Family, as Mahomes so aptly puts it, is always worth prioritizing.