In an exciting revelation ahead of the highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, Patrick Mahomes opened up about his childhood NFL fandom and the player who inspired him the most. As the Chiefs prepare to face the Cowboys in what could be a Super Bowl preview, Mahomes shared a few surprises about his early years as a football fan.

Growing up in Texas, Mahomes admitted he was a “pretty big” Dallas Cowboys fan during his childhood. With the Cowboys being one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, it’s no surprise that Mahomes was drawn to their success. But what’s even more interesting is the player Mahomes admired the most – former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Mahomes revealed that he was a huge fan of Bryant, especially because they both hail from East Texas. “He’s from Lufkin, Texas, so I got to see him play in high school. And then I got to see him play at Oklahoma State and then with the Cowboys, so I was always rooting him on for sure,” Mahomes said.

The connection between the two East Texas natives is clear, and Bryant’s rise to fame was something that Mahomes followed closely throughout his youth.

When asked about his favorite Cowboys teams, Mahomes admitted that he was a bit too young to fully experience the glory days of Troy Aikman and the Super Bowl-winning squads. However, he did fondly remember watching Dez Bryant and Tony Romo light up the field together. Their dynamic on the field was something Mahomes certainly appreciated, and it’s clear that Bryant’s impact on him went beyond just his fandom for the Cowboys.

Now, as Mahomes prepares to face his childhood team with the Kansas City Chiefs, he’ll have to put his fandom aside. The Chiefs enter the game as slight favorites, but they know better than to take the Cowboys lightly. With Dak Prescott leading the charge for Dallas, both teams are in the thick of the playoff race in their respective conferences, making this game even more thrilling.

For Mahomes, this weekend’s matchup is not just another game – it’s a chance to show how far he’s come from rooting for his idol to now being one of the most celebrated quarterbacks in the NFL. While his love for the Cowboys and Dez Bryant will always remain a part of his story, Mahomes is focused on leading the Chiefs to victory and putting his childhood fandom behind him. The clash between the Chiefs and Cowboys is sure to be one for the ages, and Mahomes is ready to take on the challenge head-on.