Patrick Mahomes did not wear swastika at Super Bowl
- Published on February 13, 2024 at 18:02
- 3 min read
- By AFP USA
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"You're a nazi @PatrickMahomes," a February 12 post on X -- formerly Twitter -- claims. Liked thousands of times, it highlights a symbol on the sweatband worn by Mahomes and likens it to a pro-Nazi symbol.
Similar claims circulated elsewhere on X (also here and here) and Reddit. But these are false; his headband at the Super Bowl did not showcase a Nazi symbol; instead, it displayed the quarterback's team number, #15.
The number is partially obscured by his ear as he turns his head to speak, but the full footage of the post-game interview with CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson that was used to take a screenshot of Mahomes shows the number clearly (archived here).
An AFP photo of Mahomes that same night also shows the #15 on his bandana.
A photo from the sidelines, taken for Getty Images by photographer Jamie Squire, also shows the number on the headband.
Mahomes was named the Super Bowl MVP on February 11, as the Chiefs snatched a thrilling come from behind 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He has worn the number 15 since he was drafted to the team, choosing to retain it in 2018 even after the number 5, which he sported in college at Texas Tech, became available.
The Chiefs have faced additional scrutiny this season as tight end Travis Kelce made his high-profile romance with superstar musician Taylor Swift public. Kelce and Swift have been the target of multiple conspiracy theories.
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