The internet is analysing every possible camera angle of the moment Patrick Mahomes went to hug Travis Kelce — and drama erupted.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback had one of the worst days of his career ad his team was totally outclassed 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
There were plenty of cameras following Mahomes as he walked down the sidelines following the devastating loss — and it showed him embracing every teammate he walked past. Except one.
The 29-year-old appeared to snub running back Samaje Perine while shaking hands with everyone else, The New York Post reports.
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Perine, who signed with Kansas City last August, stood up and appeared to motion for a handshake, but Mahomes bypassed him for tight end Travis Kelce, as seen in a video that has gone viral on social media.
The longtime teammates, who are close friends off of the field, shared an emotional moment together.
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Patrick Mahomes hug with Travis Kelce said it all. Photo: X and @SharpFootball.
They shared a brief exchange and a hug, but it is unclear what was said.
Mahomes stirred buzz on social media, with some calling the moment that he seemingly snubbed Perine “weird.”
One version of the video shared by ESPN SportsCenter has more than 7.4 million views.
Perine — who spent four seasons in Cincinnati, before signing with Denver in 2023 — and Mahomes have yet to address the moment as of Tuesday (AEDT).
The 26-year-old played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ postseason, including scoring the game-winning touchdown in the AFC Championship against the Bills.
Mahomes took responsibility for the Super Bowl loss in a message posted to his X account after the game.
“Appreciate all the love and support from #ChiefsKingdom. I let y’all down today,” Mahomes wrote. “I’ll always continue to work and try and learn and be better for it. Want to give thanks to God for every opportunity he has given me.
“We will be back.”
Samaje Perine must be invisible. Photo: X.Source: Supplied
Everyone got a hug. Except for one teammate. Photo: X, @SharpFootball.Source: Supplied
Mahomes failed to the get the Chiefs’ offense going.
He threw two interceptions, including a pick-six to Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday.
Mahomes was sacked by Philadelphia’s top-ranked defence a career-high six times and took 11 hits.
The Chiefs were chasing a historic three-peat after defeating the Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl 2023 and then beating the 49ers 25-22 in overtime last year.
Mahomes won his second of three Super Bowl MVP awards after the Chiefs’ victory over the Eagles in Glendale, Az. two years ago.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts took home this year’s Super Bowl MVP award.
He finished with 293 total yards (221 running yards, 72 running yards) and a touchdown.
It was noted during the match that it was an insult for the Chiefs to have to swallow the cold hard truth that Hurts completely dominated his opposition quarterback.
After Hurts found DeVonta Smith with a 46-yard throw for a back-breaking touchdown in the third quarter ESPN’s Louis Riddick pointed out that seeing Mahomes get outplayed was the last thing the Chiefs expected — when Hurts was supposed to be the Eagles’ weak link.
Riddick said on ESPN: “The ultimate heartbreak for Kansas City fans, for the coaching staff, for the players, everything, is that the one guy (running back Saquon Barkley), who all week you said we have to take away in order to make sure we stay in this game, you’ve pretty much neutralised him – and the guy you said you want to make him beat us – and if he does we’ll tip our cap – well start tipping your cap because Jalen Hurts has shredded you”.
