Patrick Mahomes faces backlash for referring to his hair as 'nappy': 'Self-hatred oozes outta him'

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Patrick Mahomes is drawing backlash over remarks he made while discussing his new haircut, as reported by People. 

During an April 23 interview with KCTV 5, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback debuted a shorter hairstyle and joked about holding off on cutting his hair due to superstition.

Patrick Mahomes calls his hair 'nappy' as he talks about his new haircut

Patrick Mahomes shared, “I’ve wanted to do it for a while, but it was kind of one of those superstitions. I kept winning the Super Bowl… I didn’t want to cut the hair while I was doing it."

But it was his next comment that triggered backlash online.

“I can’t believe all you guys let me keep that nappy hair for so long. I look way better now with the short hair,” he said.

Netizens quickly criticized Mahomes for using the term "nappy," a word with a long history of being used derogatorily to describe natural Black hair.

The word "nappy" originated as a racist slur during the era of slavery and has continued to be weaponized against Black people's coily or kinky hair textures.

While some communities have reclaimed the term, others see its usage, particularly in negative contexts, as perpetuating internalized racism.

Internet slams Patrick Mahomes over his 'nappy hair' comment 

As Patrick Mahomes is biracial, his comment didn't sit well among netizens, with one saying, "Oh wow. And yet none of what he said surprises me. Low racial esteem."

Another wrote, "Yea I can’t believe that nappy hair is growing out your white head that’s crazy bro it’s almost like one of your parents is black," and someone else added, "The bad connotation he’s giving to nappy while being half black is the problem here if anyone can’t figure it out, nappy is beautiful and for the most part apart of being black."

Another claimed, "He is married to a white MAGA supporter… none of this should come as a shock. The self hatred oozes outta him at times and it’s pretty wild."

"His father failed him cuz of that ain’t someone black men say about their damn hair," a tweet read. 

Patrick Mahomes' family's proximity to Donald Trump sparks scrutiny

Patrick Mahomes has often avoided overt political statements. He previously said he aims to encourage voter engagement rather than publicly endorse a candidate.

However, his family’s proximity to President Donald Trump has added another layer to the scrutiny.

Brittany Mahomes, his wife, faced backlash last year for liking a pro-Trump Instagram post.

When confronted, she fired back on her Instagram Stories: “To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep-rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood.”

Meanwhile, Trump has spoken favorably about Brittany, calling her a “big Trump fan” during a 'Fox & Friends' interview and saying he preferred her over Taylor Swift, who publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president, as per Fox News.

Tensions rose further when the quarterback’s mother, Randi Martin, brother, Jackson Mahomes, and his sister, Mia Randall, were photographed in Trump’s suite at the 2025 Super Bowl, with fans and netizens questioning the football star's public image and affiliations.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.