Although Patrick Mahomes has already earned an unmatched collection of regular season victories, AFC championships, and Super Bowl trophies, some critics continue to question his status as the NFL’s top quarterback. Instead of focusing on his impressive game performances or recent passing statistics, these detractors have targeted Mahomes’ physique, labeling his body type as a “dad bod.”

Kansas City sports radio host Kevin Kietzman sparked controversy by calling Mahomes both “fat” and an “embarrassment,” attacking the star quarterback‘s fitness during the offseason. Kietzman voiced his frustrations over Mahomes’ conditioning choices late last year.

Stop the fast food, do a sit-up, do something. I don’t understand it. You can’t just run through your NFL career eating Taco Bell all the time and DoorDash-ing fried chicken. You’ve got a $500 million contract; it’s your job. He’s done nothing but eat and drink this offseason.

Backlash Grows Within the Football Community Over Fitness Comments

Kietzman’s remarks quickly triggered backlash from fans and analysts who regard Mahomes as one of the league’s finest players. As the criticism spread beyond local airwaves, several prominent sports figures publicly rejected these claims. John Middlekauff, a respected former NFL scout, strongly defended Mahomes against the body-shaming narrative.

I don’t pay my quarterback to have abs,

Middlekauff emphasized in response to the fitness debate.

Honestly, that is completely irrelevant. My quarterback, especially a guy like Patrick Mahomes, is literally paid when it’s 20 to 20, in the fourth quarter, against the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, or against the Buffalo Bills. ‘Can you keep the drive going on 3rd and 6?’ And as he’s answered for seven or eight years, ‘F**k yes I can.’

Middlekauff conveyed the principle that success on the field outweighs physical appearance, stating,

I don’t pay for body mass index, you pay for completions.

This perspective reflects a larger trend in NFL discussions where elite quarterbacks’ bodies have often attracted scrutiny despite their winning records.

Comparisons to Tom Brady Highlight Longstanding Prejudices on Athlete Fitness

The focus on Mahomes’ physique is not without precedent, as Tom Brady’s body type has similarly been the subject of jokes throughout his career. Even after his five Super Bowl victories, Brady faced criticism over his less muscular frame. A 2017 Instagram post shared by TMZ stoked commentary about his physical appearance, highlighting how widely such judgments persist.

Several commenters remarked disparagingly on Brady’s photo:

I would remove this picture. Not attractive,

one wrote, while another remarked,

Damn… worst dad bod ever… wtf?

The reactions even included emojis expressing disgust. Unlike Brady, Mahomes had defenders ready to respond to such attacks.

Trainer Bobby Stroupe Steps Up to Defend Mahomes’ Conditioning and Commitment

Bobby Stroupe, Patrick Mahomes’ trainer, challenged Kietzman’s accusations directly in a now-deleted tweet thread. Stroupe emphasized the rigorous demands of Mahomes’ training and game-day performance, highlighting that physical appearance does not equate to athletic capability.

Stroupe wrote,

“You obviously need attention… If you want to see what in shape is, go make it through a practice at Saint Jo or run hurry-up offense scrambling back-to-back to back plays. You don’t have a clue what it takes. It’s not a look, it’s performance.”

This defense reinforces the idea that body-shaming professional athletes, especially those who deliver results under pressure, is both unfounded and disrespectful.

Growing Awareness Against Body Shaming in Professional Football Culture

The NFL has long been associated with a highly competitive and often aggressive environment, but this recent episode reveals a shift toward rejecting derogatory comments about players’ physiques. Patrick Mahomes’ ability to consistently perform at an elite level remains the ultimate measure of his value, and voices like John Middlekauff’s serve to remind fans and critics alike that body image should not overshadow athletic achievement.

As debates continue over the standards for athlete fitness, it is clear that results on the field carry more weight than superficial judgments. Mahomes’ prominence and performance are likely to keep this discussion alive while underscoring the importance of respect for players’ dedication regardless of their appearance.