BREAKING: NFL Superstar Patrick Mahomes Immortalized with Induction into Texas High School Football Hall of Fame

Patrick Mahomes Inducted into Texas High School Football Hall of Fame: A Celebration of a Hometown Hero

WACO, Texas – On Saturday, May 10, 2025, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II was officially inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor recognizing his extraordinary achievements as a standout athlete at Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, Texas. The private ceremony, held at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, celebrated Mahomes as the representative of the 2010s decade, alongside a distinguished class of nine inductees, including Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III and acclaimed coach Jeff Traylor.

Mahomes, a native of Tyler, Texas, has long been a household name in the NFL, with three Super Bowl victories, three Super Bowl MVP awards, and two NFL MVP honors to his name. However, this induction shines a spotlight on the roots of his remarkable journey, honoring the high school career that laid the foundation for his meteoric rise. At Whitehouse High School, Mahomes was a three-sport star, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. It was on the gridiron, however, where he truly began to showcase the skills that would make him a global icon.

During his senior year in 2013, Mahomes delivered a jaw-dropping performance for the Whitehouse Wildcats, throwing for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns while adding 948 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. His dual-threat ability and electrifying playstyle earned him the MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year award for 2013–14, a testament to his dominance across multiple sports. In football alone, he amassed over 8,000 passing yards and 90 touchdowns in his final two seasons, numbers that underscored his potential even as a lightly recruited three-star prospect.

“Patrick Mahomes II excelled for the Whitehouse Wildcats, throwing for more than 8,000 yards and 90 touchdowns in his final two high school seasons,” a narrator declared in a tribute video shared by the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. “The Texas High School Football Hall of Fame recognizes those who impacted the game beyond compare in a state where excellence is the standard.”

Mahomes’ induction into the Hall of Fame is particularly poignant given his underdog story. Despite his prodigious talent, he received only three college scholarship offers—from Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Rice—largely because he didn’t attend elite football camps or focus solely on football. His high school coach, Adam Cook, reflected on this oversight with a chuckle: “Who’s that guy that’s putting those stars beside their names? He needs to be fired because he missed out on Patrick.” Cook noted that Mahomes’ lack of “pedigree” compared to other highly touted recruits didn’t diminish his impact, which has since reshaped how scouts evaluate talent.

The Class of 2025, which includes Mahomes, represents a broad spectrum of Texas high school football history, with one player inducted for each decade from the 1960s to the 2010s, alongside coaching and contributor honorees. Other notable inductees include Gary Keithley (Alvin, 1960s), Pat Thomas (Plano, 1970s), Brad Goebel (Cuero, 1980s), John C. Norman (Midland Lee, 1990s), and Robert Griffin III (Copperas Cove, 2000s). Coaches Jeff Traylor, who led Gilmer High School to three state titles, and Curtis Barbay, who amassed 317 wins at Newton High School, were also honored, as was longtime broadcaster David Smoak, recognized as the Dave Campbell Contributor to the Game.

Mahomes’ induction sparked pride across his hometown and beyond. His mother, Randi Mahomes, shared a heartfelt message on social media, writing, “So proud of you son @patrickmahomes,” alongside a post about his Hall of Fame honor. The ceremony, while private, was preceded by a press conference at the SWC Gallery of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, underscoring the significance of the event in a state where high school football is a cultural cornerstone.

The honor adds to Mahomes’ growing list of accolades, which already includes induction into the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor in 2022. Yet, this recognition feels uniquely personal, tying the NFL superstar back to his East Texas roots. As a teenager, Mahomes honed his craft under the Friday night lights, balancing football with basketball, where he averaged nearly 20 points per game, and baseball, where he threw a 16-strikeout no-hitter and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014. His decision to focus on football, influenced by his mother’s encouragement, set the stage for a career that has redefined the quarterback position.

The Texas High School Football Hall of Fame induction also sparked discussion about other notable Texas quarterbacks, particularly Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, who was surprisingly omitted from the 2025 class. Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has called Murray “the best Texas high school football player to ever play,” citing his flawless high school record. While Mahomes’ high school stats were stellar, his selection over Murray highlights his transformative impact on the game, both in Texas and beyond.

As Mahomes stood among the 2025 inductees, his journey from a multisport athlete in Whitehouse to a three-time Super Bowl champion served as a reminder of Texas’ rich football legacy. “Out of all those guys, I don’t think any of them impacted the game the way Patrick has,” Coach Cook said, reflecting on Mahomes’ ability to change how quarterbacks are scouted and celebrated.

With his induction on May 10, 2025, Patrick Mahomes II cemented his place not only as an NFL legend but as a Texas high school football icon—a hometown hero whose story continues to inspire underdog athletes across the Lone Star State and beyond.