Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham made comments sure to rile up Kansas City Chiefs fans this week, suggesting Patrick Mahomes faked an injury in the Super Bowl to appear tough for the cameras.
Kansas City defeated the Eagles, 38-35, and Mahomes played through a widely-reported ankle sprain he sustained earlier in the playoffs. But Graham, who spoke as if he didn't know the two-time MVP quarterback's name, wasn't buying it.
"When the first half came [to an end], we were in there and I was more thinking like, 'What's his name (Mahomes) went in there on the sideline and he's looking like he's hurt. We've got to get to him, we've got to get to him,'" Graham told JAKIB Sports. "He came out, you can tell how tough he is, man, but that boy acted good. He sure put that face up [like he was hurt]."
Graham didn't record a stat in the Super Bowl after enjoying a career year in the regular season with 11 sacks. He is well-known for making bold comments to the media.
Mahomes sustained the ankle injury on January 21 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his leg bending awkwardly after a defender fell on top of him while attempting to bring him down. The Chiefs carefully monitored his status for the remainder of the playoffs, but he didn't miss any games.
He appeared to re-aggravate the ankle problem in the Super Bowl, limping off the field near the end of the second quarter after Eagles linebacker T. J. Edwards spun him down as he tried to convert a third-and-15 with his legs. The passer returned to lead a comeback win and earn his second championship trophy in five seasons as his organisation's starter.
The Texas Tech alumni has built up an image as a resilient player after participating in 79 of 82 possible regular season games as the Chiefs' first-choice quarterback.
In addition to his comments about Mahomes, Graham expressed frustration at the playing surface in State Farm Stadium. The defender claimed that if it wasn't so slippery, his team would have better contained Kansas City's offense. The Chiefs amassed 340 yards.
"I just knew that when I saw Sweaty (Josh Sweat) when we looked at the film, there were a couple of times where if Sweaty doesn't slip, strip-sack," Graham said. "Oh my god, especially that first drive when he (Mahomes) threw it across the middle to (Travis) Kelce, he was right there. He slipped, and we could not believe it."
Graham added: "When I looked at the film, it was just like 'Man, oh man. We're going to get that on the get-back. That's coming back.'"
The 35-year-old did offer some conciliation, adding: "Credit to Kansas City, man. It's all love. Them boys, they played too. They played on that surface, too."
But the Chiefs, who recently scoffed at Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase taking a slight shot at Mahomes, will undoubtedly still take issue with Graham's remarks.
