‘Patrick Mahomes Propagandist.’ That’s what reporter Tucker Franklin’s wrote on his X bio. But the message that he posted about the Kansas City Chiefs QB came straight from the heart.
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It happened just a day after Franklin battled one of the toughest moments in his life. The reporter shared the news of his father, Doug Franklin, passing away at the age of 55.
“He was a great father, phenomenal husband, and an amazing man,” Tucker said. “The only thing he loved more than the Kansas City Royals was his family. He will be greatly missed. It’s easy in times like these to be upset by all the things you didn’t get to experience. I’m crushed and devastated.
“Life is not fair, but in these unfair moments, I’m choosing to be thankful for the 28 years I had with a man I was honored to call my father. Though it should’ve been more. Thank you, Dad.”
Messages of support poured in for Tucker, as the community mourned the loss of a valuable member of the Kansas City Community. Doug Franklin was a teacher, a pastor, and served as a firefighter for the Trenton Fire Department and Grundy County Rural Fire Protection District. He became a lieutenant in 2015 and later served as a training officer, helping prepare the next generation of firefighters.
And that’s when Patrick Mahomes entered the picture. Instead of a message on social media, Mahomes personally reached out to Tucker by text, with the reporter sharing the message on X.
“Praying for your family, man. Chiefs and Chiefskingdom is with you!” Mahomes said. To which Franklin replied, “Man, thank you so much for reaching out. Means more than you’ll know. I appreciate you.”
“I think it’s easy to wonder if the quarterback of your favorite team is actually a good guy,” Tucker D. Franklin said on X. “We don’t have to wonder about that in KC ❤️”
For Franklin, this was a big moment. After all, Sports were woven into Franklin’s childhood; he wore a Royals onesie in his newborn hospital photo. Later, his Elvis Grbac jersey became his “Sunday best” when he was in preschool.
As he grew up, Franklin watched Chiefs quarterback Trent Green and Royals star Carlos Beltran. He loved playing with a ball and following his hometown teams. And when he grew up, he used his sports media degree from Northwest Missouri State University to work around the team he grew up with.
And to have the QB of the same team reach out personally during a troubling time was a heartwarming moment for the reporter and the fans.
It wouldn’t be the first time Mahomes has made a gesture for the Kansas City community. We’ve seen him work with charities and initiatives that support many people. But Mahomes’ respect and love for the Chiefs community is what sets him apart.
Take one moment from 2021. When Kansas City Star writer Terez Paylor passed away in February at the age of 37, Mahomes had a message. Paylor had seen him arrive as a rookie and turn himself into a Super Bowl winner. That’s why, when Mahomes looked back at Paylor’s legacy, he made sure to pay tribute.
“I thought Terez was what a big-time NFL writer should be. He asked insightful questions, not cliché questions. I always knew when he was going to interview me that he’d be prepared. He’d have done his homework. I think some of the best stories written about me came from him—he asked questions that made me think, and so I’d give him good answers back.”
“He knew he didn’t see many people from his race, people who looked like him, climbing the ladder in sports journalism. He wanted that to change, and I respected the heck out of him for that.”
Mahomes has carried that same spirit to this day. He keeps showing up for fans after games, signing autographs, making the extra effort.
Earlier in training camp, after the first padded practice in the August heat, Patrick Mahomes stayed behind to sign autographs for young fans, some of whom had tears in their eyes after meeting the QB.
It’s an important reminder that Mahomes has made a space for himself, not just with the Chiefs but with Kansas City.
Our thoughts are with Tucker Franklin and his family.