Would Patrick Mahomes be a Great Trap Shooter?

Posted On: 02-22-2023

David R. Vaught, Ph.D.

In a very quick word the answer is yes!  Let me walk you through my logic.  First I want to break this down to before he enters the field, on the field and after he leaves the field. 

Patrick Mahomes is a creature of habit.  Admittedly he is not that quirky.  He has a routine the week before a game that includes eating the same foods, being timely, going through the game plan, and even not replacing his shampoo bottle if it runs out before a game as that can be bad luck.  As a trap shooter he would also employ the same routines I would think.  He might make sure to eat properly before a shoot to ensure any discomfort is avoided.  I am sure in his head he would visualize hitting targets at each station, thinking through the environmental picture of the range, the weather, whatever conditions might influence his shooting.  I also believe he would get a few superstitions confirmed, like maybe the shells he would shoot, his gun, his clothes, shoes, hat and glasses.  It would all have to be just right. 

On the field as I watch him he seems to understand the play as it evolves.  He sees the moving targets and while many exist he sorts out the correct movement, leads it and throws the football perfectly ahead of the receiver.  That immaculate reception potential that requires the intersection of the receiver and a thrown football is a sight to behold.  As a trap shooter he would do the same.  He would approach the line, visualize the play or targets to be thrown and in his head automatically figure out the lead necessary to hit a hard left on station 1.  The same as a play in football he would analyze, construct a plan in his head and execute it perfectly each time.  His ability to do so on the football field would serve him well on the trap line. 

Finally, as a professional, but one with a humble path to the top, he is appreciative of all that are around him.  After a game seldom do you hear him say the word “I”.  He recognizes all the people that helped in his teams’ success.  He is sharing, charitable and positive even in a loss about his opponents.  Would you not want him on your team?  Consider his actions after a shoot.  He would be enthusiastic of his fellow shooters, he would embrace success the same as failure and he would constantly be pushing all around him to be better while pushing himself even harder.  Again, wouldn’t he be a great teammate? 

As a youth I sought out athletes to emulate.  For me it was the famous Cardinals outfielder and first baseman Stan The Man Musial.  I had his gloves, bats and pictures, but I did not have social media to know even more about him and his personality.  Today we have all of this this to help us dig deeper into the traits we want to emulate.  Patrick Mahomes is a good role model and one that exudes positive traits we can take to the range with us.  Or in other words can we ask, “What would Patrick do”?