Like many Chiefs fans, general manager Brett Veach saw the viral video of quarterback Patrick Mahomes pickup basketball moves and was concerned.
The fear of an injury to the NFLs Most Valuable Player led Veach to place a call to Mahomes agent, Leigh Steinberg.
As soon as I saw it, it probably took me about 2 seconds to call his agent and tell him that was a big no-no, Veach told Soren Petro of WHB (810 AM) on Thursday.
The Kingdom can rest assure that we have that under control: no more basketball for Pat.
Mahomes is competitive in all he does, Veach said, so that makes it hard for Mahomes to kick back and just shoot hoops.
He doesnt have that filter in his mind to kind of just have fun, and not take everything so competitively, Veach said.
Thats why the Chiefs hope Mahomes basketball days are over.
We were able to nip that in the bud and we feel good with the plan of no basketball with Pat moving forward, Veach told Petro.
But San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, a vice president of the NFL Players Association executive committee, wondered if Veach had the right to deny Mahomes the right to play basketball. Sherman tweeted: Haha yea thats gonna work. If they dont want him hooping then put it in the contract. Its not there so he can do as he pleases. Most players do
Mahomes contract does not explicitly prohibit him from playing basketball. Part 3 of an NFLs player contract addresses other activities.
Here is what it says: Without prior written consent of the Club, Player will not play football or engage in activities related to football otherwise than for Club or engage in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury. Player represents that he has special, exceptional and unique knowledge, skill, ability, and experience as a football player, the loss of which cannot be estimated with any certainty and cannot be fairly or adequately compensated by damages. Player therefore agrees that Club will have the right, in addition to any other right which Club may possess, to enjoin Player by appropriate proceedings from playing football or engaging in football-related activities other than for Club or from engaging in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.
Veach, speaking later Thursday on a conference call with reporters, said his conversation with Mahomes was lighthearted.
Youre breaking a lot of ankles out there, Veach said, just make sure youre not breaking your own.
