Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes recently made a playful bet centered around their alma maters’ football game, which became a highlight of their week. Jim Nantz of CBS reported that Mahomes’ Texas Tech Red Raiders came out victorious over Kelce’s Cincinnati Bearcats, with Texas Tech securing a 44-41 win in a thrilling game.
The wager had some lighthearted stakes: had Cincinnati won, Mahomes would have been required to attend his next press conference sporting a Bearcats jersey and the school’s mascot head. However, with Texas Tech emerging victorious, it’s Kelce who will now need to wear the Red Raiders jersey and mascot head on a future episode of his podcast, New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. The episode will undoubtedly entertain fans eager to see Kelce honor the bet in good fun.
Jim Nantz commented on the strong bond between Kelce and Mahomes, saying, “They have such a friendship and chemistry. They were excited about watching their two alma maters square off, and it ended up being an unbelievable game.”
The thrilling match came down to the wire, with Cincinnati missing a 50-yard field goal on the final play, sealing the win for Texas Tech and giving Mahomes the upper hand in their friendly bet.
But what makes this lighthearted wager even more interesting is that it happened just after the passing of Pete Rose, the most infamous sports bettor in professional sports history. Rose, a legendary baseball player known for being one of the greatest hitters of all time, passed away after a controversial career that was overshadowed by his involvement in sports betting. While playing and managing in Major League Baseball, Rose placed numerous bets on games, including ones involving his own team, leading to a permanent ban from baseball in 1989.
During his playing career, Rose was a 17-time All-Star and is still MLB’s all-time hits leader, yet his legacy was marred by his gambling scandal. Known as “Charlie Hustle” for his aggressive style of play, Rose became the face of one of the biggest controversies in sports history when his betting came to light. His gambling not only led to his ban from the Hall of Fame but also served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing professional sports with betting.
The connection between Kelce and Mahomes’ friendly bet and Rose’s tragic downfall underscores the stark contrast between lighthearted fun and the serious consequences of sports gambling. While Kelce and Mahomes’ wager was a playful bet that will result in nothing more than some laughs on Kelce’s podcast, Rose’s involvement in sports betting altered the course of his life and career forever.
Featured image: Perry Knotts/Getty Images
