• Patrick Mahomes' use of the word 'nappy' to describe his former hair sparked criticism on social media.
• Commenters found the term insensitive given its historical usage as a derogatory term for Black people's hair and Mahomes' biracial identity.
• The controversy is amplified by past reactions to Brittany Mahomes' perceived political leanings and the family's association with Donald Trump.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is facing criticism after describing his previous hairstyle as 'nappy' during an April 23 interview with KCTV 5, where he debuted his new, shorter haircut. The term sparked immediate backlash on social media, with users pointing to its historical use as a derogatory term for Black people's textured hair. The controversy is further complicated by previous public perceptions of Mahomes' family's potential political affiliations, specifically regarding support for Donald Trump.

• What: Patrick Mahomes used the term 'nappy' to describe his hair before getting a haircut, sparking online backlash.
• Who: Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mahomes, social media users, Donald Trump, KCTV 5.
• When: The comment was made during an April 23 interview. Backlash occurred following the interview and sharing of the clip on X. Previous related events mentioned occurred in August and September 2024, and during the 2025 Super Bowl.
• Where: Interview conducted with KCTV 5. Social media backlash primarily on X (formerly Twitter).

The controversy surrounding Patrick Mahomes' use of the term 'nappy' highlights the sensitivity surrounding language and racial connotations. The backlash underscores the importance of considering historical context when using certain terms, especially in public forums. The situation is compounded by previous perceptions of the Mahomes family's political leanings, creating a confluence of factors contributing to the public's reaction. This incident reveals the ongoing scrutiny that public figures face and the potential for seemingly innocuous comments to trigger significant controversy.

I’ve wanted to do it for a while, but it was kind of one of those superstitions. I kept winning the Super Bowl, which is a good thing, but I didn’t want to cut the hair while I was doing it.

I’m very excited. I’ve looked at some videos from last year and I can’t believe all you guys let me keep that nappy hair for so long. I look way better now with the short hair, so I’ll be keeping this going forward.

I mean honestly. To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep-rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood. There's no reason your brain is fully developed and you hate to see others doing well.

Well, I actually like Mrs. Mahomes much better, if you want to know the truth. I was not a Taylor fan.

Patrick Mahomes' haircut comments have generated considerable controversy due to his choice of words and the historical context surrounding the term 'nappy.' This incident serves as a reminder of the potential for language to spark backlash, especially when coupled with existing perceptions of public figures and their associations. While Mahomes may not have intended any harm, the incident underscores the need for awareness and sensitivity in public discourse. The situation is further complicated by pre-existing perceptions of his family's political leanings, highlighting the interconnectedness of celebrity, social issues, and political discourse.