Patrick Mahomes has established himself as one of the NFL’s most accomplished quarterbacks, winning 3 Super Bowls while posting a Chiefs record career completion percentage of 66.2%.
During Kansas City’s training camp, an errant Mahomes pass intended for wide receiver Andrew Armstrong instead struck offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad in the back of the neck.
After footage of the mishap circulated online, Mahomes joined the joke on August 2 by sharing a meme from the 2005 film The Longest Yard that read, “It slipped. I just ate popcorn.”
An errant throw draws attention at Chiefs camp
The Kansas City Chiefs held a training-camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, on August 1, 2026. During the session, Patrick Mahomes attempted a pass intended for wide receiver Andrew Armstrong.
The throw went off target and struck offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad in the back of the neck. Footage of the mishap subsequently circulated online, prompting Mahomes to respond with a joke on August 2.
The lighthearted clip drew national sports and entertainment coverage during the opening stretch of Chiefs training camp.
The accidental hit on Hunter Nourzad
Mahomes was attempting to throw to wide receiver Andrew Armstrong when the pass went off target and struck Hunter Nourzad in the back of the neck.
Nourzad is a third-year Chiefs offensive lineman who was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He has experience at center and is listed as an interior offensive-line option behind starter Creed Humphrey.
Mahomes later made light of the errant throw online by sharing a meme from The Longest Yard with the line, “It slipped. I just ate popcorn.”
Mahomes turns the blunder into comedy
Mahomes responded to the circulating training-camp clip on August 2 by sharing a meme from Adam Sandler’s 2005 football comedy The Longest Yard.
The meme carried the line, “It slipped. I just ate popcorn,” allowing Mahomes to poke fun at his own errant throw without offering a serious explanation for what caused it.
His brief response added a pop-culture joke to a training-camp mistake that had already attracted attention online.
Hunter Nourzad lands in an unexpected spotlight
Hunter Nourzad unexpectedly became part of a widely circulated Chiefs training-camp clip when Mahomes’ off-target pass struck him in the back of the neck.
The 25-year-old is entering his third season with Kansas City after the Chiefs selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He is listed by the team as an offensive lineman and has worked at center behind Creed Humphrey.
The unusual play briefly put Nourzad at the center of attention during a training camp otherwise focused heavily on roster competition and Mahomes’ return from knee surgery.
Mahomes continues his recovery at training camp
Mahomes entered training camp continuing his rehabilitation from the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that ended his 2025 season. On July 24, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Mahomes had been fully cleared to participate in training-camp practices.
Mahomes stressed that his recovery is not finished. He said the injury is something he expects to manage for the next few years and potentially throughout the remainder of his career while continuing to work toward clearance for regular-season action.
Little-known fact: The Detroit Tigers selected Mahomes as a pitcher in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He did not sign, enrolled at Texas Tech, and briefly played both football and baseball before ultimately focusing on football.
Brittany Mahomes celebrates his return
Brittany Mahomes publicly celebrated her husband’s return to the practice field as Chiefs training camp began. On July 25, she reshared footage of Patrick heading to practice and wrote, “Seeing him back doing what he loves. So thankful.”
She also acknowledged the family separation that comes with training camp, writing that the goodbyes were “getting harder” as Patrick returned to football.
Brittany and the couple’s 3 children later visited Chiefs training camp on August 4 at Missouri Western State University, where they watched Patrick practice as he continued his comeback from knee surgery.
Why fans love this human moment
This kind of moment resonates because it humanizes elite athletes. A champion with three Super Bowl titles can misfire during a simple drill, reminding fans that mistakes happen to everyone, no matter their talent level.
Fans often crave glimpses of personality behind the helmet and the highlight reels. A blooper like this lets people see Mahomes as approachable and relatable, not just a distant superstar chasing another championship every year.
Playful moments such as this one bring teammates and fans closer together, creating shared inside jokes that last well beyond a single afternoon. Sports fandom often thrives on these small, authentic human connections.
Little-known fact: Mahomes’ original 10-year deal signed in 2020 was the largest contract in North American team sports history at the time, worth up to $503 million with bonuses.
TL;DR
- Patrick Mahomes accidentally hit teammate Hunter Nourzad in the head during an August 1, 2026, practice.
- Mahomes was aiming for receiver Andrew Armstrong when the ball slipped from his grip.
- The throw carried little force, so nobody got hurt, and both players laughed it off.
- Mahomes joked about it online, quoting a scene from the movie The Longest Yard.
- Sports Illustrated posted the clip, and it quickly went viral among Chiefs fans.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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