Andy Reid has seen almost everything one could imagine throughout a football lifetime. One of the best NFL head coaches of all time, the Kansas City Chiefs’ head man has become synonymous with his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
This week, Reid shook the hand of a young man who has become known as a Mahomes impersonator despite being early in his own career.
Reid attended Nebraska’s arrival at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, welcoming Dylan Raiola and the rest of the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska will face Cincinnati on Thursday night, and Raiola’s presence will draw plenty of attention. The Cornhuskers are expected to take a big leap in his sophomore season.
But seeing Reid shake Raiola’s hand and share some encouraging words was a bit strange. It’s not often to see one athlete so blatantly look like someone else, let alone it be a quarterback emulating a current NFL future Hall of Famer.
Over the last two years, Raiola has often been seen around Nebraska’s campus with a dad bod, ski-like sunglasses, broccoli hair, and a couple of chains. It’s been impossible to deny that Raiola looks awfully similar to Mahomes. Even on the field, Raiola has meticulously copied major parts of the Super Bowl champion’s game.
Everything from Raiola’s build, arm throwing angles, number (No. 15), pocket movement, and footwork resembles Mahomes. It’s as if Raiola specifically studied his mannerisms and only repeats them.
Nevertheless, the former five-star passer is looking to carve out his own career. Completing 67.1% of his attempts for 2,819 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions as a freshman, Raiola is an intriguing talent. We’ll find out if Nebraska can help the physically gifted talent reach his ceiling soon enough.
Mahomes previously said he doesn’t mind Raiola taking his look and style, likening it to his own childhood.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s cool, honestly. I mean, I was that guy,” Mahomes said when asked about Raiola mimicking him. “I loved Alex Rodriguez, played shortstop, and would try to make plays just like him and do stuff like that, and it helped me become the athlete that I am. It’s just telling me I’m getting a little old. I think that the biggest thing is that you have these guys that are coming up and doing some of the sidearm stuff and everything like that. But I know Dylan, I train with them in the offseasons, great kid, a great football player, and I think he’s gonna make his own stamp on the game. And I think you’ve seen that early in his career.”
