While fans have trolled Patrick Mahomes’ ‘dad bod’ since it went viral during the playoffs in January, his coach revealed the benefits of the quarterback’s physique.
talking to PEOPLEMahomes’ coach, Bobby Stroupe, revealed that the three-time Super Bowl MVP’s not-so-thin figure is ideal for his position and level of play.
Additionally, Stroupe, with whom Mahomes has been working since he was nine, noted that he didn’t care at all about his client’s appearance.
“I’ll be the first to tell you that I think an NFL quarterback should be at least 14% body fat,” Stroupe says. ‘It is not from an unhealthy point of view, but from the point of view of force absorption. You have to be able to make contact.’
“We know there aren’t many quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame who have six-pack abs and there’s a reason for that,” he explains. ‘We have to find that fine line between performance and health. And the aesthetic part is a different conversation.”
Patrick Mahomes’ coach revealed why his ‘dad bod’ is the ideal physique for a quarterback
The Kansas City Chiefs star has been working with Bobby Stroupe since he was 9 years old.
“I don’t need him to look like a model because the way he chooses to play requires a certain type of physique, and that physique requires more body fat,” Stroupe added. “That’s a core belief I have for him.”
Stroupe and Mahomes train four to five days a week during the NFL offseason. However, given Mahomes’ family and busy schedule, his sessions range from more than four hours to 90 minutes, time permitting.
‘During the season the situation is different because football is the priority. The big days for us are the day after the game,” he shared. ‘When most people rest the day after the game, we really work.
“There’s about three to three and a half hours of soft tissue work, mobility work, range of motion work and just general health,” Stroupe continued. “Trying to make sure that the 26 bones of the foot, the 640 muscles, the 12 fascial lines, everything is functioning.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs are 3-0 to start the season as they seek their third straight title.
The trainer also added how he added unconventional methods to Mahomes’ regimen, including gymnastics, javelin training, and martial arts exercises.
“There are some things you wouldn’t think an NFL quarterback would do, but we’ve found Patrick responds very well to this system and this approach.”
After winning their second straight Super Bowl in February, Mahomes and the Chiefs are 3-0 to start the season. Now in his eighth year in the NFL, Mahomes’ mantra has been “be the best you” as he looks to achieve longevity in his career, Stroupe tells PEOPLE.
“He’s one of the most unique athletes we’ve seen in any sport ever and he has to focus on being Patrick,” Stroupe says. “If he tried to emulate Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, we wouldn’t have the benefit of seeing someone like him play this game at this level.”
“And no matter how many rings he wins, no matter how many MVPs, in each game we can identify things he can do better,” he adds. “There are unlimited opportunities to improve.”