Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass to running back Jerick McKinnon (1) during the first half of the AFC championship NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
"Since he got hurt several weeks ago, I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been asked that question," Hunt said.
CHIEFS’ PATRICK MAHOMES FOCUSES ON FAITH AHEAD SUPER BOWL LVII: ‘IT HAS A ROLE IN EVERYTHING I DO’
"The great thing is Patrick’s a very fast healer and he was able to get ready to play the AFC Championship game in a week on that high ankle sprain and did just an amazing job, including making the pivotal play at the end of the game that helped us win it – on his legs.
"He’s doing great this week. I don’t know that he’ll be at 100%, but he sure is going to tell you otherwise," he continued.
Clark Hunt, CEO and chairman of the Kansas City Chiefs, greets Patrick Mahomes, #15, on the football field during the celebration of the team's victory over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, during a press conference with the media, head coach Andy Reid made a similar assessment of Mahome’s ankle.
"I wouldn’t tell you he’s 100%, but the training staff works with him endlessly. I guess it would be a tribute to both of them – for Pat coming back for more and for those guys cranking on him," Reid said Tuesday.
Mahomes was voted NFL MVP for the second time in his career on Thursday night, after leading the Chiefs to their fifth straight AFC Championship game appearance and their third Super Bowl in just four seasons.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 27-20 defeat of Jacksonville in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
But Hunt largely credited that success to coach Reid, who joined the organization in 2013 after 14 years as the Eagles' head coach.
"Well, it’s definitely been a special period for the Kansas City Chiefs, and really the big change goes back a decade, when Andy Reid walked into our offices to become the head coach," Hunt said Friday.
"He has just done a tremendous job of changing the culture and just making us a consistent winner.