From the Diamond to the Super Bowl: Kelce, Brown, and Mahomes' Forgotten Baseball Roots

Football fans know Travis Kelce, A.J. Brown, and Patrick Mahomes for their dominance on the field, but what many don’t realize is that all three once had legitimate paths in baseball. Before they became NFL standouts, each briefly pursued careers on the diamond—offering a fascinating 'what if' in the world of sports.

Travis Kelce’s Brief Stint in Baseball

In 2010, Kelce was suspended from the University of Cincinnati football team for marijuana use, leaving his future in football uncertain. During this time, he turned to baseball, playing in a collegiate wooden-bat league that summer. Former Cincinnati baseball coach and current Washington Nationals scout Brian Cleary recalled Kelce’s raw talent, saying, “As they take in-and-out [warmups] and as he’s playing pregame, it’s the best thrower of a baseball I’ve ever seen, to this day, in my life.”  New York Post

While Kelce eventually returned to football and built a Hall of Fame-worthy career, his natural throwing ability left some wondering what he could have achieved in baseball.

A.J. Brown: Drafted by the Padres

Unlike Kelce, A.J. Brown didn’t just dabble in baseball—he was drafted. In the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres selected Brown, making him one of the rare athletes to be drafted in professional baseball while still playing college football.

What made Brown’s situation unique was his contract agreement with the Padres. He signed a deal that allowed him to receive financial compensation while still maintaining his NCAA eligibility for football at Ole Miss. This meant he could continue training with the Padres during the offseason while playing wide receiver in the SEC.

Brown later admitted he was “dead serious” about playing for the Padres but ultimately focused on football. Judging by his current success with the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s hard to argue with his choice, but the potential of an MLB career was real.

Patrick Mahomes: Following His Father's Footsteps?

Patrick Mahomes' baseball pedigree is well known—his father, Pat Mahomes, was a Major League pitcher, and young Patrick grew up around the game. As a high schooler, Mahomes was a highly regarded baseball prospect, even receiving interest from MLB teams. Alex Rodriguez, a mentor to Mahomes, once tried to steer him away from football, telling him, “Patrick, there is no future in football. You are a baseball player.”

Mahomes was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft but chose to play football at Texas Tech instead. His arm talent on the football field—a trait that makes him one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history—could have made him a standout pitcher or infielder in professional baseball.

The Ultimate ‘What If’

Kelce, Brown, and Mahomes are all thriving in the NFL, but their baseball journeys highlight how different their paths could have been. Whether it was Kelce’s rocket arm, Brown’s pro potential, or Mahomes' deep baseball roots, each had a real shot at making it in the sport.

Could they have made it to The Show? We’ll never know, but their brief baseball careers remain an intriguing footnote in their athletic legacies.