Patrick Mahomes reached out in a quiet but meaningful way to Tucker Franklin after the Kansas City podcaster announced the death of his father.
Franklin, who hosts the That Football Show podcast on the KC Sports Network, posted the news on X last week and included a tribute to his dad, Doug Franklin. In his message, Franklin wrote, “My dad, Doug Franklin, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away,” and described him as “a great father, phenomenal husband, and an amazing man.”
He added that his father “was the only thing he loved more than the Kansas City Royals” besides his family, and said, “It’s easy in times like these to be upset by all the things you didn’t get to experience. I’m crushed and devastated.”
Franklin continued: “Life is not fair but in these unfair moments, I’m choosing to be thankful for the 28 years I had with a man I was honored to call my father. Though, it should’ve been more.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Among those who saw the post was Mahomes, who sent Franklin a direct message on X last Monday. In the note, Mahomes wrote, “Praying for your family man,” and added, “Chiefs and chiefskingdom is with you. 🙏”
Franklin later shared a screenshot of the message and responded, “I think it’s easy to wonder if the quarterback of your favorite team is actually a good guy.
“We don’t have to wonder about that in KC ❤️”
The gesture was a small one, but for Franklin, it clearly meant a great deal.
In Other News...
Royals Prospect Just Unlocked A Much Bigger Offensive Ceiling
Sam Kulasingam took a swing at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on a night when almost everything he touched turned into damage, piling up six hits and launching two home runs in a 24-4 win over Arkansas. The Royals prospect drove in eight runs, and in doing so turned in the kind of performance that can change the way an organization talks about a players ceiling, especially one whose previous best as a professional had not come close to those totals.
For Kulasingam, it was more than a loud box score line. It was his first multi-homer game, his highest single-game hit total in pro ball and his biggest RBI night since turning pro, with his prior college high in hits coming at Air Force. Nights like this do not always rewrite a prospects profile overnight, but they do give a front office a much clearer picture of what might be coming if the bat keeps catching up to the rest of the package. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Farm System Has One Debate Fans Should Be Watching
A recent episode of Royals Pipeline put Kansas Citys farm system under the microscope, and the conversation offered a reminder that the organizations prospect group is deeper than it may look at first glance. Hosts Jared Perkins and Kevin OBrien were joined by Overslot founder Joe Doyle, who praised the Royals 2026 MLB Draft class and pointed to Zion Rose as a particularly strong pick while also naming Max Yell and Josh Hammond among the players worth tracking.
The larger takeaway for Royals fans is less about one headline prospect and more about how the system is starting to sort itself out. Doyle noted the depth in the pipeline, but also the positional holes that still need attention, which makes the next stretch of development important for a club trying to build a more balanced future roster. With Detroit looming as a divisional competitor, the way Kansas Citys young talent progresses will be worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Stadium Plan Revives A Kansas City Fear Fans Know Too Well
Kansas Citys push to keep the Royals in town is heading back into familiar territory, with officials weighing a plan to help finance a new stadium in Crown Center through $510 million in bonds paid back by fresh tax revenue. The proposal would put the city on the hook for the debt, while the Royals would not be contributing to repayment, a structure that immediately brings up the old worry any taxpayer in this market knows well: what happens if the revenue projections do not come through as hoped?
The comparison to the citys earlier support for the Power & Light District has not been lost on anyone following the discussion, especially since that project eventually required city funds to cover bond payments. City officials say they have taken a more conservative approach this time, but the basic tension remains the same, with the stadium plan asking Kansas City to shoulder the risk in hopes the long-term payoff is worth it. [Read more 🡒]