Caitlin Clark did what Patrick Mahomes couldn’t do as Chiefs star scarred from bad experience

Caitin Clark boosted her star power by making her the most of her appearance on Saturday Night Live – as Patrick Mahomes looks to make his show debut after overcoming past fears

Caitlin Clark achieved the milestone of appearing on Saturday Night Live (SNL) before turning pro, a feat typically reserved for established elite athletes.

The achievement trumped three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes, who declined an initial offer to appear on the iconic program due to personal concerns. During the April 13 episode of SNL, Clark, who is a massive Chiefs fan, appeared in the show’s “Weekend Update” segment, humorously challenging host Michael Che’s past remarks about women’s sports. At the time, she was in New York for the WNBA Draft and later became the top overall pick as the new point guard for the Indiana Fever.

The Fever guard’s SNL appearance garnered widespread praise on social media, particularly among fans of women’s sports, who celebrated her ability to draw attention to the game, especially as she transitioned to the pros. She was commended for her comedic timing and natural charm, offering a glimpse into her potential future in Hollywood.

Clark’s successful SNL impression further elevated her social profile as she prepares for the start of the Fever’s WNBA season on May 3. But Mahomes opted out of the opportunity to capitalize on those game benefits of appearing on SNL early in his career due to a past fear of reading teleprompters.

In an interview with Time magazine, Mahomes discussed his aspiration to host SNL after concluding his NFL career. He disclosed that the show approached him for a guest appearance at the end of last year following the team’s consecutive Super Bowl victories. However, he declined the opportunity and admitted in his interview with Time: “I have a little bit of a fear with the teleprompter.”

During the ESPY Awards in 2019, Mahomes experienced an embarrassing moment while presenting the award for “Best Game.” Dressed in a black tuxedo and visibly nervous, he stuttered and stumbled over his words while reading from the teleprompter in front of a live audience.

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Patrick Mahomes went viral for his 2019 ESPYS speech ( 
Image:
Getty)
Fans watching the video online compared Mahomes’ voice to Kermit the Frog and suggested he focus on playing rather than public speaking. Meanwhile, his teammate Travis Kelce boosted his social profile by appearing on SNL, even poking fun at Mahomes’ voice during his monologue.

During his monologue, Kelce joked about not being nervous, citing his experience giving eloquent speeches to teammates on NFL game days. However, a video clip showed him repeatedly screaming the word “more,” prompting laughter from the audience, who expected a profound speech. Kelce then humorously imitated Mahomes voice, eliciting further laughter with his exaggerated impression.

Mahomes should have plenty of time to cash in on his SNL desires, as he has no plans of retiring from NFL anytime soon. He mentioned valuing his children’s upbringing and wanting to be present for their childhood. Although still determined to achieve more in his career, he made it clear that family will always come first for him.