The Las Vegas Raiders have ignited the rivalry with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes by using a Kermit the Frog puppet in his jersey to mock his voice. Mahomes has dominated the Raiders in his career, but the team's recent antics may have added fuel to their upcoming matchup in October.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have a long-standing rivalry that has intensified in recent years, fueled by the outstanding play of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, the Raiders have taken their animosity to a new level by using a Kermit the Frog puppet in a Mahomes jersey to mock his unique vocal mannerisms.
Throughout his career, Mahomes has been the subject of jokes about his distinctive voice, often compared to that of a Muppet character. Ahead of the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory in 2023, the Raiders publicly ridiculed Mahomes' voice, which seemingly motivated the team to embark on a six-game winning streak that culminated in their second consecutive Super Bowl triumph.
Raiders Poke the Bear: Kermit Puppet Jokes Fuel Rivalry with Patrick Mahomes
Despite their jabs at Mahomes, the Raiders have been dominated by him on the field. In his 12 career games against Las Vegas, Mahomes has amassed a stellar 109.6 passer rating, thrown for 3,573 yards, amassed 30 touchdowns while only being intercepted four times, and completed 66.2% of his passes.
The Raiders' AFC West rivals are not amused by their tactics. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones expressed his exasperation with the puppetry, stating, "They're just trying to get under our skin, but it's not going to work."
Raiders Poke the Bear: Kermit Puppet Jokes Fuel Rivalry with Patrick Mahomes
Raiders players, such as Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, have defended the use of the puppet, claiming it is all in good fun. However, Mahomes' record against them suggests that they may be better off focusing on improving their on-field performance rather than engaging in off-field antics.
The first meeting between the Raiders and Chiefs in the 2024 season is slated for October 27, shortly after the Chiefs' Super Bowl rematch against the San Francisco 49ers. With the Raiders hoping to improve upon their 6-11 record from 2023, they may need to find more effective ways to motivate themselves than by resorting to juvenile jabs at their opponents.
Raiders Poke the Bear: Kermit Puppet Jokes Fuel Rivalry with Patrick Mahomes
