Pat Mahomes Sr. and ex-Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker decided to settle their beef from New Orleans in the ring, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not happy about it.
Mahomes Sr. and Rocker, who both played Major League Baseball, got into it on Bourbon Street during Super Bowl week. The incident was captured on film, and the video went viral; naturally, now, someone is trying to capitalize on the fight.
Why Are Pat Mahomes Sr. and John Rocker Fighting?
In New Orleans, Rocker attempted to shake Mahomes’ hand, but it was smacked away, setting off an argument. The two then traded insults, with Mahomes later calling Rocker a “menace to society.” This goes back to their days when Mahomes played with the New York Mets.
Decades ago, Rocker did an infamous interview with Sports Illustrated in which he slammed the city of New York and insulted several minority groups in the process. Rocker said he “would retire” rather than join the Mets, describing New York as “depressing” and bashing many people who live there.
The interview was so controversial and inflammatory that Rocker was suspended for 28 days to start the 2000 MLB season, which was reduced to 14 games after an appeal.
Patrick Mahomes Is Not Happy About the Boxing Match
Now, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has signed Mahomes Sr. and Rocker for an upcoming boxing match as part of his upcoming “Rough N’ Rowdy” event.
“I guess they f***ing hated each other since their playing days [in] baseball,” Portnoy said on social media. “I mean, I guess not surprising. Everyone has beef with John Rocker.”
Rocker recently revealed that the Chiefs’ signal-caller is trying to prevent his father from being in this fight.
“Hearing Pat Mahomes Jr’s team of woke suits is trying to dissuade Pat Sr from fighting me,” Rocker posted. “Why don’t we sweeten the pot. I will put a percentage of my purse towards a charity my X followers choose. Mahomes Sr will put a percentage of his purse towards his sons charity.”
Hearing Pat Mahomes Jr’s team of woke suits is trying to dissuade Pat Sr from fighting me.
Why don’t we sweeten the pot. I will put a percentage of my purse towards a charity my X followers choose.
Mahomes Sr will put a percentage of his purse towards his sons charity.
— JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) February 12, 2025
Mahomes is not a fan of Barstool Sports, which could explain why he wants his father to back out of the fight.
During Super Bowl Media Day, “Bussin’ with The Boys” host and former Tennessee Titans tackle Taylor Lewan asked Mahomes if he would come on their podcast now that they are no longer affiliated with Barstool Sports.
“It definitely improved ya’ll’s chances, that’s for sure,” Mahomes replied. “Let’s make that happen now.”
Patrick Mahomes gives a soft confirmation to come on Bussin’ With The Boys this offseason and possibly follow Will Compton back on Twitter pic.twitter.com/HpcXPeohTV
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) February 6, 2025
After the video went viral, Portnoy shared his frustration about Mahomes’ comment, prompting Lewan and former NFL linebacker and “Bussin’ With the Boys” co-host Will Compton to discuss the Chiefs QB’s hate for Barstool Sports.
“Patrick is openly not a fan of Barstool Sports,” Lewan recently said on his podcast.
“I was surprised that Dave did not know Mahomes didn’t like Barstool,” Compton added. “We had even gotten close [to having Mahomes on the show] before. … He was close to coming on, and ultimately, he was choosing not to do anything Barstool-related.”
Knowing that Mahomes dislikes Barstool Sports, Portnoy taunted the quarterback after his father signed the paperwork to box Rocker.
The beef on Bourbon Street between Pat Mahomes Sr. and John Rocker has boiled over to @roughnrowdy@stool_scenes presented by @MountainDew #DoTheDew pic.twitter.com/U1nKIEkthf
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 16, 2025
“Just to show that I don’t hold grudges, I know Patty Mahomes — the Super Bowl guy, the guy who just got his doors blown off — said he hated Barstool. Well, now your dad’s fighting in our company against John Rocker,” Portnoy said.
“So I’ll save a seat — free of charge. … No bad blood, we can make up and watch your dad fight. That’s an open invite. You say you don’t like us, I get your dad to fight John Rocker at ‘Rough N’ Rowdy.'”
It remains to be seen whether Mahomes Sr. will listen to his son and back out of the fight or if he’ll follow through and box Rocker on April 19.