If you’re wondering where our support will be Sunday, wonder no more.

Welcome back to the Mailbag!

It’s Friday of Super Bowl week and we’re suffering from a little case of déjà vu.

Feels like around this time last year we were getting ready to watch Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl and, if memory serves, we’ve done that a couple of other times over the past five years. 

Honestly, it’s turned into a bit of a tradition.

Here in Red Raider nation, it’s natural that folks take a good bit of pride in watching our former quarterback light up the NFL over and over and over and over. Heck, any school would be happy to say the best player in the NFL was one of their own. Lucky for us, the rest of them can’t do that right now because that guy came from Texas Tech. 

Really, we hit the jackpot. I mean, years of watching Mahomes pitch it around in Lubbock prepared us all for the possibility that he might be something special, but even the most optimistic of supporters probably can’t say with any honesty that they saw this run coming. 

Six seasons as a starting quarterback in the NFL; six AFC title games; four Super Bowl appearances; and a legitimate roadmap to GOAT status before turning 30. 

And if Sunday goes the right way, Mahomes will be a three-time Super Bowl champion. 

Not too shabby. 

The Chiefs having a Red Raider as a key player on the roster for their Super Bowl wins is also a tradition. In fact *checks historical records* the Chiefs have never won a Super Bowl without a Red Raider in the starting lineup. 

Now, it has come to our attention that many of you have noticed how much Texas Tech University posts about the Chiefs and Mahomes on social media. 

Good. 

We’re glad you noticed and, well, that was the point. We also hope you’ve noticed those Double Ts popping up around Arrowhead Stadium and on the Chiefs’ social media accounts. 

You see, given the success and popularity of Mahomes both at Texas Tech and in the NFL, it was a natural fit for the university and the Chiefs to strike up a strategic partnership. 

I mean, honestly, when you have two organizations with strong ties to each other committed to doing things the right way, it only makes sense. 

A couple years ago a corporate sponsorship deal came into being. The idea was for Texas Tech to have a presence alongside the Chiefs throughout the NFL, and for the Chiefs to continue growing their fanbase among Red Raiders. 

It all seemed very natural, and the outcomes have been better than expected. 

While the connection with Mahomes is clearly a driving force, being strategically aligned with an NFL juggernaut has opened doors for Texas Tech in recruiting Kansas City. That was expected. But with that came other recruiting opportunities in places like Arizona, California, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. 

In those states applications to Texas Tech have more than doubled since 2019. In other words, anywhere the Chiefs play, a little Texas Tech goes with them. 

And if the jerseys you see around Lubbock are anything to go by, it seems like the Chiefs have carved out a nice little foothold here in Texas as well. 

It helps a ton that the Chiefs and Mahomes just keep winning. 

So, if there were any doubts, we’ll be pulling for the Chiefs again Sunday, hoping for a little more Mahomes magic.

More Mailbag

• Mailbag: Getting the Boot
  How many citations until you get a boot on your vehicle? Is there a campus nurse?
• Mailbag: Print the Legend
  Is Texas Tech the second-largest contiguous college campus in the country?
  
• Mailbag: Playing Chicken
  Exploring the world of campus crosswalks.
• Mailbag: Halloween Happenings
  How best to celebrate All Hallows Eve.
  
• Mailbag: Beyond Okay
  Mental health, and what Texas Tech is doing to help.
• Mailbag: Home for the Holidays
  Planning your holiday travels? We’ve got you covered.
• Mailbag: Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
  In which we answer two reader questions about Turkey Day.
• Mailbag: Giving Thanks
  The Mailbag stays in-house this week as we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.
• Mailbag: Highly Recommended
  What to do when you need a letter of recommendation.
• Mailbag: Let the Commencements Commence
  Everything from parking at the ceremony to ideas about what to do afterward!
• Mailbag: A Horse's A**
  At issue is a certain horse's hindquarters, a college down south and if the two actually intersect.
• Mailbag: Checking In
  Parents with questions: where to see their student's grades and how to see TechAlerts.
• Mailbag: Celebrating Dr. King
  MLK Day offers much more than a reprieve from classes and work.
• Mailbag: Let's Get Judgy
  What are Texas Tech’s world-class judging teams actually judging and how do they get judged themselves? We’re here to find out.
• Mailbag: Happy Snow Day
  What a snow day looks like at Texas Tech.
• Mailbag: Evermore
  We look at Texas Tech’s award-winning magazine.
• Mailbag: All About Love
  Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so we’re sharing some Texas Tech love stories.
  
• Mailbag: The Hub for Success
  The Raider Success Hub is a new tool designed to help students succeed.
• Mailbag: The Hub for Success
  The Raider Success Hub is a new tool designed to help students succeed.
• Mailbag: All About Love Part II
  Two weeks back, we shared a couple of stories of Red Raiders in love. We liked it so much we’re doing it again.
• Mailbag: Here with the Wind
  A little bit (maybe a whole lot) of West Texas coming at y’all.
• Mailbag: Spring Break Safety
  Make good choices.
• Mailbag: Service It Up 
  Take on the challenge and get those service hours counted.
• Mailbag: More to Come
  We hope you enjoyed our latest series, but we’re just getting started.
• Mailbag: Was That Sky Water?
  Talking about a rainy day.
• Mailbag: Finish Strong
  We’re looking at a fine way to close out your first year on campus.
• Mailbag: How and Why We Ranch Horse
  In case you were curious, we build champions around here.
• Mailbag: What's Not To Love?
  A column in which we discuss a call with a friend.
• Mailbag: Looks Like You Made It
  You’re Red Raiders for life now, no take backs.
  
• Mailbag: Building Up
  Texas Tech hosted its first topping out ceremony of its second century, but it won’t be the last.
  
• Mailbag: Taking Over
  What does it take to turn Dallas red?
  
• Mailbag: Off to the Races
  Texas Tech and LISD partnered on a STEM project involving races and student-built vehicles.
  
• Mailbag: Everything Evermore All At Once
  What does it take to become the best of the best?
• Mailbag: Red Raider Community
  In which we talk about what the Red Raider community is.
  
• Mailbag: Happy Independence Day
  Where we talk about summer, safety and making good decisions.
• Mailbag: Two Mondays
  A weird week of work and a couple other things you should know.
  
• Mailbag: Why Semiconductors Matter
  You may be surprised to learn how much is happening at Texas Tech.
  
• Mailbag: Let's Go Dining
  We’re talking about food, so please enjoy.
  
• Mailbag: Clarion Awards
  Another round of awards and a night to remember.
• Mailbag: Leading from Lubbock
  After a whirlwind week in the Big 12, it is worth noting the huge role President Lawrence Schovanec played in the latest round of realignment.
• Mailbag: Let's Talk About the Weather
  Fake fall came and went, but we learned some things.
• Mailbag: Day of Giving
  Texas Tech’s second Day of Giving was a massive success, thanks to all of you, but how does the whole thing come together?
• Mailbag: What’s Up With Hurricane Season?
  Hurricane season is clearly here, so we asked why they’re hitting left, right and center.
• Mailbag: Life Advice from Jimmy Buffett
  A legend has passed, but we can all still appreciate what he brought us.
• Mailbag: The Villain of the Housing Market?
  Short-term rentals are feeling the heat, but are they the true villains?
• Mailbag: Hard-Working People
  When trouble hits, the Operations Division responds.
  
• Mailbag: What Texas Tech Has Always Been About
  President Schovanec's State of the University highlighted many records while emphasizing Texas Tech's priority: our students. 
• Mailbag: Fall Agritourism
  It's that time of year, so enjoy it and be respectful.
• Mailbag: Help Is Near
  Let’s talk about people, purpose and believing in good.
• Mailbag: Get Out And Vote
  Get to the polls and let your voice be heard.
  
• Mailbag: Building a Reputation
  With our hibernation over, we’re hungry and back on the hunt.
• Mailbag: Texas Tech's Kansas City Connection
  If you’re wondering where our support will be Sunday, wonder no more.
• Mailbag: Helping While Feeling Helpless
  Our community is in distress, and all of us should be concerned.
• Mailbag: The Pursuit of Prime
  Chasing the best there is to chase.