
Dylan Raiola wants to be Patrick Mahomes so badly, whether he is willing to admit it or not. The latest addition to his unusual cosplay routine cost his NFL counterpart $14,000.
Nebraska’s freshman quarterback mimicked a celebration on Saturday that drew a hefty fine for the three-time Super Bowl champion just hours prior.
Mahomes threw three touchdowns during the Kansas City Chiefs’ nine-point loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend. To celebrate the third, he held a pair of finger pistols out in front of his body and waved them to the sky.
The NFL fined #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) as he celebrated a touchdown pass last week in Buffalo … pic.twitter.com/dXgnmYJSYp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2024
It was announced on Saturday that the NFL decided to hit Mahomes with a fine of $14,069. The league deemed his gesture as “violent” amid a season-long crackdown on gun-like celebrations and took some money out of his paycheck.
Raiola, a five-star freshman, bounced back from a string of rough performances in a win over Wisconsin on Saturday. He completed 28 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown without an interception.
Upon arrival to Lincoln, the similarities between Raiola and Mahomes in terms of appearance were truly astonishing. The 19-year-old was practically indiscernible from the three-time Super Bowl champion.
That was also true when he showed up to Memorial Stadium ahead of his first-ever start. Raiola looked identical to Mahomes in every single way— all of the way down to his gait. And we’re not even talking about their on-field play. Strictly looks.
To go even one step further, Raiola emulates Mahomes’ pregame ritual.
Dylan Raiola takes his Patrick Mahomes pregame ritual VERY seriously 😮 pic.twitter.com/GSkn0N3sic
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 15, 2024
However, Raiola said during the preseason that he didn’t even like football growing up. As a result, he “didn’t really know about Mahomes” when he first got his hair cut how it is today in the sixth or seventh grade. The resemblance between them, he said, is not intentional.
I have my own little kick to it, so it’s not completely like him. But I guess if that’s what people want to say, I mean that guy’s one of the best. So it’s cool.
— Dylan Raiola in September
It is hard to believe Raiola is telling the truth. Especially after he hit Mahomes’ signature celebration during the win over the Badgers on Saturday.
Raiola with the Mahomes celly!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TwSXOH667t
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2024
He celebrated a big gain against Wisconsin with the same celebration that cost his NFL counterpart more than $14,000. There is some irony in that.
If Dylan Raiola wants to be like Patrick Mahomes, that’s fine. Just own it!