The freezing temperatures were the biggest storyline of Saturday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, and that weather might have been the reason star quarterback Patrick Mahomes saw his helmet explode during a play in the second half.
While the Chiefs were driving in the third quarter, Mahomes moved the chains on a big scramble play that took Kansas City into the end zone. However, as Mahomes was tackled, the contact from the Dolphins defender caused his helmet to explode. The Sunday Night Football X account provided a replay of the collision.
A piece of Patrick Mahomes' helmet came flying off. ? pic.twitter.com/m2bFObIhnq
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 14, 2024
The 33rd Team provided a photo of Mahomes' helmet via X.
Mahomes' helmet looks off ? pic.twitter.com/kaQ12buIgr
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 14, 2024
Temperatures at Arrowhead Stadium were well below zero degrees during the Saturday night game, and that frigid weather likely played a factor in the helmet breaking. Mahomes continued to play with the broken helmet for several plays before officials stopped the game so that he could switch out helmets.
Oddly enough, the officials did not make Mahomes sit out a play due to his equipment issue. Instead, Mahomes was allowed to quickly change out helmets and remain on the field. While the Chiefs weren't able to cap off the drive with a touchdown, they were able to settle for a field goal to take a 19-7 lead.
Equipment issues have happened in the past, but a cracked helmet is an extremely rare occurrence. Fortunately for Mahomes and the Chiefs, the helmet explosion didn't result in any kind of injury to the star quarterback, allowing him to stay in the game to keep competing for a shot at advancing to the AFC divisional round.
Some fans may want to question the safety of allowing Mahomes to play several plays with a broken helmet, but officials were quick to make sure he switched out helmets once they realized that there was an issue.
