The Kansas City Chiefs punched their ticket to a third straight Super Bowl appearance with a thrilling victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game on Sunday. But amid the postgame celebrations in the Chiefs locker room, an unexpected visitor nearly caused some players to do a double-take.
Dylan Raiola, the freshman quarterback sensation at Nebraska, made a surprise cameo in Kansas City’s locker room following the win. The 19-year-old signal-caller bears an uncanny resemblance to Chiefs superstar QB Patrick Mahomes, from his appearance and fashion sense to his electrifying style of play on the field.
Raiola Crashes Chiefs’ Party
Raiola’s presence caught many off guard, including Chiefs running back Isaiah Pacheco. In a celebratory livestream from the locker room, Pacheco had to assure viewers that the Mahomes doppelganger wasn’t actually the MVP frontrunner.
“That ain’t Pat, y’all,
– Isaiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs running back
Pacheco then panned the camera to reveal the real Mahomes celebrating with his teammates just a few feet away. The amusing interaction quickly went viral on social media.
More Than Just Looks in Common
But the similarities between Raiola and Mahomes run deeper than just their appearance. The young Cornhuskers QB turned heads in his first collegiate season with his strong arm, creative playmaking ability, and knack for pulling off highlight-reel worthy plays – traits that have defined Mahomes’ game-changing NFL career.
The comparisons haven’t gone unnoticed by Mahomes himself. The Chiefs star got acquainted with his football doppelganger this past offseason and came away impressed.
I know Dylan, I trained with him in the offseason. Great kid, a great football player, and I think he’s going to make his own stamp on the game. And I think you’ve seen that early in his career.
– Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Raiola’s Bright Future
Indeed, Raiola flashed immense potential during his true freshman campaign in Lincoln. The 5-star recruit won the starting job in fall camp and never looked back, accounting for 3,757 total yards and 38 touchdowns. He led Nebraska to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game.
With his dynamic dual-threat abilities and advanced feel for the game at such a young age, Raiola has the look of a future NFL franchise quarterback. Only adding to the intrigue is his eerie resemblance – both physically and stylistically – to Mahomes, who has rapidly become the face of the league.
Setting the Stage
As for the man Raiola is so often compared to, Mahomes has a chance to further cement his legacy on the game’s biggest stage. He’ll lead the Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII looking to capture his second Lombardi Trophy in four years.
Meanwhile, the college football world eagerly awaits Raiola’s encore after his dazzling debut season. Nebraska opens its 2025 campaign on a fitting stage – under the lights at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Cornhuskers will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats on September 6th.
After his unexpected guest appearance at the AFC Championship Game, Raiola is already building buzz and making headlines in NFL circles. Don’t be surprised if the Mahomes clone is a fixture in future championship locker rooms – perhaps after leading his own team to the big game someday soon.
