A Kermit the Frog stunt sparks a heated debate before Chiefs and Bills collide.
As two of the NFL’s most powerful teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, prepare for their latest showdown, emotions are already building–and not just on the field. The rivalry between the AFC heavyweights took a contentious turn as photographs emerged from outside Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, ahead of their match.
Bills Mafia, the iconic fandom known for its intense enthusiasm and intricate pregame pranks, pulled up a stunt that raised more than a few eyebrows. A Kermit the Frog puppet dressed in a Patrick Mahomes jersey and wig was spotted hanging from a pole, provoking heated discussions on social media. While the behavior was initially interpreted as playful banter, the optics quickly turned the matter into a larger societal controversy.
The “Kermit” connection is not new for Mahomes, whose unusual voice has been the subject of humorous jokes throughout his career. The Chiefs quarterback, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, even addressed the analogy earlier this year, dismissing it as part of the package of being in the spotlight. However, this occurrence has sparked controversy, with some pointing to the imagery’s racial implications.
Social media has been rife with conflicting perspectives. Some Bills fans say that the stunt was intended as a jest with no racial connotations. Others, however, view the conduct as a concerning step too far, questioning whether ridiculing a Black quarterback with such imagery fosters damaging stereotypes. Calls for more considerate fan behavior have gotten louder as the discussion continues.
Mahomes and Bills Mafia in the spotlight over joke
This is not the first time Mahomes has received “Kermit-inspired” remarks. Earlier past summer, during training camp, Las Vegas Raiders players were observed using a tiny Kermit figure to mock their rivals. While Mahomes has demonstrated that he can laugh off barbs, the distinction between friendly rivalry and inappropriate behavior is getting increasingly blurred.
The Bills Mafia, known for their innovative fandom, is suddenly in a rare defensive position. Some fans are doubling down, alleging that the stunt has been blown out of proportion. Others, including important voices in the NFL fan community, are imploring Buffalo fans to show more respect for one of the league’s brightest players.
For Mahomes, Sunday’s game is more than just another game; it’s an opportunity to silence the critics the only way he knows how: by performing on the field. With the Chiefs looking to cement their AFC domination and the Bills looking for vengeance, the stakes are higher than ever.
As the NFL considers whether any formal action or statement is necessary, one thing is clear: the intensity of this rivalry has shifted far beyond football. For fans on both sides, the emphasis has quickly gone back to the gridiron, where Mahomes and Josh Allen are prepared to pen the next chapter in their clubs’ famous rivalry.
