Patrick Mahomes Responds to ‘Rigged’ Super Bowl Conspiracy Theories

Patrick Mahomes weighed in on the bizarre conspiracy theories which posit that the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII win was “rigged,” in part by Taylor Swift’s lucky number 13 and even the Biden administration.

On Tuesday night, Mahomes appeared for an interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip, who asked him directly about the controversy. “There were some wild conspiracy theories flying around this season that the Taylor Swift effect was also scripted to allow Taylor to use the Super Bowl for politics,” Phillip explained. “What do you make of just how this has spiraled?”

“It’s been wild to see,” Mahomes responded frankly. “I mean, I try to focus in on football as much as possible, but there’s always some conspiracy theories out there,” he reasoned.

In case you haven’t followed the rather labyrinthine musings of certain online communities, the theory supposes that the Chiefs’ win was “scripted” to promote Swift’s political agenda. There’d been rumblings in far-right corridors that her presence at the Super Bowl, and other games throughout the season, were meant to indoctrinate viewers with an unspecified leftist agenda. Never mind that, historically speaking, Swift has in most cases remained agnostic regarding politics.

There were other theories related to Swift’s preference for the number 13. She traveled 13 hours from Tokyo to Las Vegas to see the game, notable because this is the 13th Chiefs game she’s attended this season. The numbers in the Super Bowl edition (five plus eight); the game date itself—February 11 (2/11); and the 49ers team name all add up to 13 as well.

After the Chiefs won on Sunday, President Biden himself mocked the conspiracy theories. “Just like we drew it up,” Biden wrote alongside a picture of himself with lasers for eyes.

Just like we drew it up. pic.twitter.com/9NBvc5nVZE

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 12, 2024

On Tuesday night, Mahomes told Phillip that he’s used to tuning out the noise surrounding the Taylor Swift Effect. “I just try to enjoy football with my family,” Mahomes admitted, before adding, “and I gotta stay off social media as much as possible.”

“I would say that is wise,” Phillip said, concluding the segment.

CNN’s Abby Phillip asks Patrick Mahomes to comment on the conspiracies that his Super Bowl victory was rigged to benefit Joe Biden pic.twitter.com/aiVkybUFAF

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2024