During Super Bowl week, two former MLB pitchers sparked a frenzy when they were caught on camera having a heated exchange on the streets of New Orleans. But what seemed like a random confrontation between John Rocker and Patrick Mahomes Sr. may have been all part of a plan to hype up an upcoming celebrity boxing match.
Rocker, the former Atlanta Braves reliever, and Mahomes Sr., father of Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, were recorded clashing outside Willie’s Chicken Shack on Bourbon Street, near the iconic St. Louis Cathedral. In the footage, Rocker is seen exiting the restaurant, throwing some words in Mahomes’ direction, and attempting a handshake, which Mahomes rejected by pushing Rocker’s hand away.
What followed was a tense standoff, with both men shouting at each other while bystanders, shocked by the altercation, looked on. One person could be heard repeatedly shouting “Oh s–t,” while another asked, “Is that f–king Johnny Rocker?” The situation escalated further before two men, one in a blue shirt and the other wearing a red baseball cap, intervened and separated the two.
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The incident didn’t end there. Both men responded to the situation on social media, where the insults and heated words continued. Rocker, notorious for his controversial 1999 comments on gays, minorities, and immigrants, fired back, claiming, “This f–king loser can’t take a damn joke. Wish I laid him out right there and ruined his bulls–t weekend even more.”
Mahomes Sr. responded in kind, calling Rocker a “menace to society” and accusing him of not having changed in the last 25 years. Rocker, not backing down, doubled down on his insults, saying Mahomes wouldn’t have had the courage to speak to him face-to-face the night before.
While the exchange caught attention, it’s also fueling rumors of a potential Barstool Sports “Rough ‘N’ Rowdy” boxing match between the two. Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports founder, hinted at the possibility in a recent interview, suggesting that a fight between Mahomes Sr. and Rocker could be in the works. “I think it is,” Portnoy said when asked about the fight, confirming that a signed agreement was reportedly in place, though he hadn’t seen the paperwork yet.
The timing of the altercation and the speculation around the boxing event raise suspicions that this confrontation was staged to build excitement for the upcoming match. Whether it was planned or just a chance encounter, fans are eagerly awaiting what could be a wild showdown between two larger-than-life personalities.
In the meantime, Mahomes Sr. was in New Orleans to support his son’s attempt at history, as the Chiefs were hoping to secure a third consecutive Super Bowl title. Unfortunately for the Mahomes family, their dreams were dashed with a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving them one title short of a historic three-peat.
What's Up Today Editorial Team