Four hours after walking off the field at the Chiefs practice facility in white Adidas cleats bedazzled with iridescent spikes and a blue-green graffitied ‘Three Stripe Life’ logo on the toe cap, Patrick Mahomes pulled on another pair of shoes as he arrived at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

These specific shoes, the Adidas Asterisk Collective Ultraboost 2019, were created for the Foot Locker-assembled group of athletes and artists on a mission to inspire and empower others to make a positive impact. The sneaker is supposed to be worn by people who embody the asterisk and what it means to stand apart.

Mahomes, a founding member of the group, fulfilled that mission when he surprised a group of patients at Children’s Mercy with gear from his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation and a variety of Adidas shoes.

“It was awesome being at Children’s Mercy to do so many great things for these kids, especially around this area,” he said. “It’s something we’ve been talking about for a while, and I’m glad to see it finally coming to fruition.”

Through the Asterisk Collective, he also presented the hospital with donations of iPads, telepresence robots, a Vecta machine and Mamaroos Swings to help assist with patients’ rehabilitation and well-being. Mahomes also donated fully-loaded PlayStation 4 systems.

“It’s been a long process,” Mahomes said of developing his foundation. “I’ve wanted to do it the entire time I’ve been in the NFL, but I had to get the right things in order and do it the right way. Having great partners around me has helped me really boost it and get it going at a very fast rate. I’m glad I can go out and do things like this in the community more often.”

Mahomes is comfortable — in his role on the team, in the community and in his own skin.