In the playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, quarterback superstar Patrick Mahomes’ helmet fails to withstand a collision

Extraordinary moment in the playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins: Part of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ helmet splintered during a hit in the third quarter and took on a life of its own.

A piece of Patrick Mahomes’ helmet came flying off. pic.twitter.com/m2bFObIhnq

– Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 14, 2024

With a second attempt and seven yards to go at Miami’s 16-yard line, the playmaker found no place to go and decided to run himself. After a good twelve yards, he was then rammed at the 3-yard line by Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott.

The Miami player’s helmet collided with Mahomes’, causing a piece of Mahomes’ helmet to fly off. The reason for this may have been the freezing temperatures. The game was the fourth coldest in league history

It seems that NFL helmets maybe weren’t made for sub-zero temperatures Chiefs NFLplayoffs pic.twitter.com/z8YYojYWMr

– John Breech (@johnbreech) January 14, 2024

However, it was the moments afterwards that caused the most confusion. The Chiefs signal caller was allowed to stay on the field despite his broken helmet.

A flag for “helmet-to-helmet” was also not called against the Dolphins safety. In addition, Mahomes was not examined for a possible concussion after the hit to the head.

Mahomes was playing with a broken helmet

“NBC” rules analyst Terry McAuley noted on the US broadcast that Mahomes would have had to come off the field for at least one play to get a new, intact helmet.

Incidentally, the Chiefs did not score a touchdown on that drive, although kicker Harrison Butker did make a field goal. In the end, Kansas City won 26-7.