Why was Patrick Mahomes’ father arrested a week before Super Bowl LVIII? What punishment could he face?

The father of NFL star Patrick Mahomes was arrested on Saturday just over a week before the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is due to face the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Pat Mahomes’ third DWI arrest

Pat Mahomes was arrested by the Tyler Police Department in Texas on 3 February and charged with driving while intoxicated for the third time or more, according to jail records in Smith County. The records also show his bond was set at $10,000 and he was released on Sunday.

Four years ago, the 53-year-old was arrested on the same charge and pleaded guilty, which led to him spending 40 days in jail, as per the same Smith County records. However, because this is his third offence, Texas law states he could now be facing anywhere between two and 10 years in prison if he is convicted.

Mahomes Sr.’s MLB career

Mahomes Sr. was a Major League pitcher for 11 seasons from 1992 to 2003, playing for the Twins, Red Sox, Mets, Rangers, Cubs and Pirates. Rather than becoming one of NFL’s biggest stars, Mahomes Jr. could have gone down the baseball route after being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 2014 MLB Draft, but he chose not to sign a contract to pursue a career in football.

The Chiefs, and the quarterback himself, will hope Mahomes Sr.’s misdemeanour doesn’t prove to be a distraction as they chase a second successive Super Bowl and a third in five years.