Will Howard earns Patrick Mahomes-Inspired Nickname after the Viral “Flop” moment

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard became the center of attention during Monday night’s national title game against Notre Dame—not just for his stellar performance but for a dramatic “flop” that drew comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. The moment went viral, igniting debate and a wave of social media reactions.

A Game of High Stakes and Big Plays

The Ohio State Buckeyes demonstrated their dominance against Notre Dame in the highly anticipated national title game. Although the Fighting Irish began strong with a long touchdown drive, Ohio State quickly established control. After trailing 7–0, the Buckeyes surged ahead to take a commanding 31–7 lead. Despite a late rally by Notre Dame, which included a touchdown and two-point conversion to narrow the gap to 31–15, the Buckeyes held firm.

Amid the intense action, Kansas State’s Will Howard delivered an impressive performance. He completed 16-of-20 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 51 yards. However, it was his dramatic reaction to a late hit that became the game’s most talked-about moment.

The Viral Flop That Sparked Comparisons

During a pivotal play, Howard was hit late by a Notre Dame defender, resulting in a roughing-the-passer penalty. Howard exaggerated the contact, flailing to the ground and briefly lying motionless. This over-the-top reaction went viral, with fans comparing him to Patrick Mahomes, who faced criticism for a similar “flop” during the Chiefs’ divisional-round win over the Houston Texans days earlier.

One viral post described the moment: “Will Howard goes limp body to really sell the Roughing the Passer Penalty.” Social media was flooded with comments, such as:

• “Will Mahomes draws the personal foul call on Notre Dame.”
• “Will Howard channeled his inner Patrick Mahomes to sell that lol.”
• “That was most definitely roughing the passer. But Will Howard’s favorite player must be Patrick Mahomes.”
• “Do the refs know that’s Will Howard and not Mahomes?”

Howard’s antics not only drew laughs but also reignited debates about the role of flopping in football and whether stricter rules are needed to curb such behavior.

Debate Over Flopping in Football

Howard’s dramatic reaction has fueled renewed discussion about “flopping” in football. While the roughing-the-passer penalty on Notre Dame may have been justified, Howard’s theatrics amplified the situation, sparking controversy. Critics argue that such exaggerated actions undermine the integrity of the game and put undue pressure on referees to make difficult calls.

Supporters, however, highlight the frequent rough hits quarterbacks endure and suggest that such actions may draw attention to necessary player safety rules. Howard’s “flop,” while theatrical, succeeded in emphasizing the late hit and securing valuable yardage for his team during a critical moment.

Conclusion

Will Howard’s performance against Notre Dame highlighted his dual talent as both an efficient quarterback and an unexpected source of viral content. While his 175 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 51 rushing yards were impressive, it was his “flop” that captured the spotlight and drew comparisons to Patrick Mahomes.

The moment has sparked ongoing debates about the ethics of flopping in football and whether leagues like the NFL and NCAA should implement rules to discourage such behavior. For now, Howard has gained both admiration and criticism, solidifying his place in the broader conversation about theatrics and fairness in the game.