Inside Patrick Mahomes' Fiancee's Tragic Loss

Super Bowl LV is right around the corner, and fans are eager to see the showdown between Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady — not to mention what's sure to be an epic halftime show headlined by The Weeknd. But while football enthusiasts and sports analysts break down Mahomes' touchdowns and passing yards, his time off the field is of equal interest to fans around the world. The football star, who has been with certified personal trainer Brittany Matthews since high school, popped the question to his longtime love in 2020 after confessing that he was more nervous to propose than to play in the 2020 Super Bowl. Last year brought more big changes for the couple, who announced shortly after their engagement that they were also expecting their first child together. To the casual observer, this eight-year relationship has all the trappings of a modern fairytale, but that's not to say Matthews and Mahomes haven't experienced their fair share of hardship. Matthews lost a member of her immediate family in 2018. Here's a look inside the tragic loss. In November 2018, Brittany Matthews posted a heartfelt tribute to her stepfather, Paul, who passed away during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals. Though paramedics were quick to transport Matthews' stepdad to a local hospital, he never recovered from his sudden collapse. Matthews took to Instagram that same day to share the sad news, assuring fans, "He was called to heaven today! I KNOW 100% he is so happy up there with his kids looking down on us cheering loud that his chiefs won today!" Luckily, Mahomes was there to provide a shoulder for Matthews to lean on. NFL Network's James Palmer tweeted that the quarterback skipped post-game interviews in order to leave Arrowhead Stadium as quickly as possible due to "a family emergency." Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid was also alerted of the situation and offered his support to Mahomes and Matthews. According to ESPN's Adam Teicher, Reid said of the tragic events, "We're sorry to hear about what took place yesterday. Our prayers and blessings are with the family. I've talked to Patrick and they're doing well for the circumstance that took place." Paul Harvey Massey, Brittany Matthews' stepdad, collapsed outside of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in November 2018, according to The Washington Post. He died shortly after. Massey was commemorated at a memorial service in Arp, Texas on November 16, 2018, according to the website for the Cottle Funeral Home. His obituary notes his love of sports, which was also a major interest for his family in general. He was also a soccer coach for more than 20 years, and a noted fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. For work, Massey was a general manager for DCD Warehouse in Tyler, Texas, for more than 35 years. He was also a man of faith and kindness, as his obituary noted, "Mr. Massey never met a stranger and shared his faith with others including posting a daily devotional." Massey's death was obviously a heartbreaking loss for the family, including Patrick Mahomes' fiance. In the days that followed the unexpected turn of events, Mahomes himself spoke to the media about the shock. Mahomes did not immediately know what happened to Matthews' stepdad, as his tragic death happened to occur around gametime. According to Matthews, Massey collapsed at the front entrance of the stadium shortly before the game was set to begin. Mahomes later explained to reporters that he was told about the death by Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid. He said, "I didn't know about it until after the game. Coach Reid actually told me in the tunnel after the game and it was shocking. He was a great man and he was a great stepdad for Brittany." After learning the news, Mahomes reportedly rushed to the hospital. It was undoubtedly a tragedy for the whole family, but at least Matthews had the love and support of Mahomes as she dealt with the shock and grief. #PatrickMahomes #KansasCityChiefs #SuperBowl