Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is facing tragic family news on the eve of the team’s momentous AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills.

Mahomes’ grandfather, Randy Martin, has been placed in hospice, a heartbreaking update shared by Mahomes’ mother, Randi, on Instagram Friday morning.

“My dad is in hospice and I’m lost for words,” Randi posted, along with the Bible verse Colossians 3:20, which instructs children to obey their parents in everything because it “pleases the Lord.”

Patrick Mahomes Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs on the sideline during the national anthem prior to the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18,…  AARON M. SPRECHER/GETTY IMAGES
This news comes just days before Patrick is set to lead the Kansas City Chiefs against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game with promises of historic glory if they secure a victory.

The announcement follows a turbulent year for the Mahomes family, marked by highs and lows. Just two weeks ago, Patrick and his wife, Brittany, celebrated the birth of their third child, a daughter named Golden Raye.

Yet, the family has also faced significant challenges, including Patrick’s brother, Jackson Mahomes, being sentenced to probation after a misdemeanor battery charge, and his father, Patrick Mahomes Sr., receiving a jail sentence and probation for a DUI conviction.

Despite these personal struggles, Patrick Mahomes has managed to lead the Chiefs to a 15-2 record this season, one of the best in the franchise’s history.

This remarkable achievement comes amid constant family distractions, but Mahomes has remained resilient, pushing through to keep his team in playoff contention.

On Sunday, the Chiefs will aim for a historic third straight Super Bowl title, a feat no team has ever accomplished. Travis Kelce will need another standout performance, while Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and DeAndre Hopkins must step up after a quiet Divisional Round. The offense will also rely on running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco to contribute as needed.

Defensively, Steve Spagnuolo’s unit will need to continue its strong play. With key players like George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, and Trent McDuffie stepping up, the focus will be on containing Josh Allen and limiting his ability to convert on critical downs.

This game adds another chapter to the Chiefs-Bills rivalry, with Kansas City holding a perfect 3-0 playoff record against Buffalo. The Bills handed the Chiefs their only loss with a 30-21 victory in Week 11, but this matchup shifts to Arrowhead, where the Chiefs haven’t lost a meaningful game since Christmas 2023.

As the Chiefs prepare for another AFC Championship showdown with the Bills—a team they have historically defeated in the postseason—the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Mahomes, who is playing with the weight of his family’s challenges on his shoulders.

With his grandfather’s health declining, it’s likely that Mahomes will take the field at Arrowhead with even more motivation to continue his legacy and help the Chiefs make history.