‘Lubbock proud’: Meet the Texas muralist paying tribute to Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes

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When you drive through Lubbock, Texas, the tight-knit college town of Texas Tech University, it won’t be long before you come across two vibrant, spray-painted murals of Patrick Mahomes.

These often-visited murals were painted by Joey Martinez, 45, a Lubbock native who’s a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. Recently though, he’s had a big reason to root for the Chiefs — and it has everything to do with the Texas kid who has lit the NFL on fire since becoming Kansas City’s starting quarterback in 2018.

It started when Martinez, who was getting his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Texas Tech, bumped into Mahomes on his way to practice.

“I was like, ‘Patrick! Patrick! Dude you’re killing it. You’re going to kill it when you go pro,’” Martinez remembers telling Mahomes, who was the starting quarterback for the Red Raiders at the time. “I would’ve never guessed that he’d be doing as good as he’s been doing.”

Martinez’s preferred medium is spray paint, which he started experimenting with in 1992 as a way to channel his anger as a teen. He would cover up gang graffiti with positive messages and quotes, quickly earning himself the nickname, “Wise One,” around town.

Take one step into his home, and you’ll see that art has come to define every facet of his life, with pieces documenting the emotional struggles of growing up and the town that has come to define so much of who he is.

There are paintings he’s made, inspiration scattered from friends, and canvases brimming with textured layers of oil paint and spray paint tucked around every corner.

The first time Martinez painted Mahomes in public was the night in 2020 when No. 15 led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl win in 50 years. As players and coaches hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, Martinez spent the night spray painting a black-and-white close-up of Mahomes in the shadow of the Texas Tech logo.

The next mural of the Chiefs QB came after last year’s Super Bowl win. Martinez was commissioned to paint Mahomes on the side of a taco shop across the street from Texas Tech’s campus. This time, though, he “didn’t want him in uniform.”

“I wanted something people could relate to,” Martinez explained in front of the bright mural, which depicts Mahomes rocking his signature Oakley sunglasses in a patterned Hawaiian shirt.

Now, as Mahomes heads to his fourth Super Bowl in five years, Martinez, too, is getting to work, finishing a canvas of Mahomes in the sleek, black Texas Tech uniform. He hopes to add the finishing touches after the Super Bowl, namely the Super Bowl rings to Mahomes’ fingers.

“I would love it if Patrick Mahomes could own this,” he laughed.

Martinez said his goal has always been to give back to Lubbock, and put the city on the map — just as Mahomes has.

“I’ve always had respect for the guy. He’s really humble,” Martinez said. “When I was a kid I told myself I was going to graduate from Texas Tech, and that’s what I did. For Patrick Mahomes to do what he’s done, it’s amazing, and I’m proud of it. I’m sure a lot of other Lubbock residents are, too.”

“He’s definitely made Lubbock proud.”