Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes share heartwarming moment with young Chiefs fan after her two open-heart surgeries(Getty)
In May 2022, however, she got a day she had always dreamed of when the Chiefs welcomed her to Arrowhead Stadium through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For Myka Eilers, meeting Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce was about much more than getting close to her favorite Kansas City Chiefs stars. The young football fan had spent much of her early life dealing with a serious heart condition. What followed was a memorable afternoon filled with football, jokes and a few surprises. Mahomes and Kelce took time to play with Myka, who had her own ambitions of reaching the NFL one day. Her mother, Angela Eilers, later struggled to find words for what the experience meant to their family.
The surprise arrived in 2022 when KC Wolf, the Chiefs’ mascot, showed up at the Eilers family’s home in Yorba Linda, California, with an invitation to Kansas City. On May 25, 2022, Myka and her family arrived at Arrowhead Stadium. 15 in the quarterback’s locker. She watched game footage with him, including the quarterback’s game-winning touchdown pass to Kelce against the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 AFC Divisional Round.
She even signed a one-day contract with the Kansas City Chiefs alongside general manager Brett Veach.
“Don’t take my spot, though,” the quarterback told Myka as she prepared to throw a pass to Kelce. Myka’s journey had not been easy. She was diagnosed with pulmonary valve stenosis as a newborn, a condition that affects blood flow from the heart to the lungs. She underwent two open-heart surgeries as an infant. Doctors also warned that she might need another procedure in the future. Still, Myka refused to let her condition define her childhood. She played soccer, softball and football, eventually becoming the quarterback of her flag football team. She also had a big ambition: becoming the first woman to play in the NFL. Her love for the Chiefs led her to make a special wish through Make-A-Wish. She initially wanted to go on a Disney cruise, but the pandemic delayed those plans. She then changed her wish and asked to meet Mahomes. During the visit, she found a personalized Chiefs jersey with her name and Mahomes’ No. The biggest surprise came when she stepped onto the field and met Mahomes and Kelce. Mahomes welcomed her with a fist bump before joking about his place on the team. He added, “You can’t throw it too good, you know. Myka took her shot anyway. She delivered a pass straight to Kelce, who encouraged her with a playful, “Downtown, Charlie Brown. We’re going deep, alright? The Chiefs tight end then joined her for more football, turning the meeting into something far more personal than a quick photograph with two NFL stars. The visit also gave Myka a chance to spend time with Mahomes away from the field. It was another special touch for a young fan who had dreamed of being part of the team. She also spoke about what the entire experience meant to her daughter and the family. It’s made her feel so special. Our family just feels welcome and seen. We couldn’t have envisioned this in our wildest dreams. For a young girl who had faced two open-heart surgeries before she could even understand the game she loved, the day offered something she could carry with her long after leaving Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes and Kelce did more than meet a young Chiefs supporter. They gave her the chance to step onto the field, throw passes with her heroes and feel like part of the team. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Angela later recalled the meeting in an interview with TODAY.com, describing Kelce as “a jokester and a fun guy. Speaking to Make-A-Wish, Angela said, “Today has been amazing. Myka also remembered the players warmly, telling TODAY.com that Mahomes and Kelce were “really nice and funny; just good people.