Former Mustangs Rice, Chiefs Ignored Haters (or Critics?) During Early Season Struggles

Despite some early season struggles, rookie receiver from SMU has grown into Mahomes' best receiver not in a relationship with Taylor Swift.

DALLAS — It’s no secret Kansas City’s offense had struggled to reach the bar set by the offense’s performance in previous seasons. In November, the Chiefs were only averaging 23.4 points per game. That's the lowest since Patrick Mahomes became the team’s starting quarterback in 2018.

A majority of the blame was placed on the receivers who at one point this season led the NFL in drops. Former SMU receiver Rashee Rice was able to breakout, though, and give coach Andy Reid best ever receiver by a rookie in a season. Rice wasn’t paying attention what people outside the team were saying.

“I wasn’t too much worried about what everyone else was talking about,” Rice said during Monday night’s Super Bowl Opening Night. “I show up every day to work.”

Fans and critics will get a chance to see Rice and the other Chief receivers go to work this Sunday in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas against the San Francisco 49ers. The game will be televised on CBS and fuboTV.

Sunday’s game could be the third-straight game Kansas City is the underdog if betting lines hold. But the underdog role is one the former Mustang and the Chiefs embrace.

“Anytime you call Kansas City ‘underdogs’ we take that to heart,” Rice said. “Everyone obviously knows what we’re capable of and what we do best. But if you want to call us the underdog, we’ll show up on game day.”

On Sunday, Rice will try to continue his stellar rookie year that has seen him grow into Mahomes’s best receiving option not dating Taylor Swift. In a close game, Rice could have an opportunity to deliver a big play for his quarterback.

“Everyone knows (Mahomes is) the guy to go to in crunch time,” Rice said. “And if I’m on his mind then, that’s a great thing.” Mustang fans hope to see plenty of great things in Sunday’s big game.

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