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Brother of Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes needs a lesson in manners. He also deserves grace

Jackson Mahomes, the younger brother of Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, needs a lesson in manners. He is also deserving of patience and grace. He is only 21 years old. Two things can be true at once. But you don’t dance on a memorial for a dead person.

It’s that simple.

I don’t know if Jackson Mahomes is sincere when he says he is remorseful for preening on a memorial dedicated to a former player for the Washington Football Team who was murdered during a home invasion 14 years ago. The Washington franchise didn’t do the younger Mahomes any favors by allowing guests with pregame field passes to stand near a roped off area with a burgundy and gold No. 21 (Sean Taylor’s uniform number) painted on the sideline at FedEx Field. This is where Jackson Mahomes produced his dance number, widely viewed on TikTok and shared on other social media platforms.

Jackson Mahomes was immediately vilified for disrespecting the memory of Taylor, who bled to death after being shot during a robbery in his Miami home in 2007. The WFT honored Taylor’s memory by retiring his jersey during halftime of the team’s game against the Chiefs.

Mahomes apparently recognized his misstep — but not soon enough

“I want to sincerely apologize for accidentally being on the Sean Taylor #21 at FedEx Field,” Jackson Mahomes wrote Sunday on Twitter. “We were directed to stand in that area and I meant absolutely no disrespect to him or his family.”

Youthful exuberance aside, why is Jackson Mahomes celebrating on the sideline at all?

His brother is known for being chill and humble. Jackson Mahomes’ antics were offensive to not only the Taylor family but to his older brother’s hard work. Show out elsewhere, young man, not in the same arena, literally, as your superstar older sibling.

The incident was the second time this season Jackson Mahomes’ behavior was called into question. He was the subject of a police investigation after he tossed water on a heckling Baltimore Ravens fan at a game in Maryland last month. The alleged victim declined to press charges.

Listen, as attention starved as the younger Mahomes seems to be, we must take into account he is only 21. A kid, if you will.

I think back to when I was that age and let me tell you, I made many foolish mistakes that thankfully were never broadcast for all to see. But my older brother wasn’t a league MVP and the face of a professional football franchise. Jackson Mahomes has almost 1 million followers on TikTok. He has a platform. He should use it wisely.

Jackson Mahomes got off easy in Baltimore. He apologized for his actions in D.C. But his act could wear thin in Kansas City if he keeps going down this road.