Is 'Patrick Mahomes kissing ref' meme real? Viral AI X post debunked

Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ golden boy, always manages to make headlines—whether it’s for his game-winning plays or, in this case, a bizarre viral meme. An AI-generated image of Mahomes seemingly kissing an NFL referee has taken social media by storm, sending rival fans into a frenzy and sparking endless debates about officiating bias. For those wondering what's happening, NO, the Patrick Mahomes kissing ref meme IS NOT REAL, it is AI-generated.

The photo, though completely fake, struck a chord with NFL fans who are already vocal about the Chiefs allegedly receiving special treatment from referees. What started as an absurd image quickly became a comedic lightning rod for all the frustration and rivalry swirling around the NFL.

You can watch the viral AI-generated video here.

The Origin of the Mahomes Meme: A (Very) Close Call

Like most viral moments, the "Mahomes kissing the ref" meme didn't appear out of nowhere. It first showed up on social media as a fake photo of the Kansas City quarterback sharing an affectionate kiss with an official. The meme quickly spread like wildfire, with the image cropping up in countless posts from fans, critics, and anyone who thought they were witnessing the most ridiculous thing ever.

However, as with any good meme, the truth behind it was far less romantic and much more techy. The image wasn’t snapped during a game; it was a product of artificial intelligence (AI) at work. The meme’s AI origins became clear rather quickly once the image was debunked. But while the story behind it might not be "real," the laughs were. The meme leaned into one of the oldest NFL gripes: the belief that referees give the Chiefs, especially Mahomes, way too many favorable calls.

Fans of the NFL are no strangers to venting on social media, and when the meme exploded online, the reactions were as spicy as you’d expect.

“Hey there, Mr. Smooch!” one fan quipped, their comment racking up the likes and laughs. (Via @EmersonLotzia on X)

It’s hard to say whether the Bills Mafia was more offended by the idea of Mahomes kissing the refs or just the idea of the Chiefs winning at all.

One particularly salty fan summed up their thoughts with,

“Without the refs, Patrick Mahomes is just a slightly above-average quarterback with zero rings. I said what I said.” Ouch. (Via @49erHodge on X)

You can almost feel the tension in the air as the meme became a go-to for anyone with an opinion on Mahomes’ “referee-assisted” victories.

Of course, the best part? It wasn’t just rival fans who were amused. Plenty of Chiefs fans took to social media to laugh along with the rest, showing they could appreciate the humor in the absurdity of it all.

(Via @AshleyPerkins89 on X)

The meme took off for a few reasons. First, the absurdity of it all: the idea that Mahomes would be sharing a kiss with an NFL referee? Ridiculous. But that’s exactly what made it so entertaining. The ridiculousness of the meme perfectly aligned with how fans often joke about officials giving the Chiefs too much love. It was a way to exaggerate the long-standing accusations of bias in a way that was both hilarious and a little over the top.

Second, the meme was an excellent example of how the internet loves to run with something totally out of context. Add a sprinkle of sarcasm and the perfect combination of rivalry humor, and you've got a meme that was destined for meme-history status. The "kiss" was an easy metaphor for the extra attention referees seemed to give the Chiefs and Mahomes, whether it was true or not.

It didn’t hurt that AI made it even more ridiculous. People quickly realized that the image wasn’t a captured moment from a game but a manufactured one. An X user chimed,

"Good to see Mahomes and the Refs embrace after their win together." (via @austinliniewski on X)

Though that came to light, it didn’t stop anyone from enjoying the joke. If anything, it made the meme even funnier. The fact that technology was behind this out-of-place image just made it feel like an even more brilliant piece of satire.

While the meme might have been an AI-generated work of art, it’s important to recognize that it was never meant to be taken seriously. It’s not a real moment—it’s an over-the-top caricature of everything fans already joke about.

But for the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, the whole thing just adds to the fun, even if it’s at the expense of their relationship with NFL officiating. And whether you love them or hate them, you can’t deny that the meme is hilarious. Is it weird? Absolutely. Does it speak to some real frustrations about referees? Sure. But in the end, it’s just another example of how sports memes capture the strange humor that only fans can understand.

So, while the “Mahomes kissing the ref” meme may not be real, it was somewhat a reflection of how fans view the Chiefs, the refs, and the always-dramatic world of NFL memes.