Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrated the triumphant return of quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Monday night, and so did a select group of sports bettors. The three-time Super Bowl MVP played his first game since suffering a torn ACL last December, so the odds of him immediately sprinting into the end zone seemed slim. KC signed Kenneth Walker III, in part, to help ease its superstar QB's burden, but Mahomes had no interest in riding with training wheels.

No. 15 darted toward the end zone on the Chiefs' first drive of the game, which came directly after a Mansoor Delane interception near the 50-yard line. He appeared to either score a touchdown or get stopped just short of the plane, but a holding call quickly ended the suspense and pushed the offense back to the Broncos' 15-yard line. Mahomes was undeterred, however, and expertly avoided defenders en route to his first score of the season.

Sports betting personality Gavin McHugh believed in the two-time regular season MVP, wagering $100 on a Mahomes first TD prop. He went through an array of emotions while watching Kansas City work its way further down the field. He was excited, distraught and then absolutely delirious. McHugh's fearlessness won him more than $2,000. The shirt came off, and bedlam ensued. The man who provided this heart-stopping moment saw the reaction video later, and decided to respond.

Sort of. Patrick Mahomes posted six crying laughing emojis on X, just a couple hours after the Chiefs earned a 31-10 home victory over their divisional foe.

😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/QpMLwfhsra

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) September 15, 2026

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He understands how seriously people can take gambling, and since he has probably been bombarded with countless hate messages for failing to reward a risky bet, the 30-year-old likely wanted to recognize a supportive yet bonkers video. Mahomes set out to prove that he has no limitations. McHugh banked on the tremendous signal-caller sending a message to the entire sports world, and he was rewarded immensely.

Mahomes did not post eye-popping numbers — 15-of-27 for 184 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing seven times for 23 yards and the aforementioned score — but he surpassed a crucial checkpoint and helped his team defeat the reigning AFC West champions. Considering all the time and energy he spent to get healthy again, this should be a night that the Tyler, Texas native never forgets.

Gavin McHugh will say the same, or rather scream it to the mountaintops.