A Complete Guide to NFL Athletes’ Pets: Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and More Are Proud Dog Owners

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A Complete Guide to NFL Athletes' Pets: Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and More Are Proud Dog Owners

Many NFL champions can count on their sweet pups for support after an intense workout or football game. Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Matthews, are the proud dog parents to pit bull Steel and Cane Corso Silver. “He's an awesome dog — very loving, very energetic,” the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback told the Kansas City Star in 2019 about Steel. “He's like my best friend. It's a great dog to have. … It was a joint decision [to adopt Silver, because Brittany] definitely wanted it. I was trying to wait until the offseason, but she wanted to get it up here quickly.” Mahomes is hardly the only professional football player to find comfort in a four-legged companion. Russell Wilson, for his part, shares three Great Danes with wife Ciara. “I love No. 3, so I always wanted to have three Great Danes,” Wilson said in an April 2019 video for the Seattle Seahawks, showing off pups Prince, Naomi and Hero. “They all feel like they’re brothers and sisters, that’s for sure. They like wrestling each other, that’s pretty much what they do for fun most of the day.” Scroll below to meet the canine companions of the top NFL athletes:

Credit: Courtesy of Hannah Ann Sluss/Instagram

Jake Funk

The Indianapolis Colts athlete and fiancée Hannah Ann Sluss welcomed a Bernedoodle puppy, named Dash, in August 2022.

Credit: Courtesy of Patrick Mahomes/Instagram

Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes and Matthews frequently dote on Steel and Silver via the pups’ own Instagram account.

Credit: Courtesy of Tom Brady/Instagram

Tom Brady

Whether cuddling with Brady’s three kids or hanging out with the TB12 founder on Halloween, his pups steal the show via social media. (Brady shares son Jack with ex Bridget Moynahan and kids Vivian and Benjamin with Bündchen.)

Credit: Courtesy of Joe Burrow/Instagram

Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and girlfriend Olivia Holzmacher adopted a miniature Goldendoodle, Beau, in December 2017.

Credit: Courtesy of Travis Kelce/Instagram

Travis Kelce

Kelce is a proud dog dad to Goldendoodle Rambo and Pomeranian-husky mix Chauncey.

Credit: Courtesy of JuJu Smith-Schuster/Instagram

JuJu Smith-Schuster

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver launched a social media account for his French bulldog, Boujee.

Credit: Courtesy of Russell Wilson/Instagram

Russell Wilson

Wilson, who was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 2022, shares his Great Danes with wife Ciara and their children Sierra, Win and Future, the singer’s son with rapper Future. Wilson surprised Ciara with a new puppy, named for the Denver Broncos, in May 2022.

Credit: Courtesy of Kirk Cousins/Instagram

Kirk Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings athlete adopted dog Abe in August 2019.

Credit: Courtesy of Carson Wentz/Instagram

Carson Wentz

Wentz and his wife, Madison Oberg, have three golden retrievers.

Credit: Courtesy of JJ Watt/Instagram

JJ Watt

The defensive end frequently gushes over pups Tex and Finley.

Credit: Courtesy of Ezekiel Elliott/Instagram

Ezekiel Elliot

The Dallas Cowboys athlete has three pups: Ace, Deuce and Jack Jack.