Patrick Mahomes' Brother is a Vermonter with NFL Aspirations. Who Knew?

Raised in Shelburne and Hinesburg, the 24-year-old Walker grew up far from the Texas spotlight that shaped Mahomes.

In the shadow of Patrick Mahomes’ NFL stardom, a lesser-known story is unfolding from the quiet hills of Vermont. Graham Walker, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s paternal half-brother, is chasing his own NFL dreams, and his journey is as Green Mountain as it gets.

Raised in Shelburne and Hinesburg, the 24-year-old Walker grew up far from the Texas spotlight that shaped Mahomes. With his mother, Jessamyn Walker, and stepfather, Gerry Howatt, Walker learned the Vermont way—community, humility, and a knack for getting along with just about anyone. “Vermont taught me how to connect with the person next to you,” he told Seven Days recently, a lesson that’s carried him from local fields to the cusp of professional football.

At Champlain Valley Union High School, Walker was a standout, earning all-state honors in both football and basketball. His athletic versatility shone early—baseball was his first love, but hoops and the gridiron soon followed. That talent took him to Avon Old Farms, a Connecticut prep school, before landing at Brown University, where he racked up 1,496 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns as an All-Ivy wide receiver. Not content to rest on those laurels, Walker transferred to Rice University in 2024, switching to tight end to boost his NFL prospects. There, he hauled in 24 catches for 252 yards, proving he could adapt and compete.

What’s the Mahomes connection? The two share a father, Pat Mahomes Sr., a former MLB pitcher, and a sports agency, Equity Sports. Despite their different upbringings—Mahomes in Tyler, Texas, Walker in Vermont’s small towns—they’ve kept in touch. Patrick, a three-time Super Bowl champ, has been watching Walker’s games, sending messages of encouragement. “When someone who’s accomplished so much says you’re doing well, it feels good,” Walker said. His recent invite to the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp, where Mahomes holds court, only adds intrigue to their story.

Walker’s NFL path isn’t guaranteed. After declaring for the 2025 draft, he’s eyeing a spot as a late pick or undrafted free agent. His Pro Day stats—4.82-second 40-yard dash, 34.5-inch vertical, and 18 bench press reps—show he’s got the physical tools. But instead of glitz and glamour, Walker planned to watch the draft from his family’s Vermont home, grounded in the place that shaped him.

Beyond the field, Walker’s a well-rounded Vermonter. He’s helped with Special Olympics, earned Dean’s List honors at Brown, and carries the kind of quiet confidence that makes you root for him. Whether he lands with the Chiefs or elsewhere, one thing’s clear: Vermont’s got a new name to cheer for, and he’s got a famous brother cheering, too. Who knew?

Sources: Seven Days, Burlington Free Press, Brown University Athletics, Rice University Athletics