KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Adrion Roberson calmly watched 15 unassuming youth football players chat with one another, but he was giddy inside because of the surprise that was about to be sprung on them.

Three weeks prior, Chiefs officials told Roberson, the founder of KC United, a youth sports and education initiative, to invite the league’s players who most excelled in academics and athletics to a special event

Roberson, the players and their parents arrived at the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Leawood, Kan., on a Tuesday night in late November. Awaiting the players were snacks and free Wilson youth footballs. As Roberson discussed the upcoming event with employees from the store — in an unsuccessful attempt to learn more details of what was about to take place — the players, ages 8-13, took the footballs out of the boxes.

Some players, which were members of different teams in the league, placed their new ball in their right hand. They practiced their throwing motion, with most of the players mentioning the professional player who has been at the center of almost every football conversation in Kansas City this season: quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

When the event began, Roberson watched the expressions of the players light up when a store employee told them they were each receiving a $125 gift card to purchase anything they desired. The employee also gave the players a distinctive prop: wigs featuring curly hair attached to a black headband, Mahomes’ signature when he is not wearing his helmet during games. With Roberson alongside the players for photos, Mahomes snuck in behind them.

“All right, let’s say Chiefs on three!” Mahomes shouted. Roberson turned to his right, saw Mahomes a foot from him, and his mouth went agape. “One, two, three!” Mahomes shouted. “Chiefs!” the players yelled in excitement. It was sneaky, indeed, but Mahomes has been doing this all season, making unexpected appearances at events in Kansas City that left people amazed.

The players at Dick’s Sporting Goods smiled when they saw Mahomes, and their parents took out their smartphones to capture the moment. Mahomes, though, wasn’t done surprising the group. He grabbed a large display check and asked: “Where’s the coach at?”

As Roberson shook Mahomes’ hand, he was presented with a $5,000 donation from the Sports Matter program, a Dick’s Sporting Goods initiative that assists and raises awareness for the many underfunded youth leagues in America. Mahomes told Roberson that the donation was to help KC United next season. As the group took more photos with the check, Roberson couldn’t hide his overwhelming emotion. He bowed his head, placed his right hand over his face and cried.

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