Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce Ignite a High School Debate Team’s Path to National Glory at 1587 Prime

Kansas City, MO — On a crisp evening during the soft opening of their upscale steakhouse, 1587 Prime, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce welcomed a local high school debate team for an unforgettable night of inspiration and surprises. The event, held on August 17, 2025, at the Loews Kansas City Hotel, was more than a celebratory dinner—it was a turning point for the young debaters, who left with signed notebooks filled with personal tips from the NFL stars and a mysterious note that fueled their journey to a national championship.

A Stage for Kansas City’s Future Leaders

1587 Prime, set to officially open on September 17, 2025, is a modern American steakhouse named after Mahomes’ jersey number (15) and Kelce’s (87). Partnering with Noble 33, the 10,000-square-foot, two-story venue is designed to blend Kansas City’s passion for food and football. With a stadium-inspired tunnel entrance, a stunning meat display, and private dining rooms featuring red marble tabletops and brass inlay tick markers, the restaurant feels like an extension of Arrowhead Stadium. The menu, teased in a viral taste-test video, boasts indulgent dishes like A5 Wagyu carpaccio, truffle ponzu tuna tartare, and flavored butters such as bone marrow and hibiscus, promising a dining experience as bold as the Chiefs’ playbook.

Mahomes and Kelce have positioned 1587 Prime as a community hub, a place where Kansas City’s diverse talents—culinary, athletic, and intellectual—can shine. Their decision to host the Lincoln Prep High School debate team, a group of driven students known for their eloquence and resilience, reflects their commitment to uplifting the city’s youth.

A Night of Connection and Celebration

The soft opening event was an intimate affair, held in one of 1587 Prime’s private dining rooms, transformed into a warm, inviting space for the 12-member debate team and their coach. The students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, had earned local recognition but faced financial and logistical challenges competing on a national stage. Mahomes and Kelce, aware of the team’s potential through their community foundations, invited them to celebrate their recent regional win and inspire their future ambitions.

The evening began with the NFL stars greeting each student personally, sharing stories of their own high school experiences and the mental toughness required in both football and debate. The team dined on a curated menu featuring 1587 Prime’s signature dishes, including Wagyu smash burgers, togarashi fried chicken, and a steak flight with premium cuts like Black Angus ribeye. The atmosphere was vibrant, with soft jazz playing in the background and the restaurant’s football-inspired decor—complete with field-line-inspired brass inlays—adding a touch of Chiefs pride.

“It was like debating in the end zone,” said Aaliyah Carter, a junior and team captain. “Patrick and Travis treated us like we were already champions. They asked about our arguments, our strategies—it felt like they really cared.”

A Surprise That Sparked Inspiration

After dinner, Mahomes and Kelce addressed the team, praising their dedication and drawing parallels between the quick thinking required in debate and on the football field. Then came the moment that left the room buzzing. Each student received a leather-bound notebook, embossed with the 1587 Prime logo and signed by both players. Inside, Mahomes and Kelce had written personalized tips for success, tailored to each debater’s strengths. For Aaliyah, Mahomes wrote, “Your voice is your playbook—own every word like it’s the final play.” For sophomore Ethan Ruiz, Kelce penned, “Stay loose, stay sharp, and always trust your gut.”

But the true game-changer was a single page tucked into each notebook, marked with a red tab and labeled “The Secret to Victory.” The note, written in Mahomes’ handwriting, read: “Champions don’t just speak—they listen, adapt, and believe. We’re funding your trip to the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament. Show the world what Kansas City’s made of.” The revelation that Mahomes’ 15 and the Mahomies Foundation and Kelce’s Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation would cover all expenses—travel, lodging, and registration—for the team to compete nationally brought the students to their feet, with some wiping away tears of disbelief.

“I read that note and felt like I could take on the world,” said Ethan. “Knowing Patrick and Travis believed in us—it changed how we saw ourselves.”

A Journey to National Victory

The secret funding was a turning point for the Lincoln Prep debate team. Motivated by the encouragement and the opportunity, they doubled down on their preparation, using the notebooks to jot down strategies and revisit the players’ advice. The team’s coach, Ms. Denise Harper, noted a shift in their confidence: “Those notebooks weren’t just gifts—they were a reminder that someone saw their potential. It lit a fire in them.”

In June 2026, the team traveled to the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Dallas, Texas, fully funded by the foundations. Drawing on the resilience and adaptability Mahomes and Kelce emphasized, the team delivered powerhouse performances, with Aaliyah earning top speaker honors in Lincoln-Douglas debate and the team securing the national championship in Public Forum. They returned to Kansas City as heroes, with local media and fans celebrating their victory as a testament to the city’s spirit.

Social media erupted with pride, with one X user posting, “Mahomes and Kelce didn’t just give those kids notebooks—they gave them a shot at greatness. National champs from KC!” Another wrote, “That secret note? Pure Chiefs magic. Those kids are unstoppable now.”

A Legacy of Empowerment

The event aligns with Mahomes and Kelce’s ongoing commitment to Kansas City’s youth. Through their foundations, they’ve supported initiatives like youth programs, scholarships, and community events, always emphasizing the power of belief and opportunity. Hosting the debate team was a natural extension of their mission to uplift those who represent the city’s future.

“Debate is about finding your voice and standing tall,” Mahomes said during the event. “These kids are Kansas City’s next leaders, and we’re proud to back them.” Kelce added, “It’s not just about winning arguments—it’s about building confidence. We can’t wait to see where they go.”

As 1587 Prime prepares for its grand opening, with reservations opening on August 20, 2025, at noon CST, the restaurant is shaping up to be more than a dining destination. It’s a place where Kansas City’s talents—culinary, athletic, and intellectual—converge. The debate team’s story has added to the buzz, with fans eager to visit a venue that embodies the Chiefs’ spirit of community and excellence.

For the Lincoln Prep debaters, the signed notebooks remain cherished keepsakes, filled with notes from their championship journey. The secret funding was the spark, but it was their determination—and the inspiration from Mahomes and Kelce—that carried them to victory. As Aaliyah put it, “They gave us more than a trip—they gave us the courage to dream bigger than we ever thought possible.”