Mahomes was at the club for a photo shoot and asked to meet the England pair. The conversation quickly moved beyond introductions, with Watkins hearing about the quarterback’s career and his early links to Dallas.
The Aston Villa forward told Mahomes that Dallas Stadium was his favourite venue and revealed that he owns a Mahomes jersey. Yet Watkins also admitted he was not especially overawed, largely because he does not closely follow the NFL.
That reaction underlined the difference between sporting cultures. Mahomes is one of the most recognisable figures in American sport, but Watkins said some of his friends would have been far more excited by the encounter.
For England’s players, these meetings are more than memorable holiday moments. Watkins has spoken positively about the opportunity to exchange ideas with elite athletes from different sports, particularly around training, preparation and lifestyle.
The squad’s golf outings have provided a welcome change of pace during a demanding tournament, while the Kansas City setting has placed the players close to the city’s sporting icons. Mahomes has already attended matches at Arrowhead Stadium, adding another layer to the relationship between the host city and the visiting team.
Watkins also briefly met former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who visited England’s camp and was initially speaking with captain Harry Kane before Watkins introduced himself.
As England’s World Cup campaign develops, the focus will return to the pitch. But the conversations with Mahomes and Brady offer a reminder that the tournament is also creating unexpected sporting connections - and Watkins appears ready to make the most of them.