Travis Kelce is opening up about how this season went with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 36-year-old tight end got candid on his New Heights podcast with brother Jason Kelce on Wednesday (December 17).
Keep reading to find out more…
Travis has been playing for 13 seasons so far since 2013, and this is the first time the Chiefs have been knocked out of playoffs contention in over a decade.
“We got three games left … the integrity of who you are as a professional, as a player, you gotta love this s–t, man. And Chiefs Kingdom, we’re gonna give you everything we got. There’s no question about that,” he explained.
“There’s only one way I do things, there’s only one way Coach Reid does things, and if we’re gonna go out there and play some football, we’re gonna do it the right way and keep trying to get these things fixed and end on the highest note we can.”
“I’m the only one that’s been on the team long enough to see us not make the playoffs or to play a game that [ends that way]. You know, it’s obviously f–ked up, but it’s a new feeling,” he admitted.
“So all I know is to go out there and play my a– off and to show up, and you know, give my guys the best chance to win. And I think that’s the mentality. There’s an integrity thing here that when you sign up for the gig, you’re living out your dreams, you’re living out a kid’s dream that never got a chance to do this. You’re playing this game, obviously to win Super Bowls. You’re playing this game to be in those playoff scenarios and stuff, but at the end of the day, man, you’re playing in the NFL. And that’s a f–king blessing. That’s an honor.”
“It’s an honor to be out there, it’s an honor to feel the soreness after a game because you were actually out there. You’re f–king doing it. And no matter if you’re getting the f–king ball thrown to you, no matter if you’re blocking your tail off…it’s an honor to be out there in a uniform, playing for the guys around you, playing for your family, playing for the people back home that are watching you, that have known you since you were a little kid dreaming about this moment,” he went on to say.
Travis added: “I’ll tell you what, man, if there’s a game to be had, I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna love f–king playing in it, no matter if it’s a game that’s in the playoffs or gets us in the playoffs or a game that, you know, seems like it doesn’t have any implications of that. That’s the integrity you gotta go out there with.”
At the same time, in the final moments of their playoff contention-losing game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL.
“He’s a warrior, man. I’m telling you,” Travis said.
“This guy’s played through everything, battled through everything, has been crowned champion because he’s battled through everything. And he’s gonna battle through this, it’s the only way this guy is wired. He’s a fearless, fearless warrior when it comes to this football thing and he’s gonna make sure that he comes back stronger than ever. Hopefully the Chiefs can get him back as soon as possible. … I know he’s gonna be doing everything he can to get back on the field for the Chiefs as soon as possible,” Travis explained.
“To see 1-5 go down like that, man … it was almost like it wasn’t real. S–t just sucks, man. For a guy that puts in that much and puts his body on the line, week in, week out … it sucks, man.”
His brother Jason also addressed whether Travis will retire.