The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl for the third straight year, as they will be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl 57 rematch. And as has frequently been the case, superstar tight end Travis Kelce played a big role in helping the Chiefs find their way back to the big game. Kelce’s numbers in 2024 were solid (97 catches for 823 yards and three scores), but they weren’t what fans were accustomed to seeing from him, and there was concern that his age was catching up to him. Kelce heard the complaints from folks, especially after his slow start early in the season, but it was never something that concerned him.

“It’s fun, man. As long as I’m going out there and we’re winning, baby, that’s all that matters,” Kelce said after Kansas City’s victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game. It’s been clear for years that Kelce is a superstar, but that wasn’t always the case. One guy who saw Kelce’s potential before anyone else did was his high school offensive coordinator Kahari Hicks, who shared some kind words about his former player ahead of the Super Bowl.

“Travis was always charismatic, always a leader. Everything that you’re seeing right now, none of it really surprises me. He commanded a very strong understanding of the offense. People listened to him, but most importantly, he was a really, really good teammate. He was a team-first player,” Hicks said on “Huddle UK.”

‘Travis Kelce is the ultimate competitor!’ @tkelce’s High School Offensive Coordinator @kahari_hicks always knew the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was going to be special! #ChiefsKingdom#NFLpic.twitter.com/U9bnSYWUAA — HuddleUK (@JoinTheHuddleUK) February 1, 2025 It wasn’t always a guarantee Kelce would make in the NFL, as he played in just one game as a rookie back in 2013. But Hicks saw what his former player was capable of, and now, Kelce will attempt to help the Chiefs become the first team to win three straight titles when they take the field next for the Super Bowl.