KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce insists the only time he recently thought about retirement was when he drove past a billboard on the way to work that showed the Powerball jackpot.
But if Thursday night’s game against the Denver Broncos was the last time Kelce played at Arrowhead Stadium, he made it a memorable one. Kelce had five catches for 36 yards and was the last Chiefs player introduced, emerging from the fog then making his bow-and-arrow signature entrance as the crowd roared. Kelce, likewise, took in the moment.
“You only get a few of those where you just get to stand there and appreciate 60-70 thousand Chiefs fans screaming for you,” Kelce said. “I always embrace that moment, man. It’s fun. Hopefully I got everybody fired up for it.”
Though the Chiefs lost 20-13 and fell to 6-10 on the season, Kelce said he still felt the adoration from the fans, who have cheered him on for 13 seasons. His rookie year was Andy Reid’s first with the Chiefs, and Kelce began that year watching from the suite with a knee injury.
Similar to then, Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew watched from a suite as they are out with knee injuries. Fiancee Taylor Swift also watched.
“You feel the kids and the generations of happiness and the generations of love that (the fans) have coming together on Sunday’s and cheering for their team,” Kelce said. “It’s a beautiful thing, man. It’s something I know I’ll cherish forever is those moments coming out of that tunnel or just making a big play for them late in the game. That’s why we love Arrowhead.”
As Kelce left the field, he hugged players then slapped hands with fans as he ducked into the tunnel. The Chiefs will finish the season Jan. 4 at Las Vegas, and if Kelce plays he could etch his name into the record book even more. He needs just 10 yards receiving to reach 13,000 for his career.
But is there a chance he could return and play next year?
Kelce said he hasn’t talked with Mahomes, Reid or the Chiefs about playing or retiring yet but indicated the needle could be straight up and down.
“I’ve been focused on trying to win football games,” Kelce said. “I’ll let that be a decision I make with family, friends, the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”
