Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce told fans Friday what playoff football meant to him ahead of their AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans.
The announcement came as Kelce talked about retirement on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” earlier this week.
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December 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) watches the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. (Barry Reeger-Imagn Photos)
“Playoff football is the most meaningful football you’ll ever play in your life,” he said in a video posted to the Chiefs’ Instagram account. “I appreciate every play, man. I really do. When you’re in it, you’re always trying to strive for greatness.
“To be bigger than what you are. You know, obviously there’s a historic run and something that we can accomplish that no other team has ever accomplished. You know, it fuels you.”
Kelce admitted on the podcast that he will “reevaluate” some things this offseason.
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5 January 2025; Denver, Colorado: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks the sideline during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photos)
“I love everything I do in this building, but at the end of the day, I don’t have the extreme success on the field that I have individually,” Kelce told Smith. “… I’m going to reassess it, like I always do, and I’m probably going to tell myself how much I love this thing and I’ll be back next year.
“I still love coming into the building every day, it’s going to be tough, yes, but I’m not doing it for the stats. I’m doing it for the greatness, the legacy that we’ve created here in Kansas City,” he added… I can’t imagine what it would feel like to just be able to say I’m satisfied because I’m still hungry to go get something right now.”
Kelce faced all kinds of criticism during the season, with accusations that he was washed up or spending too much time with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. He still managed to have 97 catches for 823 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games.
Even at age 35, Kelce was healthy all season and only missed Week 18 when the Chiefs decided to rest their starters, having already completed a bye week. With a tinge of retirement in the air as the season enters its final stretch, Kelce was asked if Swift had any thoughts of calling it a career.
Kelce says feeling the support from Swift has been an “amazing experience.” (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kelce said he has the support of Swift to continue playing if he wants to.
