Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, embraces the role of being a polarizing figure in the NFL. While his relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift has catapulted him further into the celebrity spotlight, his team’s dominance on the field has drawn mixed reactions from fans. Outside of Kansas City, some NFL enthusiasts are growing weary of the Chiefs’ consistent success, especially as they’ve become a fixture in Super Bowl conversations.
This sentiment was amplified following their dramatic 32-29 AFC Championship win over the Buffalo Bills, a game that sparked debates over officiating decisions favoring Kansas City.
On his New Heights podcast, hosted with his brother Jason Kelce, Travis candidly discussed his feelings about being cast as a villain in the league. “I love it. At one point in time it wasn’t (like) that,” the 35-year-old said. Reflecting on his journey, he added, “I was the, ‘Do you feel bad for them guys.’ I’m enjoying doing this work with the guys we have in there because it makes us even more of a family.”
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Kelce emphasized how external criticism has strengthened the bond within the Chiefs’ locker room. “You just circle the wagons. When people are saying whatever they want, you’re just banded together and it just makes you appreciate more what you have because people want what you have.“
Kelce and Mahomes aim for historic three-peat
The Chiefs’ recent dominance, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has cemented their status as an NFL dynasty. Over the past five seasons, they’ve won three Super Bowls and reached at least the conference championship in the other two. Now, they’re on the cusp of making history as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 2025, aiming to become the first NFL team to achieve a three-peat.
However, Kelce insists that this historic milestone hasn’t distracted the team. “We don’t talk about it at all,” he said. “It hasn’t been mentioned one time outside of being asked about it in the media. Everybody in the building is just focused on doing their job. That’s how we got here.”
The upcoming Super Bowl is a rematch of their nail-biting 38-35 victory over the Eagles two years ago. Kelce acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “We know Philly has the sour taste in their mouth from that one. They’re the best f-king team we’re going to play all year. It’s going to be electric.” Adding to the spectacle, Taylor Swift is expected to attend the February 9 showdown in New Orleans, a detail that has only heightened public interest-and criticism-surrounding Kelce’s high-profile life both on and off the field.
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