Travis Kelce solidified his legacy as one of the NFL’s greatest tight ends on Christmas Day by breaking yet another Kansas City Chiefs franchise record.
During the Chiefs’ dominant 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kelce caught his 77th career touchdown, surpassing Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez’s long-standing record for the most receiving touchdowns in team history.
Kelce dunks his way to franchise greatness
The record-breaking moment came in the second quarter on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, extending the Chiefs’ lead to three scores.
Kelce marked the milestone with a celebratory dunk over the goalpost, a nod to Gonzalez’s signature touchdown celebration.
The move earned a penalty flag, but Gonzalez had previously promised to cover any fines Kelce might incur for honoring his iconic celebration.
For Kelce, this achievement is just the latest in a career that has repeatedly rewritten the Chiefs’ record books.
Earlier this season, he eclipsed Gonzalez’s records for career receptions and receiving yards with the franchise.
Kelce entered the Christmas Day game just four receptions shy of 1,000 for his career, a milestone he achieved in the third quarter, making him only the 15th player in NFL history to reach that mark.
“Tony Gonzalez set the bar for what it means to be an elite tight end,”Kelce said earlier this year.
“To even be mentioned alongside him is an incredible honor.”
Gonzalez, who played for the Chiefs from 1997 to 2008, earned 10 Pro Bowl selections during his tenure and remains one of the most celebrated players in franchise history.
However, Kelce has now matched and surpassed many of his predecessor’s accomplishments on the field, further cementing his place among the all-time greats.
The Chiefs’ victory also secured the AFC’s top seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, adding to the team’s Christmas cheer.
With Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid leading the way, Kansas City looks poised for another deep postseason run.
While Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was not in attendance for the historic game, she has been a consistent supporter throughout his record-setting season.
Swift reportedly spent the holiday with her family but cheered Kelce on from afar.
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