With the draft just days away, the Kansas City Chiefs took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, celebrating Travis Kelce’s selection with a heartfelt video. Twelve years have passed since the tight end joined the franchise that transformed him into a superstar-and the rest is history.
Today, Kelce is known as a three-time Super Bowl champion, the trusted wingman of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a star pupil of head coach Andy Reid, and the boyfriend of pop icon Taylor Swift.
But few remember the emotional rollercoaster Kelce experienced on April 16, 2013, as he feared being overlooked in the draft. That despair quickly turned to jubilation when the Chiefs selected him-a moment the team recently revisited in a touching tribute.
Kansas City honors Travis Kelce’s draft day
The Chiefs have never been ones to forget their fans-or their stars. In a special Instagram post, the team shared footage of the moment Kelce was drafted.
The video shows Kelce sitting in his dining room, surrounded by family, watching the draft with his head in his hands. The atmosphere is tense, even somber. But in an instant, everything changes.
On-screen, team CEO Clark Hunt announces, “With the 63rd pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Travis Kelce.”
The reaction is immediate. Cheers erupt in the background as Kelce jumps to his feet, hugging his mother, Donna. The caption accompanying the video reads, “This pick worked out, right @killatrav?” Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, responded, “And the rest is history.”
Kelce returns for another shot at glory
The Chiefs’ heartbreaking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX was a tough pill to swallow-especially for Kelce. Following the unexpected setback, speculation about his retirement began swirling. But Kelce put the rumors to rest with a definitive announcement: He’s coming back.
In early March, on an episode of New Heights, Kelce admitted that the loss to the Eagles played a role in his decision to return. However, he emphasized his unwavering passion for football:
“The biggest thing is that I f*cking love playing the game of football. I love playing. I still think I can play at a high level, and possibly at an even higher level than I did last year.”
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