Tag: Travis Kelce

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Taylor Swift reacts after Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (not pictured) scores a touchdown in the 2024 AFC divisional round game between against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Goodell all for relationship between Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has attended two Taylor Swift concerts with his two daughters and his wife, but chances are, he never thought his status as a “Swiftie” would bleed over into the workplace.

But it has.

Swift has taken the NFL world by storm due to her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and Goodell had nothing but good things to say on Monday about the couple’s impact on football.

“Having the ‘Taylor Swift effect’ is also a positive,” Goodell told reporters. “Both Travis and Taylor are wonderful young people, and they seem very happy. She knows great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football.

“Obviously, it creates a buzz. It creates another group of young fans, particularly young women, that are interested in seeing why she is going to this game, why she is interested in this game. Besides (her relationship with) Travis, she is a football fan, and I think that’s great for us.”

Kansas City beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 28, leading some fans to believe that the outcome was pre-planned in order to have Swift draw more viewers for the Super Bowl. The 14-time Grammy Award winner is expected to be in attendance when the Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, but Goodell made it clear that he is far from capable of cooking up such a storyline.

“I don’t think I’m that good of a scripter — or anybody on our staff,” Goodell said. “Listen, there is no way I could have scripted that one, let’s put it that way.”

Swift has been spotted at 12 of Kelce’s games this season, with Kansas City coming out on top in nine of them. She first attended the Chiefs’ 41-10 victory over the Chicago Bears back on Sept. 24.

Of course, there has been some backlash from the NFL’s focus on Swift over the past five months, but Goodell is hoping that she sticks around.

“I think anybody in this society, when they’re in a public position, (is) going to be subject to criticism,” Goodell said. “Taylor is obviously a dynamo. Everything she touches, there are people following. So we count ourselves fortunate and we welcome it.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce rejects retirement talk, focuses on third ring

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LAS VEGAS — Travis Kelce doesn’t appear to be slowing down at age 34, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end has no plans to quit playing the game anytime soon.

With Kelce’s brother, 36-year-old center Jason Kelce, pondering retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles, the rumor mill has swirled around Travis’ future, too.

Travis Kelce made it clear during Monday’s Super Bowl Opening Night that Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers will not be his final game.

“I love coming into the building and playing this game more than anybody and I know I’m going to miss it when it’s over with,” Travis Kelce said. “I can’t put a timestamp on it, but I know I’m going to enjoy every single bit of this one.”

Besides, Kelce has a lot of accomplishments to add to his impressive postseason legacy.

He became the all-time leader in playoff receptions during the Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens last month. His 11 catches raised his output to 156, five more than San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice amassed.

Kelce ranks second in postseason receiving yardage (1,810) and touchdown catches (19). Rice is the leader in both those categories with 2,245 and 22, respectively.

“When the lights are brighter, he plays better,” Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Kelce. “There’s comfort in just having another leader out there who shows the guys that’s how to get it done.”

Kelce, a nine-time Pro Bowl pick, is viewed as one of the NFL’s all-time great tight ends. He is on a list that includes names from different eras such as John Mackey, Kellen Winslow, Shannon Sharpe, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski.

However, he is more obsessed about winning a third Super Bowl ring. Kelce won one against the 49ers to conclude the 2019 season and another last year against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Yet he says the one he didn’t win still hurts.

“I’ve been on a mission ever since I won my first Super Bowl,” Kelce said. “We made it back to the Super Bowl (to end the 2020 season) and we lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s motivated me to get back to this point right here.

“You’ll hear me say this a lot — I want this one more than I’ve ever wanted a Super Bowl before in my life. And it’s because of the type of team we have. But also because of that tier of team because the teams that have done it (three times) have gone down in history as some of the greats.”

Kelce caught touchdown passes in the Super Bowl wins over the Chiefs and Eagles. He had 10 catches for 133 yards in the loss to the Buccaneers.

San Francisco is expected to have Fred Warner, considered one of the elite coverage linebackers in the game, defend Kelce the bulk of the time. Warner intercepted a Mahomes pass in Super Bowl LIV.

Of course, Kelce was bombarded with questions Monday night about his romance with singer Taylor Swift.

Swift has concerts scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday in Tokyo so she won’t be part of Super Bowl week hype. She is expected to return from Japan in time to attend the Sunday night game.

Kelce maintained that the relationship with Swift doesn’t prompt increased expectations.

“You can’t put any more pressure on me than I put on myself, I can promise you that,” Kelce said. “The heart of a competitor.

“She’s definitely brought a lot of new faces to the game and it’s been fun to experience that.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce breaks Jerry Rice’s playoff receptions record

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce set an NFL record for most career postseason receptions during Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the host Baltimore Ravens.

Kelce’s seventh reception of the game was his 152nd postseason catch, surpassing the mark held by legendary Jerry Rice. The record-breaking catch came midway through the second quarter.

Kelce, 34, played in his 21st postseason game on Sunday. Rice played in 29 during his career from 1985-2004.

In the first quarter, Kelce caught his 19th postseason touchdown catch, three shy of Rice’s record.

Kelce went over 100 yards receiving on Kansas City’s first possession of the third quarter. It is his eighth 100-yard outing in the postseason, tying Rice for the all-time record.

–Field Level Media

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) reacts after running past for Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter in a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson, Lions serve as popular bets heading into title games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There has been little movement from the opening lines to the current spread in the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday.

The top-seeded Ravens opened as 3- and 3.5-point favorites by DraftKings and BetMGM, respectively, over the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game in Baltimore. The line currently resides at 4.5 by both sportsbooks in favor of the Ravens, who are being backed by 59 percent of the bets and 72 percent of the handle at BetMGM.

BetMGM had the opening line and current spread staying level in the NFC Championship Game. with the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers serving as a 7-point favorite over the visiting Detroit Lions. DraftKings, however, saw its opening line of 6.5 jump to 7.5 in favor of the 49ers.

The betting public, however, is supporting the Lions, with the spread attracting 71 percent of the bets and 58 percent of the handle at BetMGM.

“The Lions are the most bet team to win and cover in the conference championship games,” said Christian Cipollini, trading manager, BetMGM. “BetMGM will be cheering for the 49ers on Sunday.”

As for player props, BetMGM noted the most bet (tickets) player props included Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson with over 64.5 rushing yards and 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle over 75.5 and 58.5 receiving yards, respectively. All three are listed at -135.

BetMGM has Jackson (+100), Kittle (+115) and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (+115) as favorites to score a touchdown, while DraftKings has Jackson (+105), Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs (+115) and Kelce (+120).

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles rolling, served shot at revenge vs. Chiefs in SB rematch

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Whether you call it the Andy Reid Bowl, the Kelce Clash or perhaps Super Bowl 57.5, fireworks are expected when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Philadelphia Eagles in a Monday night showdown.

Both teams are coming off bye weeks. The Eagles (8-1) sport the best record in the NFL. The Chiefs (7-2) have the best record in the AFC and have swept the last four meetings, including 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12.

It has been one of the season’s most anticipated matchups since schedules were released in May, and neither side has done anything to dampen the enthusiasm.

Reid is the winningest head coach in the history of both franchises, logging 140 victories (including playoffs) for the Eagles from 1999-2012 and 136 since taking over the Chiefs in 2013.

Both quarterbacks shined when these teams clashed in the Super Bowl nine months ago in Glendale, Ariz. Patrick Mahomes, playing on an injured ankle, threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and set up the winning field goal with a gutsy 26-yard scramble. He won his second Super Bowl MVP award.

Jalen Hurts was just as effective. He completed 27 of 38 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown and rushed 70 yards for three touchdowns. He used his legs to pick up the game-tying score — and the two-point conversion — with 5:15 remaining.

Both are in the MVP conversation again this season. Hurts has completed a career-high 68.9 percent of his passes for 2,347 yards with 15 touchdowns but also eight interceptions. He has seven rushing scores, most courtesy of the much discussed “Brotherly Shove.”

“I’m a big fan of his,” Reid said Thursday about Hurts. “He’s a really good football player. He can throw the ball. He can run the ball. …. He always seems to be in control.”

Philadelphia’s biggest weakness is a spotty secondary that likely has Mahomes licking his chops. Only the Chicago Bears (20) and Washington Commanders (21) have allowed more touchdown passes than the Eagles with 19. The team ranks 28th in the NFL against the pass, allowing 257.0 yards per game.

Mahomes is on pace for another strong year with 2,442 yards and 17 touchdowns but has also thrown eight picks. He bounced back from a Week 8 loss at Denver when he was under the weather to take down the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, tossing two TD passes in the first half and hanging on for a 21-14 win.

Mahomes is once again relying heavily on tight end Travis Kelce, who leads the team in catches (57) and receiving yards (597).

Including the Super Bowl, Kelce’s Chiefs are also 4-0 against older brother Jason Kelce, the longtime center for the Eagles.

“I’m motivated to win the game. I don’t need the Super Bowl to motivate me to beat my brother or Andy Reid,” Jason Kelce said Thursday. “I’ve never beat them in my career and I’m maybe motivated by that, but I don’t buy into Super Bowl revenge games.

“Each season is different. This team is not the same. That team is not the same. Nothing that goes out there and happens on Monday night is going to at all change or make anything different about what happened last year.”

The Eagles placed linebacker Nakobe Dean (foot) on injured reserve Thursday. Safety Justin Evans (knee) practiced in a limited capacity for Philadelphia, who listed cornerback Bradley Roby (shoulder) and guard/center Cam Jurgens (foot) as full participants.

Every player was a full participant in practice for the Chiefs on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) gets yards after the catch as Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) makes a tackle during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (ankle) will play vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs expect tight end Travis Kelce to play Thursday night against the Denver Broncos, four days after sustaining a right ankle injury, according to multiple media reports.

Kelce officially is listed as questionable. He suffered the injury, reported to be a low ankle sprain, during the second quarter of Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Kelce missed a Chiefs touchdown drive to open the third quarter but returned for the next drive and caught five passes, including a touchdown reception. He finished the game with 10 receptions for 67 yards.

The Chiefs listed Kelce as a non-participant on Monday’s estimated practice report. He was limited in his return to practice Tuesday.

Kelce missed the season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions after hyperextending his knee in practice. The four-time first-team All-Pro has 27 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns in four games this season.

Kansas City also must make decisions on defensive end George Karlaftis (hamstring) and punter Tommy Townsend (left knee), who were listed as questionable. Both teams will release their lists of inactives approximately 90 minutes before the game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce questionable vs. Broncos on Thursday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, recovering from a right ankle injury, is officially questionable to play Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.

Both the host Chiefs (4-1) and Broncos (1-4) issued estimated practice reports on Wednesday as they did not practice.

Kelce was limited in his return to practice Tuesday with his right ankle heavily taped. He didn’t participate Monday on the team’s estimated practice report.

Kelce suffered what is reportedly a low ankle sprain during Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

After making a catch late in the second quarter, Kelce planted his right foot and slipped awkwardly on the turf and went down untouched. He jogged off the field under his own power and spoke with trainers on the sideline before walking to the locker room.

He missed an 11-play touchdown drive to open the third quarter but returned for the next drive and caught five passes, including a 4-yard touchdown reception with 2:45 left in the quarter. He finished with 10 receptions for 67 yards.

Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, who hasn’t played since Game 2 against Jacksonville on Sept. 17 because of an ankle injury, was listed as a full participant Wednesday after limited participation on Monday and Tuesday. Defensive end George Karlaftis (hamstring) was limited all three days and is questionable, as is punter Tommy Townsend (left knee), who was added to the report on Wednesday.

Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) was listed as a full participant in the team walkthrough Wednesday and is questionable. Dulcich was injured in Week 1 and returned to practice Tuesday after the team began his 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve.

Defensive tackle D.J. Jones (knee) and outside linebackers Frank Clark (illness) and Baron Browning (knee) are listed as out for the game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts to a first down as Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) looks on during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce a DNP on Chiefs’ estimated injury report

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs did not practice Monday ahead of a short week, but their league-mandated estimated injury report listed tight end Travis Kelce as “did not participate” with an ankle injury.

Kelce hurt the ankle Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings before returning to the game and making a touchdown grab in Kansas City’s 27-20 win. NFL Network reported after the game that he was diagnosed with a low ankle sprain.

The Chiefs (4-1) play Thursday against the visiting Denver Broncos (1-4), giving Kelce less time than usual to heal up. The Chiefs’ first true injury report will be out Tuesday.

After making a catch late in the second quarter, Kelce planted his right foot and slipped awkwardly on the turf and went down untouched. He jogged off the field under his own power and spoke with trainers on the sideline before walking to the locker room.

He missed an 11-play touchdown drive to open the third quarter, but returned for the next drive and caught five passes, including a 4-yard touchdown reception with 2:45 left in the quarter. He finished with 10 receptions for 67 yards.

Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (ankle), defensive end George Karlaftis (hamstring) and defensive tackle Matt Dickerson (knee) were listed as limited participants on the estimated injury report.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce suffers apparent right foot injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce exited Sunday’s game in the second quarter against the host Minnesota Vikings with an apparent right foot injury.

The CBS broadcast confirmed Kelce was getting X-rays on his right foot in the locker room.

Kansas City said Kelce was questionable to return for the second half. However, he didn’t play a single snap on an 11-play touchdown drive to open the third quarter in which the Chiefs took a 20-13 lead.

After making a catch late in the second quarter, Kelce planted his right foot and slipped awkwardly on the turf and went down untouched. He jogged off the field under his own power and spoke with trainers on the sideline before walking to the locker room.

Before leaving the game, Kelce had five catches for 22 yards.

Kelce, who turned 34 on Thursday, is an eight-time Pro Bowler.

Taylor Swift, whose relationship with Kelce has drawn international headlines, reportedly was not in attendance at Minneapolis for Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) takes the field prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce: Taylor Swift relationship won’t take focus off football

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Despite the increased paparazzi and exploding social media followership, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he is not letting his connection with Taylor Swift distract himself from football.

Kelce’s budding relationship with the pop star has been one of the dominant storylines of the NFL season thus far.

“I’ve always been pretty good about compartmentalizing and being able to stay focused in this building,” Kelce said after Friday’s practice. “I think it’s always been that for me. No matter what’s going on in my life, good or bad, I think this is one place I can get away and just being locked in and focused and always check myself and my ego at the door and make sure that I come in with a clear mind.”

Kelce did say earlier this week that he believes the league is “overdoing it” with the amount of times Swift was shown on TV broadcasts when she attended the Chiefs’ last two games against the Chicago Bears and New York Jets.

“As all the attention comes, it feels like, you know, I was on top of the world after the Super Bowl and right now even more on top of the world, so it’s fun,” Kelce said Friday. “Everybody is having fun with it, you know, whether I think they’re overdoing it or not, you know, I’d know I brought this to myself or I’ve been fortunate enough to have fun with it, you know, and that’s where all that really matters is that it’s not pissing anybody off (in the Chiefs’ facility) at least.”

It was unclear whether Swift would attend the Chiefs’ game this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. Her next scheduled tour dates are Oct. 18-20 in Miami Gardens, Fla.

“We’re learning with the paparazzi, just taking photos from all over the place,” he said. “But at the same time what comes with it, it comes with it. You’ve got a lot of people that care about Taylor and for good reason, so I’ve just got to keep living and learning and enjoying the moments.

“It’s worldwide, man. Everybody’s having fun with it.”

After missing the season opener due to a hyperextended knee, Kelce has played in the past three games — all Kansas City wins — and has caught 17 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.

–Field Level Media