In Saturday’s team meeting, the tight end moved his teammates to tears by going off script—a fitting reminder of how nothing but the ending went according to plan for Kansas City this season.
had a season that was a lot more than just the fact that he’s dating one of the world’s most famous people. He’s been hurt. He’s shown age. His numbers were down, and, at 34, real questions about how much longer he’d play were asked. And yet
But we’re starting with the 285th and final game of the 2023 season—and the staying power of the dynastic Chiefs in the post–It started with the tight end pounding his chest and having trouble getting his first few words out. It went to a joke about why the Niners’ fire alarms went off during Super Bowl week, waking a bunch of players up. And in the end, it moved some of the people in the room to tears.
Said offensive coordinator Matt Nagy: “It was raw. It was very passionate. It was intimate. For the privacy of who was in that room night, what I’ll say is everyone felt it. … It was so powerful because it was the three guys, our three leaders—Chris, Kelce and Pat. It was raw. It was real. It was emotional. It’s one thing when coaches talk. It’s another thing when your peers talk and when players talk. When Kelce, who’s one of our greatest leaders, says what he says, it means so much more.
“We had a long talk at halftime—composure,” Nagy said. “We’re down seven. We were in this thing last year against the Eagles, same thing, you’re down, you need composure.”The Chiefs fumbled the first play of the second half and lost 12 yards. Mahomes was picked off two plays later. Then, the Niners downed a punt at the Chiefs’ 2.
On the next play, the Chiefs took their first lead, with a candy-from-a-baby touchdown, with Mahomes hitting Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a seam for a touchdown.!!!” yelled one Chiefs coach right after the game ended, to no one in particular as the elevators prepared to bring the staff downstairs to celebrate.It’d just taken a little more of that composure, and perseverance, and ability to draw again on past experiences, before the Chiefs would get there.
“It’s hard to put into words what a guy like that has meant, not just for the organization and for the city, but really for the league,” said Veach. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player like our quarterback. The best part about him is he’s a better person than he is player. He means so much to the people in the community. He’s one of those guys that not just loves football, not just loves the Chiefs, but he loves Kansas City. It’s just special to have him.
A few hours later, at Resorts World a couple miles up the strip, Kelce, decked out in black-out shades and a black sequined suit, and up on stage at the Chiefs’ team party, playfully called out to his owner, Clark Hunt.He got the pro-wrestling-level pop he was looking for. Mahomes was next to him. The Chainsmokers started playing again.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Super Bowl 2024 picks: Who we like in Chiefs-49ers to win Super BowlThe Field Gulls staff makes its predictions and picks for the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
Read more »
The Chiefs Just Won Super Bowl 58: Shop the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Championship Gear NowCelebrate the Chiefs' big win with Kansas City Chiefs limited-edition Super Bowl clothing and accessories.
Read more »
Our Super Bowl Is The A-List Celebrities At The Super BowlRumored to be joining Usher onstage at halftime, Justin Bieber appears relaxed in the stands with wife Hailey Bieber.
Read more »
Super Bowl 2024 live updates of Chiefs vs. 49ersThe Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
Read more »
Super Bowl 2024 score, live updates: 49ers lead the Chiefs 10-3 at halftimeThe Super Bowl kicks off in Allegiant Stadium at 5:30 CT, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Follow along with us here for live updates.
Read more »
Taylor Swift arrives at Super Bowl to watch Travis Kelce and the Chiefs play the 49ersPop star Taylor Swift completed her epic trip from the Tokyo Dome to Allegiant Stadium for the Super Bowl. She walked through security along with friends Blake Lively and Ice Spice to see the Kansas City Chiefs play the San Francisco 49ers. The 14-time Grammy-winner is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Read more »