Travis Kelce Shares Heartfelt Moments at What Might Be His Last Home Game with the Chiefs

Travis Kelce on Dec. 25.
Credit:

Jamie Squire/Getty

Need to Know

• Travis Kelce played what could be his final home game at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas day.
• The Chiefs ultimately lost to the Denver Broncos.
• Kelce expressed feeling “a lot of emotions” after the game but did not confirm plans for retirement.

Travis Kelce may have just played the last home game of his 13-year NFL career.

During the Kansas City Chiefs’ Christmas Day game against the Broncos, Kelce displayed visible emotion as the team fell 20-13. With the loss, the Chiefs have a season record of 6-10 and will miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. As his contract with the team nears its end, speculation is growing about his potential retirement following the final game on January 4.

Given these circumstances, December 25 could mark Kelce’s last appearance at Arrowhead Stadium.

“A whole lot of emotions,” Kelce, 36, remarked during a postgame press conference. “You’ve got everybody in the world watching you. You get to go out there with the young guys on primetime television. Young guys getting an opportunity to taste what this NFL life is like,” he added, reflecting on the weight of the moment.

When directly asked about retirement, Kelce remained noncommittal, joking about playing the Powerball and stating, “I’ll let that be a decision I’ll make with my family, friends, the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”

Kelce’s fiancée, Taylor Swift, was present for the game, watching from Kelce’s suite alongside his mother, Donna Kelce.

Earlier this month on the podcast New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, he had made an optimistic statement regarding the Chiefs’ chances this season, claiming they were “a few plays away from being a one seed in my mind,” despite their struggles.

Travis Kelce on Dec. 25.

Jamie Squire/Getty

Kelce emphasized that while the Chiefs are “holding teams at the right moment,” the issue lies in their inability to score adequately. “What’s real is that we still have a chance, baby, and that’s all that matters to me,” he stated emphatically, noting the need for the team to maintain urgency in their efforts.

Following a disappointing loss in November, Kelce expressed frustration over individual accolades, stating he “could care less about” surpassing running back Priest Holmes’ record. “If you’re going to ask me about the record, I could care less about that right now,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, recovering from ACL surgery, recognized the talent on the roster but stressed the need for better consistency. “I think it starts with me,” he admitted, acknowledging the importance of his performance to the team’s success.