If Thursday night was Travis Kelce’s last game at Arrowhead Stadium, he did everything he could to make it memorable.
The Chiefs tight end had just five receptions for 36 yards against the Denver Broncos, playing alongside third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, while friend Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew were out with knee injuries.
But several of these receptions took place in the final minutes, narrowly missing allowing the Chiefs to turn the tide and create a surprise against the Broncos.
Kelce and his teammates ultimately lost 20-13 in a game where they were underdogs by nearly two touchdowns.
But it was a courageous performance on his part, reflecting his career filled with such exploits.
Kelce, who is expected to announce soon whether he is retiring, could have hung up his cleats a few weeks ago, when the defending American champions were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in 10 years.
After playing in five Super Bowls – including the last three – and winning three rings, the 36-year-old, however, proved he was too proud to give up after a failed season.
He played in last week’s humiliating loss to the lowly Tennessee Titans, and he was one of the few bright spots Thursday night among an offense that totaled just 139 yards.
“I felt a lot of emotions,” Kelce admitted after the match. The whole world is watching you. I have the chance to play with young people, in prime time. These young people have the opportunity to discover the NFL. »
And retirement?
“I will make this decision with my family, friends and the Chiefs organization when the time comes,” Kelce said.
He was the last player introduced Thursday night, following Oladokun out of the tunnel into a corner of Arrowhead Stadium. As red lights flashed on the field, Kelce emerged from the fog, performing his iconic entry gesture with the bow and arrows, facing a cheering crowd.
As expected, it roared with joy – perhaps for the last time – when number 87 took the field.
“You only get a few opportunities to stand there and feel the cheers of 60,000 or 70,000 Chiefs fans,” Kelce said. I always savor these moments. »
In a dressing room, his fiancée, Taylor Swift, watched his performance. Mahomes and Minshew, also seated in a box, watched the game together.
“We feel the happiness and the love that the fans have for us,” said Kelce. It’s magnificent. I know I will cherish this moment forever, whether it’s coming out of the tunnel or making a decisive play. This is why we love Arrowhead. »
Kelce played 97 games in this stadium during his 13 years in the NFL. He caught 645 passes there, including the playoffs, the third best total for a player in the same stadium since the AFL-NFL merger, behind Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald.
The question now is whether Kelce will play next week for the Chiefs’ final game of the season in Las Vegas.
He’s just 10 yards shy of reaching 13,000 for his career, and he could extend his team record — and the NFL’s longest active streak — by catching a pass in his 191st straight game next weekend.
He could also end his career with a victory, instead of five defeats and seven losses in his last eight games, the bad patch that the Chiefs are currently experiencing.
Or maybe he’ll surprise everyone by returning next season.
“We’ve been through so much together,” Chiefs defensive player Chris Jones said, making his desire clear. Just one more season. Just one more. »
