Sunday’s game in his native Ohio was “surreal” for star Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
When reflecting on Kansas City’s 21-7 win over the Browns, Kelce — who grew up in Cleveland Heights — shared Wednesday on his “New Heights” podcast that he isn’t sure “if it’s the last time” he’ll play there as he finishes his 12th season in the league.
“It felt so surreal. I don’t know if it’s the last time I’ll play in Cleveland but it kinda felt like I was giving it one last hoorah before I’m done because I’ve only played there twice in 12 years … It was a special day for me personally,” said Kelce, who had four receptions for 27 yards during the Week 15 victory at Huntington Bank Field.
Retirement buzz has swirled around Kelce, 35, over the last few months as the nine-time Pro Bowler chases his third consecutive Super Bowl win with the Chiefs and his fourth overall.
Kelce, whose profile has skyrocketed to new heights amid his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift, was asked about the possibility of hanging up his cleats in the near future during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” in September.
“I’m still enjoying coming to work. I’m not dreading practice,” Kelce said at the time. “I’m just having so much fun and just so appreciative and so fortunate that I’ve been able to come into year 12 and still have this energy and this love and the ability to get to work.”
Despite the 2024 season being a statistically down year for Kelce (84 receptions for 709 yards and two touchdowns through 14 games), the All-Pro tight end is still a force on the field.
Earlier this month, he became the fasted tight end to reach 12,000 yards.
The Chiefs are in for a gauntlet of a schedule for the next two weeks. They’ll host the Texans on Saturday before traveling to Pittsburgh for a Christmas clash against the Steelers on Wednesday.
Kansas City will close out the regular season in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 5.