Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce speaks with quarterback Patrick Mahomes before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce speaks with quarterback Patrick Mahomes before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
Patrick Mahomes is giving credit to Travis Kelce for his leadership
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback said the tight end has "helped set the culture" of the NFL team
Kelce had a breakout game on Oct. 27, snagging six receptions for 99 yards and scoring on a 10-yard touchdown
Patrick Mahomes made sure Travis Kelce got a keepsake from his historic Monday Night Football game.
While the Kansas City Chiefs star was channeling his fiancée’s “Fate of Ophelia” dance moves on Monday, Oct. 27, following his franchise record-tying touchdown during the third quarter, his quarterback scooped up the football Kelce scored with — and saw that it was saved for his teammate and friend.
“He's the true Chiefs' Chief,” Mahomes, 30, said of Kelce’s impact after the game.
“He's the guy who's been here through the whole thing and been here with Coach Reid the entire time," Mahomes continued. "He's helped set the culture."
For Kelce — now in his 13th season in the NFL and with the Chiefs — that means being a leader and making plays on the field.
In his best game of the season, the 36-year-old snagged six receptions for 99 yards, scored on that 10-yard touchdown in the third and tied Priest Holmes’ 20-year-old franchise mark for regular-season scores.
“He’s breaking all the records now, and he’s all about the team,” Mahomes said.
The tandem also made history together in the game, becoming the third quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history to record 75 touchdowns (including the playoffs), joining the elite company of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski and Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, according to ESPN.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass for a touchdown while in the grasp of Washington Commanders safety Darnell Savage (25) in the third quarter on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass for a touchdown while in the grasp of Washington Commanders safety Darnell Savage (25) in the third quarter on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
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Kelce expressed gratitude for his team, while continuing to look ahead this season.
"I just cherish these moments, man, being able to play at Arrowhead," he said, per NFL.com. "This place is special, man, and I love it here. In terms of the historical stuff, I'm still looking at the next game and the next catch and trying to get better."