Travis Kelce is likely one of the most completed athletes within the historical past of the NFL, having earned quite a few accolades as a good finish for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Merely put, he’s had a wonderful run and, as of late, there was motive to wonder if he’d lastly dangle up his cleats. Properly, inside the final week, 35-year-old Kelce confirmed he’ll forgo retirement to take part in his thirteenth season as a professional athlete. Now, he’s getting candid in regards to the greatest issue he weighed whereas deciding whether or not or to not return to the gridiron for an additional 12 months.
I’d think about that it’s difficult for an athlete to mull over retirement, as there are numerous elements – each inside and exterior – to think about. Travis Kelce opened up about his resolution whereas talking along with his brother, Jason, on their New Heights podcast. When Jason requested his sibling to share his rationale for returning to the Chiefs, Travis started by attributing the selection to his sheer love of the game in addition to one other main issue associated to the earlier NFL season:
I believe the most important factor is that I fucking love taking part in the sport of soccer. I really like taking part in, I nonetheless really feel like I can play it at a excessive stage. And probably at a better stage than I did final 12 months, I don’t suppose it was my greatest outing. I let my guys down in much more moments than I helped them, particularly should you have a look at my observe document and the way I’ve been in years previous. I simply, you already know, I wanna give it an excellent run. I acquired a nasty style in my mouth on how I ended the 12 months and the way properly I used to be taking part in and the way accountable I used to be for the folks round me.
This previous NFL season concluded with the Chiefs dropping 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX. Philly’s soccer membership largely dominated the sport, with Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and others having what some thought of to be lackluster performances. Kelce went on to elucidate, nonetheless, that his resolution to not retire comes right down to greater than his efficiency from the earlier season. The selection additionally appears to have been influenced by his real devotion to his group and neighborhood:
I really like so many individuals in Kansas Metropolis – each in that facility [and] locally. It is dwelling for me now. I don’t wanna go away that life but. I put in a variety of laborious work, and I put in a variety of focus into being the perfect that I can for KC, and final 12 months it simply didn’t finish properly for us. I really feel like there’s a duty in me to play out the contract that I initially signed, to offer Kansas Metropolis and the Chiefs group every little thing that I acquired, and that’s what I’m gonna do, man.
Whereas I’m not personally a Chiefs fan (and was rooting in opposition to them within the large sport weeks in the past), I’ve loved watching Travis Kelce play through the years. I’m sincerely completely happy he’s decided that he’s snug with and hope that the upcoming season is fruitful for him. (OK, possibly not Tremendous Bowl-level fruitful, as KC actually has gained their share of titles, at this level.)
Extra to return…