The greatness of Chiefs’ Travis Kelce extends to his management

Over 5 years in the past, I wrote an article for Arrowhead Delight detailing the evolution of Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce to the staff’s veteran chief.

The as soon as younger, fiery playmaker discovered a technique to channel that vitality extra positively by the point the Chiefs transitioned to Patrick Mahomes because the beginning quarterback in 2018.

Since that turning level in Kelce’s profession, the franchise that drafted him has skilled nothing however overwhelming success and has prolonged him twice over his 12-year NFL profession. Head coach Andy Reid invested in Kelce’s expertise within the 2013 NFL Draft, understanding he may weaponize him on the sphere. Nonetheless, Reid’s disciplined, dedicated strategy to successful ultimately unfold to Kelce.

Throughout a press convention on Thursday, Kelce recalled his earlier years with Reid, stating that his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles heart Jason Kelce, warned him concerning the potential tradition shock.

“The biggest thing from my brother was ‘take advantage of the opportunity. He’s an unbelievable coach, he is a player’s coach, but at the same time he is going to hold you accountable,’” Kelce remembered. “The primary 12 months or two I used to be with coach Reid, I used to be like ‘this guy is not messing around.’ There wasn’t an excessive amount of of the character that I see now.

“He is like a father figure to me, he’s like one of my uncles growing up that I respect so much because of who he is. I owe everything to that man and my career, where it has gone, where I was at Cincinnati and where I’m at now, I have nothing but respect for coach Reid and how he has helped me get to where I am in life.”

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Getty Photographs

Reid has arguably maximized Kelce’s profession, serving to him construct a legacy that can be remembered for extra than simply his unimaginable expertise. On the similar time, the extent that Kelce purchased into Reid’s message has boosted the resume of the all-time coach.

Each perceive and share an finish objective: successful. Kelce needed to study that over time.

“Early on in my career, a lot of my motivation was driven off of individual success,” Kelce mirrored. “Wanting to get that acknowledgement of my peers, of the people watching the game that I was somebody fun to watch or worth watching.”

“Nowadays, I just love going to work with the guys that I’m in the building with, I love sharing these memories, I love figuring out these game plans, figuring out how we’re going to attack a defense, there’s just a certain love I’ve found with, and I think it’s because of the people I go to work with.”

The longevity of Kelce’s profession has given him alternatives to guide by way of instances of change. This 12 months, that change didn’t cease in the summertime; the Chiefs added gamers after coaching camp and thru the season. That challenged Kelce’s management to an additional extent from the place it already was.

“This year, I kind of stepped into a role of being a voice for the guys,” Kelce proclaimed. “We have a lot of new faces, whether it was guys that we picked up in the offseason or guys that we picked up throughout the season.”

“[I have been] able to be there for the young guys, help them understand the offense better, hopefully understand how to weather the storm of a week like this.”

One younger participant who has taken benefit of Kelce’s management is punt returner Nikko Remigio. Within the AFC Championship, he gained 41 yards on a return, igniting a landing drive. After the sport, he shared with Kay Adams of the Up And Adams Present that Kelce’s phrases impressed the memorable second.

“I just remember telling him ‘be great,’” Kelce thought again. “Who Nikko is as a returner is a special player. I thought he could’ve stole a few more yards or at least not go for the fair catch there, but I didn’t realize at the moment he was doing it because he didn’t feel comfortable in returning that. By all means, do your job.”

“Sure enough, he went out there the next time, had a huge play for us, and I was so happy for him. I was the first guy to run over to him and get hype for him, tell him he is being great. I got all the love in the world for Nikko and definitely trust everything he is doing back there.”

It’s an instance of Kelce’s optimism catalyzing a participant, however that isn’t pointed. It’s natural in Kelce’s weekly quest to convey the Chiefs a victory.

“I don’t know if I challenge guys individually,” Kelce admitted. “I think I’m naturally just on the sidelines making sure everybody has the sense of urgency to get excited about their job.”

Reid and Kelce share the sense of urgency wanted to be as profitable because the Chiefs are, however each additionally current it in uplifting, confidence-building methods. That’s anticipated from the coach, however Kelce’s dedication to being an extension of Reid’s tradition strengthens his legacy as one of many NFL’s all-time greats.