Travis Kelce gave Nikko Remigio a motivational message earlier than massive punt return

A key participant within the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ ascension to the group’s third consecutive Tremendous Bowl is second-year large receiver Nikko Remigio, who has solely been on the lively roster since December 7.

Because the group’s main punt and kickoff returner since Mecole Hardman’s in the end season-ending harm, Remigio has delivered two monster particular groups performs that began Kansas Metropolis drives deep in opponent territory within the first two video games.

Remigio appeared on Wednesday’s episode of the Up and Adams Present on FANDUEL TV to debate his postseason heroics.

“I don’t know that I could ever get used to this,” he informed host Kay Adams of clinching a visit to Tremendous Bowl LIX in New Orleans. “This is year two for me, and this is my first year actually contributing. It’s definitely a special moment for me.”

Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs

Remigio introduced his presence with authority by opening the Chiefs’ Divisional Spherical victory over the Houston Texans with a 60-yard return on the opening kickoff. He claims to have predicted his success to assistant head coach and particular groups coordinator Dave Toub earlier than the sport.

“Going into the game,” he recalled, “I had told our head special teams coach, Coach Toub, that, ‘I’m about to hit it today. I don’t know what’s about to happen, but I’m about to hit it.’ He called a middle return right out of the gate, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Per week later, with the stakes even larger, Remigio recorded a 41-yard punt return within the AFC Championship in opposition to the Buffalo Payments to start out a drive on the Buffalo 34-yard line. Six performs later, the return arrange quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first dashing rating of the night time.

Remigio had referred to as for a good catch on Buffalo’s first punt. He revealed a dialog with tight finish Travis Kelce that helped him reap the benefits of his second alternative.

“This was the first punt that they kicked, and I went and fair caught it on the 10,” defined Remigio. “Actually, I had some room, and I had a possibility to take the punt. However I used to be like, ‘Man, this is my first time being in the AFC Championship Game. Let me just get my feet wet a little bit.’

“I went, and I ran to the sidelines. [Kelce] was like, ‘That’s not being great.’ I’m like, ‘He’s right.’ I went out there for the next punt, and I was like, ‘I’m taking it regardless.’ He was the first one to greet me coming to the sideline, and he was like, ‘That’s how you be great, Dog!’ I was like, ‘Man, this is a dream.’”

Photograph by Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs

One in all Remigio’s nominally three offensive snaps in opposition to the Payments was the ultimate kneel-down, permitting time to run out. This allowed him to be the primary participant to work together with Mahomes because the Chiefs formally punched their ticket to New Orleans.

“We were just so happy just soaking in the moment,” Remigio remarked of the interplay. “There’s really nothing like it. I’ve never had that feeling in my entire life. To be able to dap him up as soon as the game ended, it was really just a surreal moment.”

To say Remigio has taken a protracted highway thus far could be an understatement. He initially signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2023. In his first preseason motion, he led the group in receiving yards (sarcastically in the identical Louisiana venue the place the Chiefs’ season will conclude). Sadly, a shoulder harm sustained within the contest would value him the remainder of his rookie season.

Remigio didn’t make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster after coaching camp, and he spent a lot of the season on the observe squad earlier than taking on for Hardman in Week 14.

The wideout appreciates that he has needed to take the more durable path.

“It really just makes this moment that much more special,” he said. “All the things in my life, I really feel like I’ve needed to earn – totally each a part of it. Particularly moving into the NFL. I didn’t actually have a locker within the locker room final 12 months. My locker was again within the gear room.

“To go from that to finally earning a locker – every single aspect of my journey in the NFL so far and everything leading up to this point has had to be earned. Obviously, I’ve fallen short in some aspects and rose to the occasion in others. It’s really just the journey that I’ve fallen in love with.”

Adams famous Remigio’s customized cleats from the sport, boasting his Filipino heritage. Remigio then took the second to pay respect to the Philippines, the place his spouse, Maureen Schrijvers, is a nationwide observe group member.

“I’m half-Filipino,” stated Remigio. “My culture [and] my nationality is everything to me. To be able to represent the Philippines – there’s not too many Filipino athletes doing it at this stage, especially in the NFL. To be able to represent my culture and my family, it’s a big driver in why I’m here today. To be able to represent them in a positive light is what it’s all about for me.”