On Wednesday, Kansas City’s standout tight end talked about the game’s intense media coverage and Eric Bieniemy’s recent visit to the squad.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end, is no stranger to the spotlight, judging by his recent off-field activities. As such, he should be at ease with the media circus in Las Vegas as his team prepares to meet the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
“I just love it,” he stated during a media event on Wednesday. “I enjoy seeing my teammates express their personalities and share their stories.” Coming up here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ve had several times before. I guess I’m just comfortable in the atmosphere and the chaos that goes around us.
“You just have to embrace it. The more you battle it, the more irritated or negative you may get. I’m a guy who likes to think positively. For a week, why not go through all of this madness and share my experience, my family, and everyone who has helped me get here?”
The Chiefs upset the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV just four years ago, but both teams have had significant roster upheaval since then. Kelce acknowledged the new faces for this game, and made it clear that he was aware of recent comments by former Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward about his situation being better with the 49ers.
“Just different people,” the NFL’s all-time leader in postseason receptions said. “There are different players [and] coaching staffs on both sides, so we are witnessing something different as well.
“One of our corners is over there, playing. things appears that he enjoys things over there a little better, so perhaps we can get this win and make him miss Kansas City just a little.”
As Kelce prepares for his fourth Super Bowl participation in five seasons, one notable omission is former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who departed the team this offseason to work in the same position with the Washington Commanders.
Earlier Wednesday, it was discovered that Bieniemy had visited Kansas City’s locker room prior to the team’s 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.
Kelce gave his thoughts on Bieniemy’s visit.
“EB was a special coach here for a long, long time,” he said. “He’s like an uncle or father figure in the football world to me. Everyone knows how worked up he can be, and I absolutely share his excitement for coming to work every day and playing this game – he’s one of my favorite coaches ever. I believe the most important thing we can take away from who he was — both as a player and as a coach — is his passion and determination to be prepared for every possible circumstance on the field.
“His football knowledge and expertise were second to none. I’m hoping for the best for him coming up in his coaching career, but I think who he is as a person is always going to go with me in life.”
Kelce’s passion has led him to be considered as probably the best tight end in league history. Head coach Andy Reid acknowledges Kelce has a legitimate claim to such prominence, but he does not feel Kelce is overly motivated by his own history.
“I tell you,” Reid stated on Wednesday, “Travis’ figures probably speak for themselves. He has the potential to be remembered as one of the finest, if not the best, tight ends to ever play. Does he spend a lot of time worrying about that? I do not think he does.
“Every game, he says, ‘Let’s go win.'” That’s how he thinks; nevertheless, he’s competitive, and when the going gets tough, he’ll be there for you and desire the ball to help the team.”
Kelce, as history will remember him, is currently focused on a shorter-term goal.
“I’m trying to be the best tight end on Sunday,” the nine-time Pro Bowler stated. “I know that.”
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