Andy Reid says Travis Kelce remains one of the hardest workers during the Kansas City Chiefs training camp and has yet to miss a rep during practice despite being the NFL’s oldest active tight end
Travis Kelce’ work ethic remains unmatched
Travis Kelce is 35 years old, entering his 13th NFL season, and coming off his least productive year in nearly a decade. But according to Andy Reid, you’d never know it watching him at Kansas City Chiefs training camp.
The veteran tight end, who trails only free agent Marcedes Lewis in age at the position, is still operating with the energy of a rookie. Kelce continues to lead by example as the Chiefs gear up for another Super Bowl run, and coach Reid praised his veteran player for not missing a single practice rep during training camp, despite it temporarily stopping his popular podcast.
“I mean, Trav comes out here, he’s the oldest one,” Reid said after Wednesday’s practice. “He came out and didn’t miss a rep yesterday. I mean, it was hot… and he refused to come out. He just wanted to keep rolling.”
“He came back in great shape and all the guys see that,” Reid continued. “They get excited about that. You’re looking at him and you’re going, ‘Listen, if this guy can do it at 80 years old, we should be able to do it, right?’ We’ve got a healthy group of guys who are good leaders.”
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Kelce’s last season ended with not knowing who to blame for a Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and just 823 regular-season receiving yards. The total was his lowest mark ever in a healthy season.
During Day 8 of training camp, he was targeted three times by Patrick Mahomes in 11-on-11 action, the same number as rising wideouts Jason Brownlee and Rashee Rice.
Kelce would have every reason to take plays off or manage his reps at this career stage.
Off the field, Kelce is juggling one of the most high-profile relationships in sports and entertainment by dating Taylor Swift, arguably the world’s biggest music star.
Their relationship has captured global attention, even by the NFL, and has fueled countless headlines, and followed Kelce from playoff games to European tour stops.
Kelce remains one of the Chiefs hardest workers(Image: Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
He’s hosted ‘Saturday Night Live,’ made surprise red carpet appearances, and starred in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore 2,’ the sequel to the 1996 golf cult classic.
Yet none of that seems to have impacted his day job. Kelce has, if anything, only set a higher standard.
He already owns the NFL postseason records for receiving yards (2,029) and touchdowns (20) by a tight end, eclipsing Rob Gronkowski. He has more career playoff games with 100 or more receiving yards than any other player at his position.
Kelce holds the Chiefs’ record for all-time receiving yards (12,151) and touchdowns (77), and he continues to add to his achievements.
The Chiefs are still a team to beat in the AFC as the winner of the AFC West division for the past nine seasons. The organization has won three Super Bowls in the last six seasons.