Travis Kelce arrives for Chiefs vs Saints – with girlfriend Taylor Swift set to follow after missing his 35th birthday
Travis Kelce has made his big debut for Monday Night Football as the Kansas City Chiefs look for a 5-0 win against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce walked into the stadium about two hours before kickoff, wearing a black shirt, shorts and sunglasses and carrying a pair of white cleats. He immediately went onto the field to warm up for the game.
“He looks great, look at that,” said his brother Jason, who covered the game as an analyst for ESPN, when photos of Kelce’s arrival emerged.
His girlfriend, Taylor Swift, is expected to follow him through the arrivals door closer to kickoff – after missing his birthday on Saturday when the Super Bowl winner turned 35.
Kelce has had an inconsistent start to the season by his high standards, but showed signs of a resurgence in form during last Sunday’s 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Travis Kelce arrived at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday with a pair of Chiefs vs Saints cleats
Kelce, 35, wore a black shirt and beige shorts when he arrived at the stadium
He amassed 89 yards — more than in his first three games combined — and posted a franchise-record 917th reception.
But the tight end made it clear he still expects more from himself and dismissed suggestions he was back to his best in last week’s New Heights episode.
He told his older brother Jason, “Everything outside the building is just noise… (but) big game? When is 89 yards a big play? It was a solid game, a big game is like me scoring a touchdown or something.
“I was responsible for this game, I didn’t have a single drop, which happened in Atlanta, which made me feel like I had a bad game.
“I still didn’t have an excellent game, there’s a lot that goes into having a great game, but I did have seven catches, that is, a lot of times you get the rock and I went north with it, so that’s what it is. I helped my team find a way to win, and that’s all that will ever matter.”
Monday evening also places Jason in a new location. It is the first game involving his younger brother since he retired and joined ESPN’s NFL coverage.
Jason himself was filmed arriving at the stadium shortly before ESPN went on the air and telling media members that Travis was on his way.
“He’ll be here soon or Andy (Reid, the Chiefs head coach) might be a little upset,” he joked.
Kelce hosted his 35th birthday charity event “car jam” without Taylor Swift on Saturday
Kelce showed signs of returning to his best form in last Sunday’s win over the Chargers
Although Taylor couldn’t celebrate Kelce’s birthday this weekend, Travis was joined by Jason and his parents, Donna and Ed, for his “Car Jam” charity event, which raised money for his 87 and Running foundation.
And Kelce was caught on camera telling fans at the event that he expected Swift to be in Kansas City for the game.
The Chiefs, who are chasing a historic three-peat in the NFL, have started the season 4-0 and a win tonight would see them join the Minnesota Vikings on an undefeated run to end the campaign start.
But Kelce’s struggle for top form is an ominous sign for the rest of the league and a clear sign that an already winning team will continue to improve as the season progresses.