Travis Kelce drops another retirement hint as Chiefs star reflects on Sunday’s game in native Cleveland
Did Travis Kelce play his last NFL game in Cleveland?
The Cleveland Heights resident discussed Sunday’s win over the Browns, which marked only the second time in his career he was able to play along the shore of Lake Erie.
“It felt so surreal,” Travis told older brother Jason on their New Heights podcast. “I don’t know if it’s the last time I play in Cleveland, but it kind of felt like I was giving one last hurray before I’m done, because I’ve only played there twice in 12 years… It was a special day for me personally.’
Retirement rumors have been swirling about 35-year-old Kelce since he started dating pop star Taylor Swift and became involved in a number of entertainment opportunities.
But while he speculated about the end of his career, that decision may not be imminent.
Yes, he acknowledged that Sunday could have been his last game in Cleveland, but the Chiefs and Browns are not division rivals and therefore typically don’t play each other every season. It’s unlikely the two teams will meet until 2027, and if they do, the game will likely be played in Kansas City.
Travis Kelce leaves the field after what may be his last game in his native Cleveland
Despite rumors to the contrary, Swift was not in attendance Sunday in Cleveland, where the Chiefs earned a 21-7 victory despite an ankle injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kelce finished the game with four catches on eight targets for 27 yards.
Taylor has attended several Chiefs games in Kansas City over the past two seasons since she started dating Kelce.
However, she did appear at a children’s hospital in Kansas City and shocked parents and patients alike as she laughed with them, posed for photos and exchanged gifts.
All parent Cassie Thomas was told in advance that she might want to brush her hair and teeth because a special visitor was coming. But she was stunned when Swift, fresh off her Eras Tour and a day before her 35th birthday, walked into her son’s room at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City on Thursday.
‘No rumours. We literally had absolutely no idea this was happening,” Thomas recalls.
Her 13-year-old son, Beckett Thomas, is a cancer survivor and a fan of Swift’s friend. Beckett uses a 3D printer to make earrings with his and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ names as he walks through the hospital ward and sells them to nurses.
Now Swift has some too.
“She was amazing,” Beckett’s mother said last week. “So down to earth.”
In this image of Cassie Thomas, Beckett Thomas, 13, a patient at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, poses with Taylor Swift on Thursday, December 12, 2024
Another patient told Swift her favorite song was “Love Story” and later they discussed the song “Paper Rings,” in which Swift sings, “I’d married you with paper rings.” When their conversation veered into a discussion about San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, whose team played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl earlier this year, Swift expressed surprise.
“Brock Purdy, what? I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy.” Swift said and continued, “He put me through a lot last February.”
When asked before the Super Bowl if he was willing to disappoint Swift, Purdy replied, “Yes.”
The game ended with Mahomes lifting the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over the 49ers in overtime.
“I was really stressed for a moment, but it all worked out,” Swift told the girl as their recorded conversation was posted online.
The girl then said, “I like Travis now.” Swift responded, “Me too. That’s an absolute yes.’