Travis Kelce opens up on beating Jerry Rice’s ‘crazy’ postseason record in Chiefs win as brother Jason suggests a new TD celebration for the Super Bowl
Travis Kelce has opened up about breaking Jerry Rice’s postseason receptions record, revealing it brought back childhood memories of playing as the legendary wide receiver in video games.
Kelce made 11 catches as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. In doing so, he passed former 49ers star Rice’s 151 catches total in the postseason.
“A record that many people thought would never be broken,” Jason Kelce noted on the latest episode of the brothers’ podcast: New heights.
Kelce also recorded his sixth receiving touchdown in a conference game — another record — and the Chiefs star said he was acutely aware he was on the brink of immortality before the game at M&T Bank Stadium.
“It’s crazy because I look at 151 catches and I can only remember five,” Kelce said with a laugh. “Damn, I’ve got a hundred of them. Goddammit, I’ve been playing this game for a while.”
Travis Kelce made history as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens to reach next weekend’s Super Bowl
The Kansas City tight end got his start when Jerry Rice’s record was broken at New Heights
He added: “How could I not know? Everyone has mentioned this stuff and I’ve been asked about it in the media.
“I said it last year, when I got into some of Jerry Rice and Julian Edelman’s playoff records, with Pat (Mahomes) and I tying Gronk (Rob Gronkowski) and (Tom) Brady in touchdowns as a duo… you know. everyone talks about that and it’s just such a fucking honor man.
‘Because I have so much respect for all those guys. So much respect for Jerry Rice and how down to earth and cool he has been with me since I came into the league.”
Kelce recalled his first Pro Bowl – in 2016 – when Rice was one of the honorary captains alongside Cowboys icon Michael Irvin.
“Hearing them talk about me as a young tight end in the league gave me confidence that I was doing the right things,” Kelce added.
The Chiefs star also revealed that after breaking Rice’s record, his thoughts went back to his childhood playing the video game “Backyard Football.”
On Sunday, Kelce passed former 49ers star Rice’s postseason mark of 151 catches
The 34-year-old celebrates the Chiefs’ victory at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday
“What’s even funnier is that growing up I have this weird image of Backyard Football on the computer in the back of my mind,” he said.
“Remember, Jerry Rice was the best there… every time he scored a touchdown, his automatic celebration was to pull out a notebook, open the notebook and the headline said, ‘Records.’ And it was he who was just scribbling…
“When I got older I looked it up and he has all the damn records. That’s why they did it. And it comes full circle to me being as good as Jerry Rice at backyard football. I made it, dude!’
That joke got both Kelce brothers laughing, with Jason suggesting that Travis should now imitate the party after his next score.
“I’m way too far away from the other records Jerry has!” the younger Kelce joked. “I missed my chance.”