Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce said he actually likes a little drama on the field, even when it involves his head coach.
During a lighthearted exchange with his brother, Jason Kelce, on their “New Heights” podcast on Wednesday, October 1, Jason, 37, teased Travis, 35, about his upcoming birthday on October 5 and read off some Libra traits: One being a distaste for conflict.
“Dislike conflict is not accurate,” Travis responded. “I enjoy a little bit of conflict every now and then.”
Travis made the comment after a sideline interaction with his head coach, Andy Reid, went viral during the team’s game against the New York Giants on September 21.
Travis Kelce Breaks Silence on Heated Exchanges With Chiefs Coach Andy Reid
While the outburst sparked speculation, Travis insisted it’s simply competitiveness at work.
“I love that guy, man,” Travis told the Kansas City Star in an interview on Friday, September 26. “There’s nothing outside of this building that’s going to make me feel any different way. We know exactly each other’s intentions.”
Travis added that Reid’s coaching style often brings out the best in him.
“I think what Coach Reid does best is he challenges guys to be at their best, and I love that about him,” Kelce said. “It definitely helped me take my game to another level that game.”
The sideline moment in question came during Kansas City’s Sunday Night Football matchup against the Giants. Cameras caught Kelce yelling at Reid on the sidelines in frustration as the Chiefs’ offense sputtered.
The next day, Reid responded with humor when asked about the exchange.
“The question came up yesterday about Travis and the intensity and all that,” Reid, 67, said in a press conference on September 22. “‘Is he frustrated or not frustrated?’ Well, he’s seen how the offense works. So when things aren’t going the right way, he’s very aware of that. He’s a pretty smart guy, and he’s been doing it longer than anybody else on this team has been doing it.”
The veteran coach stressed that Kelce’s emotion is part of what makes him great.
“I love Travis’ passion, man,” Reid said. “Within reason, he knows when to back off the pedal and knows when to push it, too. That’s the part I love about him. The guy is all-in. Sometimes, I have to be the policeman. He’s an emotional guy.”
Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, backed up Travis, saying he saw no issue in the fiery display.
“He’s a guy that loves it,” Mahomes, 30, said in his September 21 postgame remarks. “That’s what’s made him so great. I know they love each other. That’s what you want out of the greats.”
Andy Reid Responds to Travis Kelce Altercation: ‘I Have to Be the Policeman’
It isn’t the first time Kelce and Reid have been caught in a tense moment.
During Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, Travis shoved Reid after being taken off the field, later apologizing and calling it an emotional overreaction. Reid brushed it off then as well, praising his tight end’s competitive fire.
Now, Travis seems to be embracing that reputation. “I go towards the conflict,” he said on his podcast.
Travis and the Chiefs return to action against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, October 6.
