Travis Kelce is still processing the Kansas City Chiefs’ big loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
During the Wednesday, February 12, episode of his and Jason Kelce‘s “New Heights” podcast, Travis, 35, broke down what went wrong on the field during Super Bowl LIX, which took place Sunday, February 9, in New Orleans.
“Outside of the game I just wanted to thank my teammates for everything they f—ing do man, you know. the effort the focus the work that we put in — that wasn’t the reason,” he said. “Going into the game I felt as confident as I ever felt going into a Super Bowl or a playoff game or a big game in my life … It just wasn’t our day. Couldn’t find a lick of momentum.”
He reflected on his own role in the loss, adding, “I’m kicking myself for some of the tiny, tiny decisions I made on the field trying to do something more than what I was asked to do … I wasn’t the best leader that I could be in motivating my guys, in keeping my guys calm, cool and collected. I put a lot of that on myself as the guy that’s been in the building for 12 years and seen a lot of football and actually seen a situation just like this in a Super Bowl … It’s a tough pill to swallow, man.”
Travis Kelce Reacts to Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl Loss
Travis explained that “every time” the Chiefs felt like they “got something going” on the field, the play would take a turn. “To have it happen for the second time in my career on the biggest stage, man, it’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s a hard reality. … This sport can humble you quite fast.”
The Chiefs had the opportunity to secure their third consecutive Super Bowl title, but the Eagles dominated the majority of Sunday’s game, keeping the Chiefs off the scoreboard until the third quarter. The Eagles ultimately won 40-22, earning redemption for their 2023 Super Bowl loss against the Chiefs.
Travis only had four catches for 39 yards, and he spoke candidly about his team’s lackluster performance during a post-game interview.
“Hats off to the Eagles, man. They got after us. All three phases,” he said. “[We] couldn’t get it going offensively. They just got after us on all three phases, and on top of that, turnovers, penalties, playing behind the sticks on offense … dropped passes, not taking advantage of the play call and executing them. There’s a lot that goes into it. You don’t lose like that without everything going bad. … [We] just couldn’t find that spark, couldn’t find that momentum.”
Despite the loss, Travis said the Chiefs are “always gonna fight” for their next win. He went on to reveal the message head coach Andy Reid shared with the team after the game.
“This one’s gonna hurt,” he said. “Let it hurt and figure out how to get better because of it.”
Jason, meanwhile, expressed his support for Travis in a lengthy social media message on Tuesday, February 11.
“Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles, my former teammates, and friends on being SB LIX Champions!!” he wrote. “That game was odd for me to watch if I’m being completely honest. I knew it was going to be mixed emotions before, during, and after, and I now know what my parents had to deal with two years ago.”
Jason Kelce Reacts to Travis’ Super Bowl Loss: ‘Always Rooting for Him’
Jason, who retired from the NFL last year after 13 seasons with the Eagles, noted that he was “very proud” of his former teammates and coaches, including Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni. “They have persevered greatly, answered their critics amazingly, and proved themselves to be undoubtedly the best team this season. … A true representation of the toughness and grit that makes Philadelphia what it is. Well done fellas, well f—ing done,” he wrote.
While he was thrilled for the city of Philadelphia, Jason also expressed that “there isn’t a person I love or care about more” than his brother.
“He has amassed greatness few on this planet could ever dream of, as has his team, and they should feel pride in their accomplishments this season and in the past,” he added. “I know right now they are still thinking of last night and the shortcomings in the last game, But in time that will fade, and the greatness they have exhibited as a group will remain as one of the most dominant eras of football ever.”
Jason added on Wednesday that the Eagles played a “truly impressive” game, and Travis agreed. He went on to thank his inner circle for their endless support, despite the disappointing result.
“I love my teammates, I love my coaches,” Travis said. “Chiefs Kingdom, I’m sorry for how it ended. … I have a beautiful life, man. I have loved ones, I have the most amazing family in the world that supports me in everything that I do and they were all there cheering me on and hoping for the best on Sunday, man. I just have to tip my hat to the Eagles, they were firing on all cylinders coming out and it just felt like we never had control over what was going on in that game. … It’s gonna sting.”
