Travis Kelce has no plans to retire anytime soon, even if the Kansas City Chiefs win a third successive Super Bowl on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Chiefs tight end’s future plans have come under the microscope as his fame has risen off the field thanks to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Kelce, who knocked back a question about a potential proposal being on the cards any time soon, was adamant that he’s not planning on calling it quits from the NFL anytime soon.
“I’ve thought about it, but I still love what I do. I love coming into work every day,” Kelce said at the Super Bowl’s opening night event in New Orleans, staged for the gathered international media outlets.
“It’s moments like these, weeks like these, the month that we just had in the playoffs that make me feel like I could play this game forever.
“I feel like I still have a lot of good football left in me. We’ll see what happens. I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life.
“That’s always been the goal knowing football only lasts for so long.”
But asked where he sees himself in three years time, Kelce added: “Hopefully still playing football. I plan on being a Kansas City Chief and playing football.”
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Kelce is still playing at a high level even if he has fallen off a bit from his peak. He had 97 catches this season but only gained 823 yards and scored three TDs.
In the playoffs though he has come alive, enjoying a throwback performance in the Chiefs’ divisional round win over Houston, with seven catches for 117 yards and one touchdown – and he enters the Super Bowl with the most catches ever in the playoffs (174) and is second to Hall of Famer Jerry Rice in receiving yards (2,039) and TD catches (20).
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Kelce reserved praise for Swift, saying their relationship helps motivate him to keep performing on the football field.
“I better hold up my end of the bargain,” he said. “If she’s out here being the superstar she is, never taking no for an answer, and always working her tail off, I better match that energy for sure.
“I think we both love to manifest things. You can’t say it’s not real because we’re here, right?”
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Intrigue has also centered around the Pennsylvania-born Swift’s team loyalty in the Super Bowl after Philadelphia reached Super Bowl LIX, where they will face Kansas City, but Kelce has no doubts as to where her allegiances lie.
“I know her father is an Eagles fan,” he said. “But she’ll be all for the Chiefs this time around for sure.”
The Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday February 9, live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm ahead of kickoff at 11.30pm; Tom Brady features on commentary while Kendrick Lamar headlines the half-time show
