As the Kansas City Chiefs wrap up their training camp, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a moment to commend his teammate and close friend, Travis Kelce, for his exceptional work ethic and commitment to the team. Speaking during a press conference on the final day of camp, Mahomes highlighted how Kelce’s dedication to the game sets the tone for the entire squad.
Mahomes on Kelce’s Relentless Drive
“It’s remarkable, honestly,” Mahomes said when asked about Kelce’s performance and effectiveness on the field. “You see him out there every day at practice. He’s working, he’s in there getting the reps. He actually gets mad when they take him out.”
At 34 years old, Kelce continues to demonstrate why he is considered one of the NFL’s elite players. Despite his veteran status and the accolades that come with it, including multiple Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl rings, Kelce’s passion for the game remains undiminished. “He has all the right in the world to go out there and just kind of be on the sideline and coach because he knows all the stuff,” Mahomes continued. “But he loves working. It makes my job easy as a leader to push other guys because I can just say, ‘Look at the Hall of Famer who’s out here practicing harder than anybody.'”
The Process of Greatness
Mahomes went on to explain what makes Kelce so special: his love for the process of being great. “He enjoys the process of practicing, he enjoys the process of working on little details,” Mahomes said. “That’s what the great ones do. You hear stories about guys like Jerry Rice, and it’s the same with Travis.”
This commitment to continuous improvement, even after years of success, is something Mahomes believes helps him lead others on the team. “When you’re great like that, you enjoy the process of what it takes to be great,” he added. “It helps me lead other guys because you can always point to that guy to show that that’s how it’s done.”
A Bond Beyond Football
The bond between Mahomes and Kelce goes beyond just the football field. Earlier this year, during a Super Bowl press conference, both players spoke about their unique communication on the gridiron. Kelce noted that their connection is so strong that not everything needs to be verbalized. “There’s just been a lot of work that’s gone in, so there are some things that don’t need to be said,” Kelce explained.
Mahomes echoed this sentiment, describing their connection as almost telepathic. “We think along the same wavelength on a lot of things,” he said. “We have a lot of similar hobbies, similar interests, and it translates to the football field.”
Looking Ahead to Preseason
With training camp now concluded, Mahomes and Kelce are turning their attention to the upcoming preseason games. The Chiefs are set to take on the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, August 17th. This follows their first preseason effort against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the Chiefs fell 13-26.
As the Chiefs prepare for another run at the Super Bowl, the leadership and work ethic of veterans like Travis Kelce will undoubtedly be a key factor in their success.