Patrick Mahomes insists Travis Kelce proved he is ‘one of the greatest’ by going through the pain barrier to inspire the Chiefs’ win over the Vikings on Sunday night.
Kelce, whose new love interest Taylor Swift chose not to attend his latest NFL outing, limped off during the second quarter in Minneapolis after slipping on the turf and twisting his ankle.
Despite being listed as questionable to return, the Chiefs tight end took to the field again after the halftime break and went on to catch a game-winning touchdown reception.
The visitors moved 14 points ahead at US Bank Stadium when Kelce hauled in a four-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes with 2:45 to go in the third quarter. He caught the pass just in front of the goal line and dived into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season.
And after the game, Mahomes heaped praise on Kelce for ‘battling through’ his injury to help them seal a fourth-straight victory.
‘I feel like Travis has the same mindset as I do,’ the 28-year-old told reporters. ‘If you give him a window to get back in the game, he’s going to be back in the game.
‘Competitor, man. That’s why he’s one of the greatest, that he can battle through stuff like that. And he came back and made a lot of great catches for us.’
When asked if he spoke to Kelce during the halftime interval, Mahomes joked: ‘I don’t like to talk to Travis when he’s hurting, ‘cos he’s a mean guy…
‘I did not talk to him at halftime. I kind of just peaked in there and looked at Rick [Burkholder] and asked “how we feeling?” And he said he’s gonna try to see if we can go.’
With Kelce watching the first possession of the third quarter from the sideline, Mahomes drove the Chiefs 75 yards in 11 plays for the tiebreaking touchdown pass to Rashee Rice.
‘He just said, “Give me a minute. Let me see what I can do here,”‘ coach Andy Reid said.
Kelce was then back in on the next drive and sure made his presence was felt – with five catches on a 74-yard, 11-play march.
‘I have those moments where I’m like, “I’m about to get crushed,” and I look over and 87 is just running free,’ Mahomes added.
‘He’s been with me a long time. He knows how to get himself open whenever he gets an opportunity.’
Most of the pre-game anticipation in Minnesota centered around Swift, who set the internet ablaze by attending Kelce and the Chiefs’ previous two fixtures amid her budding new relationship with the tight end.
However, despite plenty of excitement over her potential appearance, the pop sensation decided against a third straight NFL outing at US Bank Stadium.
