Travis Kelce opens up on potential retirement after Chiefs' Super Bowl loss: 'Driving me crazy this year'
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Travis Kelce has revealed he is contemplating retirement following the team’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl showdown in New Orleans.
The devastating defeat ended the Chiefs’ historic three-peat hopes, leaving Kelce to reflect on his future in the NFL.
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Travis Kelce opens up on being non-committal about his future
With girlfriend Taylor Swift watching from the stands at Caesars Superdome on February 9, the 35-year-old struggled to make an impact on the game, fueling speculation over whether this might be his final season.
On the latest episode of his podcast 'New Heights' with brother Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce admitted that stepping away from football is a serious consideration.
During the podcast, he remained noncommittal about his future, saying, "I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year, and right now I’m just kicking everything down the road. I’m not making any crazy decisions yet."
"Right now, the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and my coaches," he added.
Travis' comments indicate that while he has not made a final decision, he is feeling the weight of 12 grueling NFL seasons.
Travis Kelce doubles down on 'grueling' process of competing
Travis Kelce pointed to the physical toll of competing at the highest level as a major factor in his contemplation of retirement, according to Daily Mail.
"The fact that we keep going to these AFC Championships and these Super Bowls means I’m playing an extra three games than everybody else in the league. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your body," he shared.
"The process can be grueling—it can make you better, but it can also drive you crazy. And this year, it was kind of driving me crazy," he added.
"When you feel yourself not having the success that you used to have, it’s a tough reality," Travis admitted.
Jason Kelce offers perspective on late-career challenges
Jason Kelce, who retired last year after 13 seasons with the Eagles, sympathized with his younger brother, acknowledging how difficult it becomes to perform at an elite level as a player ages.
"To do it right, you have to be committed. And it’s difficult to sign up for that because you know what it takes," said Jason.
"You’ve been to this game multiple times, had amazing success, but it gets harder and harder to do. So take your time, get away from everything for a while," he shared.
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As Travis weighs his future, reports suggest he is planning a getaway with Swift to clear his mind.
A source close to the couple told People that despite the devastating Super Bowl loss, "Things seem great between them, and they’re incredibly happy together."
