Just like Super Bowl, Kelce brothers felt joy, pain... but this experience was reversed
When the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII in February, the New Heights podcast featuring brothers Jason and Travis Kelce went on as scheduled — as difficult as the conversation was for Jason, the Eagles center.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will know that feeling this week, if a new episode drops.
The Chiefs’ fall-from-ahead 21-17 loss to the Eagles on Monday Night Football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium was a gut-punch for the home team — and Travis Kelce. He finished with seven receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.
But Kelce also lost a fumble in the red zone, potentially costing the Chiefs points. And he was one of several Chiefs players who dropped a pass.
There was no brotherly consolation.
“I really didn’t say anything to him,” Jason Kelce said. “I knew he was frustrated, especially down the stretch. I’m sure there are some plays he’s beating himself up over. I didn’t really know what to say.”
Jason Kelce held court in front of his locker wearing his high school letterman’s jacket. He had exchanged jerseys with Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, and the KC No. 52 he received in return was about to be packed away.
He spread credit for the victory.
“We have a lot of talent, a lot of great coaches, and it’s going to be that much better when we start putting together full games,” Jason Kelce said.
Travis Kelce kept it brief in the Chiefs’ locker room, shouldering blame for the loss.
“I’ve got to be better,” he said. “I’m just not playing up to the level I have in the past...Turnovers and penalties on our half. It’s nothing that they did.”
Except the Eagles, with two second-half touchdowns, took advantage of Chiefs’ mistakes
“Happy belated birthday,” said Jason Kelce, who turned 36 earlier this month. “He didn’t really get me a gift. So, I guess (the victory) counts. ... Obviously we’ll talk this week.”
Because the teams played on Monday and both play next on Sunday, it’s sure to be a condensed week of practice. On the popular podcast they share, the Kelces have offered insight into their lives as NFL brothers, Super Bowl opponents, Jason’s home life with three daughters, Travis’ dating experiences with pop music icon Taylor Swift ...
And now they can discuss their latest encounter on a rainy night in Kansas City, where the Eagles improved to 9-1 and the Chiefs dropped to 7-3.
“He’s not going to be happy, I bet,” Jason said. “We’ve had our ups and downs. He’s a smart player. He’s a veteran player. He’s been around a long time. He’ll know what to say if we do it (an episode or segment about the game).”
Making Monday’s outcome more gratifying to the Eagles and Jason Kelce: It was the organization’s first victory over Andy Reid, who was Philadelphia’s longtime coach before he was fired and resurfaced in Kansas City in 2013. Jason Kelce started his pro career playing for Reid, and his teams had lost all four previous games to the Chiefs.
Things looked bleak for the Eagles at halftime. The Chiefs led 17-7, having come up with five sacks and L’Jarius Sneed’s interception of Jalen Hurts in the first half.
But unlike the Super Bowl, when the Chiefs overcome a 10-point halftime deficit, the Eagles maintained their composure and finally got their offense moving against what had been a stout Chiefs defense. Kansas City forced seven punts and had a takeaway on 11 Eagles possessions.
It wasn’t enough.
“We just kept pushing and doing our job a little bit better,” Jason Kelce said. “Eventually, we started making plays happen. We ended up getting the victory because of that.”
And the better of his younger brother, for the first time in their NFL careers.
This story was originally published November 21, 2023 at 12:24 AM.