Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce grateful to have former star Tony Gonzalez as a mentor
The Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has had seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, which is an NFL record for a tight end.
But a triple-digit number in that category in the 2023 season would be significant.
Should Kelce get 597 receiving yards this season, he’ll become the Chiefs’ career leader in that category. Also within reach for Kelce are career touchdowns (he’s eight shy of setting the KC record) and receptions (103 away from breaking the mark).
All three of those Chiefs records are held by another renowned tight end: Tony Gonzalez. He had 916 receptions for 10,940 yards and 76 touchdowns during his 12 seasons with the Chiefs.
During an interview last week on SiriusXM’s NFL Training Camp Tour with Alex Marvez and Charles Davis, Kelce talked about how his career has been helped by Gonzalez.
“I’ve got an unbelievable reach of just mentors,” Kelce said. “I mean, Tony Gonzalez has been one of the best mentors a guy like me could have. I came into the league trying to fill that guy’s shoes. Still trying to fill that guy’s shoes. The want to be as good as him and the want to be as accepting of a player. You hear everybody talk about TG in this building and what he meant to the city and things like that, and you’re nonstop trying to chase that forever.
“And for him to be at my disposal, at my reach at all times, man, I can’t thank him enough.”
Ahead of the AFC Championship Game in 2022, Kelce paid tribute to Gonzalez when he spoke with the media.
Kelce has 814 catches in his career with 10,344 receiving yards and 69 touchdowns. With a reception in the Chiefs’ season opener against the Lions on Sept. 7, Kelce will tie former Broncos star Shannon Sharpe for career receptions.
Sharpe, a Hall of Famer, has already seen his career stats for receiving yards and touchdown catches surpassed by Kelce.
Kelce also praised Sharpe for providing advice when needed.
“Shannon Sharpe (is) always helping me with the little things, both on and off the field,” Kelce said. “So having a great group of mentors always helps.”
Kelce, who turns 34 in October, is the longest-tenured player on the Chiefs roster.
Although he spent part of the offseason dabbling in the entertainment world (hosting “Saturday Night Live” and appearing on “The Tonight Show”), Kelce still loves playing football.
“Coming into this building, it’s still fun, man. It’s still a blast,” Kelce said. “Coach (Andy) Reid says it best, man: just come in, show your personality, create the energy and find ways to enjoy this thing. And we just keep this thing rolling. But for the most part, I love what I’m doing. I still have motivation to go out and get Super Bowls and get wins and keep this train rolling.
“Keep all the wins piling up and just want to keep coming into work every single day. For whatever reason, I haven’t gotten bored yet.”
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 9:20 AM.
