Chiefs’ Travis Kelce was dealing with an undisclosed illness before Super Bowl LIX
In the days before Super Bowl LIX, the Chiefs didn’t have an extensive injury report, but punter Matt Araiza was dealing with an illness.
Turns out tight end Travis Kelce also was under the weather at some point before the game at the Superdome in New Orleans, although the team had never disclosed that.
While talking with the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Tuesday at the Combine, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Kelce was ill. That bit of information came when Veach was asked about Kelce’s future.
“He’s accomplished everything that there is in this game, and he has that unique ability to not just make those around him better, but find that extra something when you get late into the season and into the when we get in the postseason,” Veach said.
“We’re never going to make excuses and talk about it, but I mean, he was battling with a pretty big illness there for the Super Bowl. But listen, the way the Eagles played, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Kelce had four receptions for 39 yards in the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Later on the NFL Network, Ian Rapoport mentioned Kelce’s illness while talking about the future for the Chiefs star.
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM.
