For Pete's Sake

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce apologizes for his comments about playing in Brazil

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Imagn Images

Tight end Travis Kelce had some strong opinions last week about the Chiefs facing the Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.

The travel and opponent weren’t the issue for the 2025 season opener. It was the thought of having to play in heat.

“There’s just something about getting closer to the equator that I don’t want to put on a football uniform doing that. I’ve been in Jacksonville in September, and that’s ... miserable,” Kelce said on the New Heights podcast.

He added: “If it’s hot and humid and kind of what I’m expecting, I’m going to be miserable. But we’re going to find a way to get a win.”

Kelce said he’ll ask the Chiefs equipment managers to provide him two jerseys, three pairs of pants, plenty of socks and maybe four pairs of cleats.

I’m going to be sweating so bad,” Kelce said.

The good news for Kelce is the worst heat comes in December, January and February, when it is summer in Brazil.

“From mid-August to October, in spring, the temperature rises and there can be very hot periods, however, sometimes cool, winter-like weather can return,” the Climates To Travel website noted.

So there could be mild temperatures when the Chiefs play the Chargers, as Jason Kelce noted this week on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast.

Travis Kelce noted that he’s a “furry” son of a gun and really hates the heat. He clarified that he’s excited to play an international game, just not being in a warm climate.

“Me and heat just don’t do well together,” Kelce said. “So I apologize if it came off that I’m not excited about this. I’m still excited. I’m just going to be doing some wardrobe changes throughout the game.”

He added: “Shoutout to everybody down in Brazil. Can’t wait to get down there. Sorry if it came off as I’m not excited, because I am. We got a huge challenge with the Los Angeles Chargers, baby.”

This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM.

Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.
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