The Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to make NFL history on Sunday, and while much of the focus has been on the game, rumors have been swirling around star tight end Travis Kelce's future should he capture his fourth Lombardi Trophy against the Philadelphia Eagles.
At 35 years old, and turning 36 shortly after the start of next season, some have speculated that with a victory in Super Bowl 59, the 10-time Pro Bowler might choose to walk away from the game, joining his brother Jason Kelce, who retired last season after a long career with the Eagles.
However, the Chiefs' star made his stance clear this week when asked about his NFL future.
"I've got a full heart of football left in me," Kelce said Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "I really love this game and I think throughout the year it can get pretty tough."
He continued: "It's moments like these, the playoffs, these memories that I'll have with the teammates and coaches that I go to war with. There's just a certain love that I've found in it, and I think it's because of the people that I go to work with."
Kelce has had an illustrious career and will go down as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, with the accolades to back it up.
Since entering the league in 2013, he’s earned four first-team All-Pro selections and three second-team All-Pro selections, and he's the NFL's all-time leader in postseason receptions, surpassing the legendary Jerry Rice during the first round of the playoffs this year.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87).
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Over the course of his 12-year career, Kelce has amassed an impressive 1,004 receptions, 12,151 receiving yards, and 77 touchdowns. In the playoffs, he’s recorded 174 catches, 2,039 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 24 career games.
