RM Travis Kelce Shows Emotion During National Anthem, Potentially His Last Game at Arrowhead

Travis Kelce took to Arrowhead Stadium, donning his Kansas City Chiefs jersey and gear, and walked down the tunnel to join his teammates before the game against the Denver Broncos. It was a special moment, as this could have been his final appearance at the iconic stadium.

The Chiefs’ hopes for this season were dashed earlier, after the Los Angeles Chargers ended their playoff aspirations. The team that had clinched three Super Bowl titles in the past six years would not be part of the 2025 postseason.

Kelce, who had envisioned retiring with another Lombardi Trophy in hand, faced disappointment after falling short in the previous season. Despite not achieving his ultimate goal, Kelce’s contributions were undeniable. At 36 years old, he had led the Chiefs in receiving yards and receptions as the season came to a close, just before facing the Broncos on Christmas Day.

In one of his best performances of the season, Kelce had a standout game against Denver in Week 11, catching 9 passes for 91 yards and scoring a touchdown. Throughout his career, Kelce had dominated the Broncos, totaling 130+ catches, 1600+ yards, and 8 touchdowns in 21 games against the division rivals. Given the circumstances, fans expected a big performance from him, even with the Chiefs down to their third-string quarterback, Chris Oladokun.

The day before the game, Kelce shared his thoughts in an interview with Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, which aired on Amazon Prime. Reflecting on his career, he spoke fondly of the atmosphere at Arrowhead.

“The feeling of playing in front of those fans, getting a first down, or scoring a touchdown and hearing the crowd go wild—that’s something I’ll remember forever, no matter when I retire,” Kelce said.

On the day of the game, Prime cameras captured Kelce as he prepared for what could have been his final national anthem at Arrowhead. His emotions were clear as he soaked in the moment.

The Chiefs ultimately lost 13-20, pushing their record to 6-10 for the season and marking their fifth consecutive loss. It was a tough finish for the team, especially given the circumstances with their backup quarterback.

Oladokun, in his first start for Kansas City, completed 13 of 22 passes for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. When asked about the possibility of Kelce playing his final game in Kansas City, Oladokun expressed hope that the tight end would return next season.

“I hope it’s not his last year,” Oladokun said. “He’ll make that decision in the offseason. Everyone in Chiefs Kingdom would love to have him back. The game loves Trav, so we’ll see what he decides.”

Kelce finished the game with 5 catches for 36 yards, with his best moment coming in the final minute when Oladokun connected with him for a 14-yard gain. Despite the loss, the respect between teammates was evident.

“He’s the greatest tight end of all time. I’d be foolish not to lean on him,” Oladokun said. “Even in the quarter where he didn’t catch a pass, he was still in my ear telling me we were going to get things going.”

In turn, Kelce praised Oladokun for keeping his cool during a fumble recovery and continuing to lead on the field.

“I’ve never seen someone draw the defense in like that with a fumble,” Kelce joked. “But seriously, I’m proud of him. His attention to detail, professionalism, and leadership have been top-notch.”

With the Chiefs’ playoff hopes officially dashed, Kelce is now in the final year of his two-year contract, which will expire after the upcoming Raiders game. While the future remains uncertain, if Kelce chooses to return for another season, the Chiefs would likely offer him a new contract, ensuring one of the greatest players in franchise history could continue his legacy in Kansas City.