After the Kansas City Chiefs’ painful Super Bowl loss against the Philadelphia Eagles last month, fans were wondering if Travis Kelce would choose to retire. More than ever, it seemed as if he might have been ready to walk away from the NFL forever, but now, we know he’s officially coming back next season. According to a source close to Travis, it might be thanks to girlfriend Taylor Swift giving him the extra push he needed to get back into the game.
At first, when it came to the decision to retire or keep playing, it appeared Travis could go either way. In the days after the Super Bowl, he admitted that for the time being, he was “just kicking everything down the road.”
“If I do come back, it’s going to be something that’s a wholehearted decision,” he said at the time. “I think I could play, it’s just whether or not I’m motivated or it’s the best decision for me as a man, as a human, as a person to take on all that responsibility.”
Now that we know Travis ultimately decided against retiring, it sounds like Taylor – who has become a regular fixture in the crowds at Chiefs’ games – had a lot of influence over Travis’ choice.
According to what sources told Page Six, Taylor and Travis “definitely discussed” his options “as a couple,” and Taylor didn’t hold back when it came to encouraging him to play another season.
“She didn’t want Travis to retire. She wanted him to go out on a high note,” the source said.
Knowing Taylor’s work ethic, it’s no surprise that her vote would be for Travis to put off retirement for now. After a record-breaking career, it would be a shame if this Super Bowl was the way that fans remembered him. Now, he has a chance to go out winning.
Travis confirmed that he would be returning to play for the Kansas City Chiefs next season in a text message that was read aloud on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.
“I’m coming back, for sure,” he shared. “Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”
