Kelce’s Candid Admission: ‘I Wasn’t the Best Leader’ After Breaking Rule for Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce has starred for the Kansas City Chiefs this season, but struggled as his side fell to a crushing defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl

Travis Kelce has spoken out on his Kansas City Chiefs’ crushing Super Bowl defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelce endured a difficult night in New Orleans as the Eagles dominated the showpiece clash to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Chiefs were left shellshocked as Nick Sirianni’s men took a 34-0 lead, before ultimately running out 40-22 winners.

The struggles of their star tight end summed up the Chiefs’ night, with Kelce ending the game with just four catches for only 39 yards. It was a humiliating experience for the 35-year-old, with his girlfriend Taylor Swift in attendance.

As the fallout from the blowout defeat continues, Kelce has spoken out on his side’s awful night. And the American has admitted he is ‘kicking himself’ over his performance.

He told the New Heights podcast: “Just wasn’t out day. Couldn’t find a lick of momentum. I’m kicking myself for some of the tiny, tiny decisions I made on the field.

“I wasn’t the best that I could be in motivating my guys and keeping my guys calm, cool and collected and I put a lot of that on myself, you know, as the guy that’s been in the building for 12 years and seen a lot of football and seen a situation just like this, in the Super Bowl.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s a hard reality, man. I have loved ones, I have the most amazing family in the world that supports me in everything I do and they were all there, cheering me on and hoping for the best on Sunday.

“I wish things had went different. I wish I had made better decisions early on to help my guy Pat out and help my team find that momentum and that confidence. But you know, I just have to tip my hat to the Eagles.”

Kelce and the Chiefs had won the previous two Super Bowls, but their chances of claiming a three-peat went up in smoke in the Superdome. The defeat came after Kelce broke a golden rule in the build-up to the game, by meeting his girlfriend Swift.

Last year, herevealed that teams typically isolate in local hotels for pre-match training and a critical focus period ahead of the biggest day in the US sporting calendar. But around two days before the clash, Kelce and Swift were seen dining in a high-profile, local restaurant called Lilette.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s game, there have been some suggestions that Kelce may well retire. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is hoping his favourite receiver sticks around though.

“He’s given so much to this team and to the NFL and been such a joy, not only for me to work with but for people to watch,” Mahomes said. “He knows he still has a lot of football left in him. You can see it. He always makes plays in the biggest moments.

“But it’s if he wants to put in that grind, to go out there and play 20 games to get to the Super Bowl. He’s done enough to be a gold jacket guy and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I know he still has a love for the game. He’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own.”