- Kelce was briefly forced off the field after slipping on the turf and twisting his ankle
- But Taylor Swift’s new boyfriend eventually returned and scored a crucial touchdown
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Patrick Mahomes insists Travis Kelce proved he is “one of the greatest” by breaking through the pain barrier to give the Chiefs victory over the Vikings on Sunday night.
Kelce, whose new love Taylor Swift chose not to attend his final NFL game, limped off in the second quarter in Minneapolis after slipping on the turf and twisting his ankle.
Although a return was considered questionable, the Chiefs tight end took the field again after halftime and made a game-winning touchdown reception.
The visitors took a 14-point lead at US Bank Stadium when Kelce hauled in a four-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes with 2:45 left in the third quarter. He caught the pass just in front of the goal line and plunged into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season.
And after the game, Mahomes praised Kelce for “playing through” his injury and helping them earn their fourth straight win.
Patrick Mahomes insists Travis Kelce proved he is “one of the greatest” in the Chiefs’ win over the Vikings on Sunday night
Kelce caught a game-winning touchdown reception after briefly limping out of the game
But there was no sign of love interest in Taylor Swift, who decided not to attend another game
“I feel like Travis has the same mindset as me,” the 28-year-old told reporters. “If you give him a window to get back in the game, he’ll get back in the game.”
“Competitor, man. That’s why he’s one of the greatest because he can get through things like that. And he came back and made a lot of great catches for us.”
When asked if he had spoken to Kelce during halftime, Mahomes joked: “I don’t like to talk to Travis when he’s feeling bad because he’s a mean guy…”
“I didn’t speak to him at half-time. I just peeked in and looked at Rick [Burkholder] and asked, ‘How are we feeling?’ And he said he would try to see if we could go.’
As Kelce watched from the sideline on the first possession of the third quarter, Mahomes drove the Chiefs 75 yards in 11 plays and provided the game-winning touchdown pass to Rashee Rice.
“He just said, ‘Give me a minute. Let me see what I can do here,” coach Andy Reid said.
Kelce was there again on the next drive and made his presence felt with five catches on a 74-yard, 11-play drive.
“I have these moments where I’m like, ‘I’m about to be devastated,’ and when I look over, it’s impossible to ignore 87,” Mahomes added.
Mahomes was full of praise for his teammate Kelce after his game-winning contribution
The Chiefs tight end made five catches on a 74-yard, 11-play march after returning to the field
“He’s been with me for a long time.” “He knows how to open up whenever he gets the chance.”
Most of the anticipation leading up to the Minnesota game centered around Swift, who sent the internet into a frenzy by watching Kelce and the Chiefs in their last two meetings as her new relationship with the tight end blossomed.
However, despite much excitement about her potential appearance, the pop sensation decided against a third straight NFL appearance at US Bank Stadium.