Former and current Chiefs players are praising Travis Kelce ahead of the defending champions' AFC title showdown against the Buffalo Bills this weekend.
In their divisional playoff victory against the Houston Texans, Kelce caught a very important touchdown to help Kansas City secure a 23-14 victory at home.
But his teammates praised Kelce for much more than his football prowess.
Alex Smith, who played in the NFL for 14 years, praised his desire to be close to Kelce on and off the football field.
“If I had to make a team with those guys of teammates that I remember and will always remember, Travis is absolutely the first team on that list,” said Smith, who retired in 2020.
He's at the meeting. Travis is an energetic guy. You like every interaction with him. “You always feel better after talking to him,” Smith added.
Travis Kelce's Chiefs teammates praised his 'magnetic' personality and good heart.
Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith praised the tight end before the AFC title game
'There aren't many teammates you'd say that about. Some relationships are so unique. “Some people are very magnetic and you love being around them, and Travis is one of those guys.”
Smith wasn't the only player to praise Kelce, as third-year linebacker Leo Chenal admired Kelce's outsized personality.
“He cheers us up every time we go out on the field, (like, 'Come on guys, let's go,'” Chenal said. “Every time someone makes a play, he specifically calls it out or steps aside after the play: 'That's it.' great, that's great.' Keep it up, keep it up.'
“He's very nice, but at the same time he's a great leader.”
Kelce's heroics against Houston came after a regular season in which his numbers fell from previous seasons.
Although he has added 97 receptions, four more than last year, the tight end is recording yards (823) and touchdowns (3), the lowest number of his career.
The Chiefs hope to repeat Kelce's postseason form from last year when he scored two touchdowns against Buffalo in the divisional playoffs and another against Baltimore in the AFC title game.
Kansas City had a near-perfect season with a 15-2 record atop the AFC West. Their only losses were against Buffalo and Denver.
The winner between the Chiefs and Bills will face the victor of the NFC title game between the Eagles and Commanders in the Super Bowl on February 9.