Travis Kelce reveals the reason why he chose not to retire following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl heartbreak

After a crushing 40–22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, many speculated that Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end Travis Kelce might hang up his cleats. At 35 years old and with three Super Bowl rings and a Hall of Fame-worthy résumé, retirement would’ve been a fitting next step. But Kelce shocked fans by announcing he’s not done yet — and now he’s explaining exactly why.

In a recent interview, Kelce admitted the Super Bowl defeat was an “all-time low” in his career, but instead of letting that moment define the end of his legacy, it ignited a new fire in him. “I just didn’t want to walk away like that,” Kelce said. “I couldn’t leave on that note. I owe it to myself, my teammates, and the fans to give it one more go.”

Another major influence was head coach Andy Reid, who reminded Kelce how much he still has to offer on and off the field. “Coach told me, ‘You still got it, Trav.’ That meant a lot,” Kelce shared.

Family also played a role — although his brother Jason Kelce recently retired from the NFL, he encouraged Travis to follow his own path. Interestingly, Jason admitted he was “a little hurt” by the decision, joking about the $17 million Travis left on the table if he had walked away, but ultimately showed support.

Kelce also pointed to his deep love for Kansas City and the fans who’ve backed him since he was drafted in 2013. “This city means the world to me. I want to go out with a bang — not a heartbreak.”

As he gears up for the 2025 NFL season, it’s clear Kelce isn’t just chasing another ring — he’s chasing redemption.