‘Pretty big’, Kansas City Chiefs announce Travis Kelce was battling serious illness before Super Bowl loss to Eagles
Chiefs general manager also addressed Travis Kelce’s future
TRAVIS Kelce was battling a “pretty big” illness during the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs have revealed.
The 35-year-old tight end was largely a non-factor in the defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Travis Kelce battled illness in the Super Bowl, it has been revealedCredit: Reuters
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The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has yet to decide on retirementCredit: Getty
Kelce caught four catches for 39 yards as the Chiefs fell to a devastating 40-22 loss which dashed their hopes of a three-peat.
Speaking to NFL Network at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, general manager Brett Veach revealed Kelce’s health battle.
“We’re never going to make excuses and talk about it, but he was battling with a pretty big illness there before the Super Bowl,” Veach said.
“But listen, the way the Eagles played, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Kelce has yet to make a decision over whether he will retire this summer.
The 35-year-old said on his New Heights podcast on February 12 that he’s “kicking everything I can down the road”.
Chiefs general manager Veach also said that the team expects their legendary tight end to return.
He said Kelce was “fired up” about entering the final year of his contract, and playing.
“We left it as, he’d be back and we’re excited to get him back and get him going,” he added.
Kelce believes he can play in the NFL for another three seasons, an insider told The U.S. Sun after the Super Bowl.
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He spoke ahead of the Super Bowl about dietary and lifestyle changes now he’s in the latter part of his career.
“I’ve been eating clean,” Kelce revealed on the Thursday before the Super Bowl.
“I haven’t been drinking as much, a little lower on the pounds this week.
“So, hopefully I can run away from some Eagles out there.”
Super Bowl LIX didn’t go to plan for Kelce or the Chiefs.
Philadelphia dominated the game and avenged their defeat from two years ago in Glendale, Arizona.
Kelce said, “I know everybody wants to know whether or not I’m playing next year, and right now I’m just kicking everything down the road.
“I’m kicking every can I can down the road.
“I’m not making any crazy decisions [yet].
“Right now the biggest thing is just being there for my teammates and being there for my coaches, understanding there’s a lot that goes into this thing.”
