Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs plan to be three-peat Super Bowl champs, and part of that is embracing their role as the league’s villain.
The Super Bowl of doom approaches. On Feb. 9, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs with get their rematch from last year. Not only that, but the Chiefs have the opportunity to be the first ever team to win the Lombardi trophy three times in a row. It’s certain to be a game of historic value, if not much else. Many fans have been dreading this matchup ever since the playoffs started, and Travis Kelce made his feelings known about the matter.
“I love it”, Travis Kelce says on the New Heights podcast. Hosted together with brother and former Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis’ perspective comes from sticking with the Chiefs throughout the years. Drafted by Kansas City back in 2013, the Chiefs have never experienced a losing season during Kelce’s tenure. It wasn’t until Patrick Mahomes started at quarterback that the Chiefs became the powerhouse we know today. Initially, this drew admiration and support across the league for a team with a young QB that hadn’t been in the Super Bowl since 1969.
Of course, things changed as Kansas City kept winning. Fans’ sentiments about the Chiefs have changed, and they often claim the referees show the team favoritism. Travis Kelce, for his part, has been undeterred on the field. Kelce has never been afraid to be brazen, and it’s hard to ignore him as part of this modern dynasty. The 35-year-old tight end is still a key figure in the Chiefs offense, seemingly always open in the middle of the field on third downs.
However the spectators may feel, Travis Kelce’s perspective makes perfect sense. As competitors, it’s best for the team to embrace the role thrust upon them and tune out any boos or jeers. In the neutral ground of New Orleans, their ability to stay focused will be tested against the Eagles faithful. Known to be some of the most rowdy fans in the league, the Philadelphia team has earned it’s ire over the course of the league’s history. Regardless of how successful they are, the Eagles have consistently been rated as one of the most hated franchises in the NFL.
Despite that, the Eagles are still seen as the lesser of two evils going into the Super Bowl. This is largely because of Saquon Barkley, who joined the Eagles this year and has had a fantastic season. The running back had been part of a struggling Giants team for years, and even most New York fans couldn’t hold it against him when he sought greener pastures. Having shown his full potential multiple times this year, Barkley seems to be the de facto hero in this situation. This might also be because of the character he’s shown.
Barkley could have possibly broke the single-season rushing yard record set by Eric Dickerson in 1984, but was sat with the rest of the starters during Week 18 against the Cowboys. Barkley humbly accepted this decision as what would be best for the team, to be best prepared for the playoffs. Now in the running for League MVP and expectations for a stellar Super Bowl performance, it’s no wonder why fans are rallying behind him specifically. Both teams will have to face serious pressure on Feb. 9, and the contrast between Travis Kelce and Barkley is just one part of it.
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