Travis Kelce opens up on Chiefs’ slow start, how Kansas City will turn season around, and more

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t off to the beginning they wished, despite the fact that the crew is displaying indicators of turning the season round. Kansas Metropolis earned a tricky victory over Washington final week — led by a powerful second half on either side of the ball. The Chiefs have one other robust problem on Sunday after they face the Tennessee Titans, a sport that might dictate how their 2021 will unfold of their quest to win a sixth straight AFC West crown.

Whereas Kelce has been productive on the sphere (38 catches, 468 yards, 4 touchdowns), he is been dominant off the sphere via his Eighty-Seven & Working basis. Kelce, who already raises money through the foundation with his production on the field, collaborated with Pepsi and his clothes line, Tru Kolors, to launch limited edition T-shirts the place a portion of the proceeds will go towards the inspiration. 

“I am encouraging all people to remain true to themselves and am appreciating others towards doing the identical,” Kelce mentioned. “It is actually simply giving again to the neighborhood and will get into the youth, the youngsters in the neighborhood. It impacts the traditionally underserved, underprivileged children all through the town.”

Pepsi additionally gave $10,000 towards the Eighty-Seven & Working basis, a donation Kelce admires as their partnership continues to develop — alongside along with his basis. Kelce began the Eighty-Seven & Working basis in 2015 to offer alternatives to deprived youth and to assist them aspire past their present conditions.

“I’ve teamed up with them (Pepsi) all through my profession in Kansas Metropolis. I’ve executed a variety of stuff with them over time as a result of they provide a lot again to the neighborhood,” Kelce mentioned. “That is simply one other means we’re on the identical web page. Eighty-Seven & Working has executed an enormous job by way of giving again to the neighborhood and the underserved children in the neighborhood in Kansas Metropolis. Pepsi is simply being grateful in serving to out with that and catapulted us in that course as effectively. These previous couple years have been onerous occasions on all people and somewhat assistance is at all times price it.” 

Kelce sat down with CBS Sports activities to speak in regards to the 2021 Chiefs up to now, the Week 7 matchup with the Titans, and the way Kansas Metropolis goes to show its season round.

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The Chiefs are again to .500 and sitting at 3-3. The place do you see this crew after six video games? 

Kelce: “Assured. We’re coming off a giant win and Washington is an efficient soccer crew. They are a very bodily soccer crew and we knew that moving into. It did not begin off the best way we wished it to, nevertheless it ended the best way we wished it to. We got here out within the second half wit a variety of vitality and a variety of ardour to play for one another. 

“That is what this sport is all about. Going out and being accountable, eager to win the sport for the man subsequent to you. Positive sufficient, we rallied collectively and we had a enjoyable second half.”

You guys should have mentioned one thing at halftime to get the flames burning with 21 unanswered factors within the second half.

Kelce: “To be be trustworthy, it is simply us being who we’re. We’ve got all the arrogance on the earth we will win any sport within the Nationwide Soccer League. We actually do. We predict our crew sizes up nice towards anyone. So simply going on the market and never hurting ourselves with penalties and turnovers, missed tackles — alternatives we’re not making the most of. 

“I believe all the pieces has been form of self-inflicted. I am not taking something away from the groups that we misplaced to. These groups are actually good groups they usually beat us. We’ve got to stay with that the remainder of the yr. I believe what it is executed is inspire us to form of tighten the ship, get us somewhat bit extra centered on the small print, and play somewhat bit more durable for one another understanding how a lot individuals are attempting to separate us.” 

The Chiefs have one other robust matchup this week towards the Titans. Are you able to inform me somewhat bit about this Titans crew?

Kelce: “Watching that Monday evening sport, that was fairly spectacular. This can be a huge problem for us primarily based on how bodily this crew is. They bought nice coaches over there. Coach (Mike) Vrabel is somebody I am very conversant in being from Ohio and going up towards his defenses all through my profession they usually’re at all times very well-prepared going right into a sport.

“We’re up for the problem to enter a hostile surroundings in Tennessee and attempt to discover one other solution to win.” 

How does Mike Vrabel and his defenses make your job troublesome?

Kelce: “They’re very bodily. They run a really bodily crew over there. You may see in the best way they run their offense how they prefer to run the ball and play downhill. They’ve huge, huge receivers out on the wings they usually have nice tight ends that may make performs within the run and cross sport.

“And defensively, that entrance seven is without doubt one of the finest within the league. They’ve huge bodily guys that attempt to come off the ball and be the bully and pressure their bodily dominance. We’ve got some huge dudes up entrance which can be bodily as effectively.”

Are you able to clarify the success of your offensive line this yr. Personally, I believe it has been phenomenal. 

Kelce: “It has been superior simply having the blokes within the constructing. The younger guys have became actual professionals due to the management that the veteran guys have are available in with. Joe Thuney, Orlando Brown, Mike Remmers — there’s a variety of management in that room. 

“Once you’re round that offensive line group, you’ll be able to see they’re having a blast. That helps the camaraderie, the chemistry of the crew. You’ve a variety of good dudes that simply wish to get higher at soccer and have enjoyable doing it. What they’ve executed for the offense this yr has been second to none. I believe they’ve actually catapulted us into being one of many prime offenses within the league.” 

Does it really feel just like the Chiefs are the underdog this yr? Are you embracing an underdog function?

Kelce: “I do not suppose anyone has the mentality on this crew that we’re lesser of a crew than anyone else. There’s a variety of confidence in who we’re and what we constructed right here over the previous couple years. We simply need to go on the market and play somewhat bit more durable for the man subsequent to you. This yr, basically, has undoubtedly challenged us extra so than others and it is going to make us a greater soccer crew in the long term.” 

You performed your brother just a few weeks in the past. How was that change after the sport? Any jersey exchanges or something particular you two did? 

Kelce: “Oh I’ve stolen just a few of his jerseys, so I bought just a few of them round the home! It was cool to see him, my mother, my father, all my household. These are reminiscences that I will maintain pricey to my coronary heart my complete life. Being on that discipline, sharing that have with my brother. Not a variety of brothers get to try this. It is one thing particular and undoubtedly cool to return out of Philly with a win, too.”

The Eagles performed you guys fairly robust.

Kelce: “They’ve a variety of good expertise. They’ve some good coaches over there which can be placing them in good conditions. We had been hitting on all cylinders by way of the offense and everybody was making performs. We dealt with enterprise moving into there and taking part in the Eagles, particularly within the Linc (Lincoln Monetary Subject).”