Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had a debt to pay.
Kelce and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Their alma maters, Cincinnati and Texas Tech met over the college football weekend. Mahomes had jokingly suggested the two bring back their looks from their respective times in college, which Kelce swiftly rejected. But they did have something on the game.
Kelce paid off his debt, donning the head of the Red Raiders’ mascot, the Masked Rider during the live stream of the “New Heights” podcast on October 2.
Patrick Mahomes Sends 2-Word Message After Travis Kelce Settles Debt
Chiefs’ Teammates Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Settle Debt
“#WreckEm,” Mahomes posted on X on October 2, sharing a clip of Kelce after Tech won the 44-41 affair.
We’ve got a great show, but first Trav had to settle a bet with @PatrickMahomes
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW: https://t.co/dVgn2DadOY pic.twitter.com/bBK7pZQlJA
— New Heights (@newheightshow) October 2, 2024
The game was close throughout, knotted at halftime and ending on a missed field goal attempt by the Bearcats. It is light-hearted fun at a time when the Chiefs have several pressing items to sort through this week.
Chiefs Rookie Gets Shoutout in NFL Player Poll
Their most glaring question is likely deciding whether or not they have enough talent in-house to replace injured wide receiver Rashee Rice.
However, the Chiefs could have a viable in-house option already.
Rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy was called a “one-trick” option on the “Scoop City” podcast on October 1. But Worthy’s natural abilities could give him a better chance to fill the void left by Rice than any mid-season addition.
A legitimate speedster, Worthy got a shoutout in a poll of players conducted by The Athletic and published on October 2.
Mahomes tied with Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in a poll of who players would take first in a flag football fantasy draft. Worthy fell into the “others receiving votes” category, but was name-checked by one of the 110 players polled for the piece. Former Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill, now of the Miami Dolphins, was the top choice.
“Lamar, No. 1. One hundred percent Tyreek Hill and bro from the Chiefs, the fast cat, Xavier Worthy,” the player said, per Mike Jones and The Athletic NFL staff on October 2.
Worthy’s skill set may not be as diverse as it will be when he is an older, more polished player.
The Chiefs can still get the ball in his hands on screens, handoffs, and the like. They also have possession options on the roster in Kelce, fellow tight end Noah Gray, and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Taylor Swift Voted a ‘Positive’ Presence at Chiefs Games
Another area the Chiefs popped in the poll was the atmosphere in Arrowhead Stadium on game days. They tied with the Houston Texans in percentage of votes earned. But they get a boost thanks to a certain pop icon.
Players voted that Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, has been a positive presence at games.
This is mostly notable due to the conversations around his production after an offseason featuring more off-the-field commitments than in past years for the All-Pro tight end.
It was not a 100% vote, of course. There was mixed commentary in the poll, ranging from some players urging the broadcast stations to “find a balance” with showing Swift on camera while another player did not care either way.
Arrowhead also drew criticism for its locker rooms.
However, the Chiefs’ home was voted to have the second-best playing surface in the entire league.
It tied with SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams. Both ranked behind only Levi Stadium, where the San Francisco 49ers play. The Chiefs’ facilities also caught flack in a poll conducted by the NFLPA earlier this year.
Main Photo: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
