Along with the two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes in the Kansas City Chiefs squad, Travis Kelce has been delivering phenomenal performances in the field the last couple of years. Despite grappling with injuries lately, the tight end has been doing his part at his best on the offensive side.
When the Chiefs lost their season-opening match without Kelce, his dominance was proven once again. The TE holds a great bond with his QB, but he once managed to trigger arguably the best NFL QB, Tom Brady, which backfired heavily on him on the field.
Travis Kelce once managed to make Tom Brady angry
Pre-game rituals hold a mystical significance by defining a player’s focus and mental preparation before the adrenaline of competition takes over. Brady also has a pre-game ritual that has gained attention over the years. However, one incident involving Travis Kelce sheds light on the unintended consequences of mocking such rituals.
The Chiefs star has recently shared a funny incident on the ‘New Heights’ podcast, recalling a situation where his attempt at playful banter during a playoff game inadvertently provoked the fiery competitive spirit of TB12. The Alpine F1 owner detailed how he mistakenly underestimated the impact of mimicking the California Cool’s pre-game ritual, which involves the iconic California Cool running up and down the sidelines, rallying himself and his teammates.
“What I did wasn’t necessarily bulletin board material, but I barked up the wrong tree one time. [It was a] playoff game against Tom Brady. Tom Brady runs down to the other side of the field and gets everybody hyped during pre-game warm-ups”, he said via SportsKeeda.
As Kelce recounted, Tom Terrific swiftly transitioned from a cheerful interaction with fans to a laser-focused, determined stare directed at him. Recognizing his misstep, he acknowledged the intensity Brady brings to the offensive side and had a fear that the QB would smash the Chiefs defense.
“And I could see him go from getting hyped with fans to looking at me and just, like, turning that switch on. Like, ‘Who the f–k is this young dude mocking me right now?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, s–t. Hope I didn’t just create a beast for the defense.’ I just poked the bear.”
The veteran conceded that TB12 was not the adversary one would wish to provoke, especially in a high-stakes NFL playoff game. He was not wrong either, as the whole NFL world knows how the sweet Brady used to turn into a beast when he entered the field.
Jason Kelce speaks on Tom Brady yelling at his offensive line
After parting ways with the Patriots, Brady brought a Super Bowl to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his debut year. However, his last season with the franchise was not very notable. Back in 2022, Brady was caught expressing visible frustration towards his offensive line. In the video, the signal-caller could be seen scolding his O-line saying, “you’re so much better than the way you’re playing.”
Following the incident, Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce delved into this topic on the “New Heights” podcast, shedding light on the delicate relationship between quarterbacks and offensive linemen. He openly acknowledged the challenge of being in the trenches and the complexities that arise when signal-callers get embroiled in the dynamics of the O-line.
“Listen, he’s Tom Brady. I can’t say nothing. Tom yells at me, I’m probably not gonna say nothing, neither. But playing O-line is hard, and if there’s one thing I do not like, it is quarterbacks getting into offensive linemen.”
The Philly star provided a vivid depiction of the frustration linemen feel under pressure. He said quarterbacks are shielded by rules that protect them from direct hits, while offensive linemen have to struggle to navigate the physicality of the game.
“I am doing the best I can, brother! Get the f… up out of my face! I will put you in that trash can over there if you don’t shut the f… up. The last thing I want is a motherf…er that can’t get hit or it’s called roughing the passer to come up to me and tell me how to f…ing wrestle somebody every play. Get the f… out of here”, he continued.
While Jason had a strong emotional response to such interference, he also recognized that experienced quarterbacks like Brady have the right to voice their frustrations. He mentioned that TB12 has indeed “earned the privilege to express his frustration to his offensive line” because of his impressive history of achievements.
What’s your take on the competitive side of Tom Brady on the field?
