Travis Kelce explains viral podium moment from White House visit
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was robbed of the opportunity to address the nation during his team’s Super Bowl LVII celebration at the White House on June 5.
Rather than risk a “loose cannon” moment from his teammate in front of President Joe Biden and co., Kelce’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, stepped in to stop it.
“Sorry, sorry,” Mahomes said as he escorted Kelce away from the microphone.
Appearing on a recent episode of the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Kelce revealed his plans if Mahomes would have never stepped in.
“Honestly, I joked around [about] doing it at the rehearsal,” Kelce said. “I’ve always wanted to just address the United States like a President would — ‘To my fellow Americans.’ And then I didn’t have anything after that. So I said ‘Hey, don’t leave me up there on the stand too long if I decide to walk up there.’ He [Mahomes] got me out of there before I could even f—— say anything. It was either that or secret service would’ve been on my ass.”
The visit was Kansas City’s first ever to the White House, despite being three-time Super Bowl champions. Visits to the White House hadn’t become commonplace when the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV, while the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Kansas City from making the visit after raising the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LIV.
President Biden praises Travis Kelce and Chiefs
Biden praised the Chiefs for their performance both on and off the football field.
“Most important, as much as these guys know about football, they know about life and how to use their platform to make a difference,” Biden said during the South Lawn ceremony, via CNN. “Speaking out for racial justice, honoring veterans as you do, supporting tutors and mentors for local schools – this is an organization that emphasizes community service and encourages players to create their own charitable organizations, which many have done, and it matters. You’re showing the power of one of the most elusive things in the world: Unity.”
As for that Mahomes guy, like the rest of those who watch him every game day, Biden is just as blown away from his rise to the best quarterback in the NFL.
“You got a young quarterback named Patrick – boy can play, man,” Biden said. “Two-time MVP, comeback king, the only player in history with a winning record when down by 10 points or more. We saw him play with that high ankle sprain – another legendary chapter in the story of one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, and I predict of any generation.”