CLEVELAND -- Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is always going to remember his 2018 homecoming game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
In front of 67,431 fans, Kelce, a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, turned seven catches into a game-best 99 yards and two touchdowns in helping the Chiefs (8-1) to a 37-21 victory over the Browns (2-6-1).
“It feels amazing,” Kelce said. “I was a kid that grew up right down the street in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, dreaming of one day being able to play in this stadium, in front of these fans.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s a cool feeling. Browns fans, I’m sorry we had to do it, but we’re about business over here in Kansas City. It’s fun playing with these guys in this locker room.”
Already in front of the Browns on a 50-yard touchdown pass from second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes to running back Kareem Hunt, a Willoughby South High School alum, the Chiefs built on their lead by going to Kelce.
On second-and-eight from the Cleveland 11-yard line, Mahomes took the snap, surveyed the field quickly and fired a pass through close coverage to Kelce on the right side of the formation.
Despite heavy pressure from Cleveland’s defense, Kelce, a sixth-year professional out of the University of Cincinnati, secured the catch and maintained possession all the way through the end of the play for his fifth receiving touchdown of the season.
The point-after conversion gave the Chiefs a 14-3 lead over the Browns with 13:30 to play in the first half.
“I couldn’t even count them,” Kelce said of the people he had at the game to watch him play. “I love every, single one of them for coming out and showing support and wearing the red 87 instead of their usual Brownies jerseys.”
With an 11-yard touchdown reception already to his credit against the Browns, Kelce caught a second scoring pass, this time from 13 yards out, to give the Chiefs a 28-15 lead with 10:53 to play in the third quarter.
On first-and-10 from the Cleveland 13-yard line, Mahomes took the snap, scanned down the field for an open receiver and muscled a throw toward Kelce on the right side of the formation.
Despite tight coverage from safety Jabrill Peppers, Mahomes put the ball over the shoulder of the second-year defender and Kelce was able to snare the catch five yards deep in the end zone for his sixth receiving score of the season.
“He did a great job,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I haven’t seen that since Mike Bartrum was playing for me. He did a nice job right there. A very nice job. A great job actually. Kelce has a great feel for the game. It’s not just running routes. There’s more to it for him. He’s very smart and a very smart player.”
Kelce was not the only Northeast Ohio native to have a good day for the Chiefs, as Hunt accounted for 141 yards and three touchdowns on 18 touches in the win over the Browns. And while Kelce was on the visiting side of things Sunday, he is proud to represent Cleveland wherever he plays.
“That just tells you the type of special place that lies here in Northeast Ohio,” Kelce said. “I give it my heart, man, I love it to death.”
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