CLEVELAND — Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce knew he had a lot to live up to when it was his turn to deliver a speech at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl Rally in downtown Kansas City Wednesday, and the veteran tight end did not disappoint.
Much like his older brother, Jason, did two years ago, Kelce gave a memorable address that drew loud choruses of cheers from the hundreds of thousands of fans that crowded around the famed World War I Museum and Memorial, which is just seven miles from the Chiefs’ gameday home, Arrowhead Stadium.
“I just want to say I love y’all,” Kelce said. “I love this team. Wooo. I’m wearing about half the beers I’ve been trying to drink, baby. It’s been a long time coming because what did we do? We had to ‘fight our right to party.’”
In a five-figure coat, Kelce took the stage wearing the custom heavyweight championship belt featuring one-of-a-kind Chiefs side plates sent to them by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. earlier this week. Never one to hide his own unique style, Kelce made sure everyone saw him wearing the title belt.
Then, Kelce thanked the members of the military who served in World War I.
“I don’t know if you can see this belt, but man, this belt has got something on it,” Kelce said. “It’s got the heavyweight champions of the world, baby. The heavyweight champions of the world.
“That memorial up there, I see everybody up there on the memorial. We’re representing in honor of every, single veteran that went to war for us in World War I, what’s good right in the heart of America, right here in the heart of America.”
Kelce continued by talking about the importance of bringing home the Super Bowl Championship not just for the Chiefs’ loyal legion of fans, but also, their coach, Andy Reid. Affectionately known as “Big Red,” Reid had been an NFL head coach for 21 years before hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
“Twenty-one years, that’s how long it’s been turning for my guy, Andy Reid,” Kelce said. “It’s just been turning and turning and turning, and what’d we do? What’d we do?
“We unleashed a can of whoop ass on everybody. Twenty-four to nothing, I ain’t trying to hear it. Down 10, I ain’t trying to hear it. Fourth quarter, six-and-whatever on the clock, down 10, pssshhhh. We’ve got Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, baby. How about Sammy Watkins? Woooo. How about Damien Williams? Woooo.”
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Kelce closed his speech the same way he did the on-field interview after the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium two-plus weeks ago, by quoting pioneering Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Famers, the Beastie Boys.
“This is the most beautiful scene I’ve ever witnessed in my life,” Kelce said. “I love this city to death. I promise you, from here to the end, I cherish every moment with y’all. I promise you, everybody feels the exact same way.
“‘You’ve got to fight for your right to party.’ I love y’all.”
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