It is difficult for most sports fans to appreciate all-time great runs in the moment. That happened with the New England Patriots and their dynasty run. Now, the Kansas City Chiefs are feeling those same sentiments inside of their own dynastic stretch.
The Chiefs just became the first team in NFL history to get back to the Super Bowl after winning two straight titles in the prior two seasons. Entering Super Bowl LIX, Kansas City has never been more hated by fans. But for star tight end Travis Kelce, he is completely fine with that being the case.
You could argue that the Chiefs were even seen as the villains last year before Super Bowl LVIII. Patrick Mahomes talked about it before taking on the San Francisco 49ers. Mahomes talked about embracing that role and using it as something to become one of the greats.
The same talking point came up on this week's episode of the New Heights podcast with Travis Kelce and his brother Jason. Jason asked if Kansas City enjoyed being the villains. Travis answered quickly and said, "I love it. I love it."
"At one point in time, it wasn't that... I was the 'do you feel bad for 'em guys.' I'm enjoying doing this with the guys together," Travis says. "The guys that we have in there because it just makes us even more of a family. You just circle the wagons. People are saying whatever they want. You just band together and it makes you appreciate more of what you have because people want what you have."
If the three-peat chance was not enough, the Chiefs have been able to frustrate some fans every year because of their multiple playoff wins in almost every postseason run with Mahomes. Mahomes has reached the AFC Championship Game in all seven seasons in which he has been the starting quarterback. His first year of those seven was the only time he and Kansas City did not achieve multiple playoff wins in a single postseason run. Their current streak of six consecutive seasons with multiple playoff wins is an NFL record.
While becoming the villain can help players lock in, Kelce made most of his damage as a blocker in last week's AFC Championship Game. His mom was a big fan of his block on one of Mahomes' touchdown runs, as we heard during the on-field celebration after the game, via Inside the NFL. Kelce simply replied, "I'm trying to win a third one, mom."
Part of what has made the Chiefs villains is their ability to be so sound in situational football. But as we saw in the AFC title game this year, the little things from the star players, like Kelce's blocking, helped make the greatest difference. And by overcoming Buffalo, seemingly everyone on the team had a moment where they made an impact. Kansas City is quietly deeper for this upcoming Super Bowl in various parts of the roster, something that is not getting the national buzz it deserves. But once again, the new villains of the NFL are likely fine with that flying under the radar.