It’s hard to summarize the celebration of the Chiefs’ 25-22 Super Bowl win over the 49ers without mentioning Jason Kelce’s famous luchador mask, which appeared in various photos on social media.
But without realizing it, Kelsey was wearing the mask of Kansas City fan and eighth-grader Elijah Smith.
When Smith’s Dallas-based family contacted the seven-time Pro Bowler Friday morning to say the mask belonged to their son, Kelce responded.
“Operation ‘Recover Elijah’s Mask’ is underway.” Posted by Kelce on X.
“I’m grateful to everyone who brought this to my attention and I look forward to reuniting Elijah and Musk,” he added. “Your mask certainly brings great luck, I owe you a lot, it’s a shame that it was robbed.”
Smith explained that she gave Kelce a mask before the two took a photo together.
“Then I took a picture of him wearing it and spent five to 10 minutes next to them. They were dancing and stuff.” Smith told NBC..
The eighth-grade boy explained that he and his friends tried to follow Jason for masks, but the crowd was overwhelming and too loud to get his attention.
“I saw a video on Instagram this week of him wearing it to his next afterparty, so he obviously didn’t take it off all night,” he added.
On the latest episode of Kelce’s New Heights podcast, which he co-hosted with his brother, Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, Jason said the mask made the night even more memorable. .
In Jason’s version of the night, which differs from Smith’s version, the Eagles center said he found a mask on the floor at the Chiefs’ afterparty.
“There’s something about finding a luchador mask that really changes the night,” Kelce said. “It really happened. It was insane.”
Smith and his parents, Thad and Sarah, hope to keep the mask as a good sign for next season.
But Smith would like to get another autograph in return.
“He was happy. He was excited. There was so much celebration going on and dancing. And he couldn’t help but get excited,” Sarah Smith said. “When I got to the room, I asked him, ‘Wait, does he have your mask?’ And he said, ‘Yeah,’ and I said, ‘I’m upset. Do you have it?” And he wasn’t upset. I was a little disappointed because it was a mask signed by Trent McDuffie. It was upsetting, but at the end of the day, we were all celebrating a Super Bowl win. ”
Kelce was in attendance at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to cheer on Travis as he led Kansas City to its third Super Bowl appearance in the past five seasons.
