LAS VEGAS — Travis Kelce’s biggest impact during the first half of Super Bowl LVIII was on his coach.
He then made an impact on the field in the fourth quarter as the Chiefs rallied for victory.
Kelce lost his cool after being sent off the field in the second quarter.
He yelled at Chiefs coach Andy Reid and slammed into him with enough force to stagger Reid.
Running back Jerick McKinnon quickly grabbed Kelce.
After a 52-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes to Mecole Hardman brought the Chiefs to the 49ers’ own 9-yard line, Kelce became upset and left the field.
Reed called up a personnel package that didn’t include Kelce for the next play.
They gave the ball to Isaiah Pacheco, but he fumbled.
The 49ers got the ball back.
Reed said Kelce told him he would score if he put him in the game.
“I hit him as much as he hit me,” Reed said. “He threw me off balance.”
“I just told him how much I loved him,” Kelce said.
Afterward, Kelce hugged Reed, and Reed patted Kelce on the back.
It was a frustrating early game for Kelsey, who was at the center of Super Bowl week due to her relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Kelce had just one catch for 1 yard in the first half.
The 49ers have been physical with Kelce and played against him in numerous media appearances.
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Kelce made a 9-yard catch early in the third quarter, but was caught short of a first down, setting up a third-and-one from the Kansas City 11, and Pacheco was stuffed on third down, forcing a punt.
Kelce stepped up in the fourth quarter, catching passes of 16 and 13 yards on a drive after the 49ers took a 16-13 lead.
The Chiefs drove to the 4-yard line, but had to settle for a Harrison Butker field goal to tie the score at 16-16.
He had a massive 22-yard gain on third-and-7 on the final drive of regulation as the Chiefs tied the score at 19-19.
After a slow start, he ended up leading the Chiefs with 93 yards on nine catches.
“I stopped playing like Jabroni,” Kelce said.
Kelce now has three Super Bowl rings with Mahomes.
“There was no doubt in my mind,” Kelce said. “We knew when they had to kick a field goal, it was on us. We have the best quarterback in the league. We have the best offensive mind in the league. They have as much determination as any team in the NFL, and we saw it all today.”
Kelce spoke to his teammates Saturday night and they said he gave an emotional speech. What was his message?
“I mean we had a formula,” Kelce said. “We know how to get it. They didn’t.”
