Travis Kelce sends love to Tony Gonzalez after breaking his Chiefs franchise record

Kelce broke the record against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce has etched his name in franchise history once again.

During the Chiefs’ 17-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelce surpassed legendary Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez to claim the most receptions in team history.

Travis Kelce keeps making Chiefs history
Early in the second quarter, Kelce caught a 5-yard pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, pushing his career total to 917 receptions, officially breaking the record held by Gonzalez, who amassed 916 catches over 12 seasons with Kansas City.

Kelce, who turns 35 on Saturday, finished the game with a total of 922 career receptions, further solidifying his place as one of the greatest pass catchers in franchise history.

He also holds a Chiefs record of 11,486 receiving yards.

Reflecting on this milestone, Kelce paid tribute to Gonzalez, a player who has had a profound influence on his career.

On his podcast New Heights, Kelce acknowledged the full-circle nature of the achievement, stating, “It’s crazy how it all comes full circle, man. Not only being in conversations with Tony, but being at the top of the leaderboard with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been around since the 60s. And I just love Kansas City and the Chiefs and the opportunity that I’ve had here in KC.”

Kelce considers Tony Gonzalez as his mentor

Kelce expressed his deep admiration for Gonzalez, who not only set the standard for tight ends in Kansas City but has also served as a mentor and inspiration.

“A guy like Tony Gonzalez, who has been a mentor to me, he’s been right there, a lifeline if I ever needed it. I love the guy. He’s motivated me in ways that he doesn’t even know,” Kelce said.

The nine-time Pro Bowler was candid about the influence Gonzalez has had on his career.

“I’ve tried my entire career to match what he was to this organization, what he was to this game of football. And to be in conversations, not to say that I am as good as Tony, not to say that I’ve surpassed Tony, to be in a conversation as cool as this… it’s just an honor, man.”

Gonzalez, who played for the Chiefs from 1997 to 2008 before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons, is widely considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

His 1,325 career receptions rank him third all-time in the league, trailing only Jason Witten and Antonio Gates in tight end receptions.

Kelce took a moment to speak directly to his predecessor saying “Tony, I love you brother, and I can’t thank you enough for who you are as a person and who you’ve been in my career,”Kelce shared.