It’s fair to say Travis Kelce has had quite the year, and on Sunday night 2023 got even better for the Kansas City Chiefs star.
Kelce etched his name into the history books by reaching the 11,000-yard mark in just his 154th game for Kansas City against the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the second quarter of Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium, the Chiefs tight end took a 27-yard catch which saw him pass the milestone and set an NFL record in the process.
He is the fastest tight end in history to record 11,000 career yards after doing so in just 154 games – surpassing Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez’s previous record of 191 games – as well as the only player in Chiefs history to do so.
And when Kansas City dedicated a post on Instagram to his record-breaking achievement, Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift gave her seal of approval by liking it.
Travis Kelce became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 11,000 yards on Sunday – and Taylor Swift gave her seal of approval
Swift liked a post on Instagram dedicated to Kelce after his record-breaking achievement
By taking a catch against the Raiders and reaching 11,000 yards in 154 games, Kelce became the fastest tight end in NFL history and the only Chiefs player ever to pass the landmark
Swift is currently out in South America on the latest leg of her worldwide Eras Tour
The 34-year-old has dominated headlines in recent months amid his romance with Swift, who has attended a number of Chiefs fixtures since the pair went public with their relationship.
She is currently out in South America on the latest leg of her worldwide Eras Tour, with her last show of 2023 taking place in Brazil on Sunday night.
Kelce’s historic evening was not in vain as the Chiefs successfully bounced back from last week’s defeat by the Eagles in a 31-17 victory over the Raiders.
Patrick Mahomes passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns and Isiah Pacheco ran for a pair of scores as the visitors secured their first win on the road since an October 8 victory at the Minnesota Vikings.
Trailing 14-0 in the second quarter on the heels of Monday night’s loss to Philadelphia, Kansas City responded with 21 straight points to regain the advantage.
Mahomes shined throughout. After starting the game 4-for-5 for 12 yards, he ended with a flourish and registered 27-for-34 through the air, finding Rice eight times for 107 yards and a score while connecting with Kelce for six catches and 91 yards.
Kelce, who has soared in fame over the past few months amid his romance with pop sensation Taylor Swift, only needed 15 yards to hit the 11,000 mark coming into the game.
He was already fourth on the all-time receiving yards list for tight ends and one of only four with more than 10,000 of them.
He is also in the top four in career receptions and receiving yards, holds the record for most 100-yard receiving games and is on the way to an eighth 1,000-yard season – with no other tight end recording more than four.
It has been an incredible year for the Chiefs star, who helped his team claim the Super Bowl back in February.
In recent months, however, he has made more headlines off the field than on it, with his profile spiraling ever since Swift confirmed rumors of the pair dating by turning up at his September 24 game against Chicago Bears.
Kelce only needed 15 yards to hit the 11,000 mark coming into the game against the Raiders
The 34-year-old has dominated headlines of late amid his romance with Taylor Swift
But Kelce is no stranger to fame, given he is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and a two-time Super Bowl winner. And according to OK Magazine, Swift is grateful of his patience with the attention that inevitably falls on them.
The publication quoted a source as saying: ‘He’s used to fans going crazy in football, so it’s not such a shock.
‘Taylor knows it’s a lot for anyone to handle, but Travis learned to manage it over the years with NFL fans and not let it affect him.
‘With Taylor’s ex Joe (Alwyn), she was so private. They’d never go outside and walk around together.
‘They just stayed at her Nashville compound or her Rhode Island house.
‘With Travis, she’s more free and able to share her full life and she loves it.’