Travis Kelce declares one NFL great an ‘absolute legend' with zero hesitation: Is he right?
As
Travis Kelce
prepares to enter his 13th
NFL
season, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar remains at the center of attention. With a Hall of Fame-worthy résumé that includes three Super Bowl rings, record-breaking stats, and unmatched consistency, Kelce's legacy is already cemented.
But even as he continues to redefine the tight end position, the 35-year-old didn't miss the chance to honor a trailblazer who helped shape the role he now dominates.
Travis Kelce hails
Antonio Gates
as a 'Legend'
While Kelce's own Hall of Fame induction may just be a matter of 'when,' not 'if,' the Chiefs icon recently turned his attention toward a player who paved the path before him—Antonio Gates.
On Thursday, the NFL reshared a touching moment showing Gates receiving his Hall of Fame door knock from fellow Chargers icon LaDainian Tomlinson.
The scene captured Gates overwhelmed with emotion, and the league captioned it as a moment he 'will remember forever.'
Kelce, moved by the tribute, commented simply but powerfully: 'Absolute legend!!'
The comment sparked widespread support from fans echoing Kelce's admiration. 'Forever changed the TE position,' one fan remarked. Others celebrated Gates' route-running, hands, and longevity. A user wrote, 'Well deserved.
Top 3 TE of all time,' while another reinforced, 'Top 3 TE of all time in my opinion.'
Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team, will be officially enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 2 in Canton, Ohio, alongside Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe.
Travis Kelce is quietly climbing his way to the Mount Rushmore of TEs
Currently ranked No. 4 on Athlon's list of the top 25 tight ends in NFL history, Travis Kelce's numbers tell a story of sustained excellence.
His 814 receptions in his first 10 seasons set an NFL record for tight ends. With 12,151 receiving yards, he stands third among all tight ends historically—just 141 yards short of surpassing former Steelers great and four-time All-Pro, Hines Ward. In addition, his 80 career touchdowns rank fifth among tight ends, according to Stat Muse.
Yet, while fans and analysts continue to push his case for the greatest of all time, Kelce has his sights not just on milestones but on legacy. The upcoming season could very well see him leap into the top three across multiple statistical categories. And with
Patrick Mahomes
still delivering darts in Kansas City, it's safe to assume Kelce's ceiling is far from reached.
FAQs
How many Super Bowl rings does Travis Kelce have?
Travis Kelce has won three Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs.
What NFL record does Kelce hold among tight ends?
Kelce holds the NFL record for most receptions by a tight end in their first 10 seasons, with 814 catches.
Why did Travis Kelce call Antonio Gates a legend?
Kelce praised Gates as an 'absolute legend' in response to the NFL sharing Gates' Hall of Fame door knock video.
Also Read:
Patrick Mahomes and co dragged into Andy Byron-Kristin Cabot scandal memefest and even die hard Chiefs fan could not stop but laughing
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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