Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce landed back in Kansas City to accept the Polsinelli Sportsman of the Year honor at the Kansas City Sports Awards.
Kelce left early in the morning from Swift’s mansion in the beach town of Westerly to catch a flight to Missouri for the ceremony.
The tight end charmed the crowd during a sit-down interview as part of the festivities, generating plenty of laughs as he recounted various stories.
That included his recent catch from Patrick Mahomes – after the quarterback tossed the ball from behind his back to get to the Kelce after he ran the wrong route.
‘It was like slow motion, man. The ball was just there up for grabs. Sure enough, I was running the wrong route, but still got the first down.’
Travis Kelce accepted a Kansas City award for Sportsman of the Year on Tuesday night
Kelce was seen leaving Rhode Island on Monday morning – leaving girlfriend Taylor Swift’s mansion in the beach town of Westerly before hopping on this plane early
He continued to praise his quarterback, admiring his creativity when asked about any more passes that Mahomes may want to try.
‘Who knows what pass got up in his sleeve? He didn’t go behind the back because everybody wanted him to. He’s on record saying that he’s only going to do it when he needs to do it. You know what I mean? When it has to be done.
‘I think that’s what’s fun about playing with him is that he just naturally is just an unbelievable player to be able to do stuff like that and so confident. You never know what happens.
Kelce added, ‘I would say the most creative of the bunch is Andy Reid. The more stuff that Coach Reid lets us do, the more you will see out there on the field.’
The tight end also opened up on the opportunities he’s gotten off the field and how those have impacted his life both currently and in the future.
‘Some of this stuff I can’t even fathom. Doing SNL two years ago I had no idea that opportunity would even come across. I think it’s really just taking advantage of the opportunities that are at hand and not having a set in stone end for yourself.
‘Just kinda being curious and being adventurous in different career fields knowing that football is going to end for everyone except for [assistant coach Steve Spagnuolo].’
Kelce then thanked the Kansas City community for all that they’ve done and shared his appreciation of them.
‘Thank you guys for everything you do in this community. I’ve been here 12 years. I love the support.
‘That’s why I came out tonight to make sure you guys see the face of the people that love you guys just as much as you love them. So I appreciate you guys.’
Kelce was back in Kansas City after spending some time in the Ocean State enjoying the company of Swift and actress Blake Lively.
Images obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Travis boarding the plane and shaking hands with airport staff, before security followed him carrying his bag for the weekend.
Donning a white baseball cap and sweater the star attempted to keep a low profile with cars blocking the view to the plane, before starting the two-hour trip back to Kansas City alone, leaving the ‘Fortnight’ singer alone with her friends.
He climbed the stairs to the Dassault Falcon jet – the same type as his girlfriends – at midnight, giving him several hours before his appearance at the awards.
