How Travis Kelce proved he's an elite leader during a tense moment in training camp
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has proved over the last several years to be an elite leader. Kelce is often seen on the sideline pumping up his teammates or encouraging the rookies. It's not uncommon to see Kelce be the first guy that goes over to a teammate after a bad play. It […]
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has proved over the last several years to be an elite leader.
Kelce is often seen on the sideline pumping up his teammates or encouraging the rookies. It's not uncommon to see Kelce be the first guy that goes over to a teammate after a bad play. It seems like he's always there to pick someone up.
This happens so often that Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has actually shown film to the team of Kelce taking time to talk teammates up on the sidelines — essentially using Kelce as an example of how teammates should treat each other.
One of the best examples of Kelce's elite leadership happened during a brutally hot training camp practice.
According to a story from The Athletic's Nate Taylor, Kelce ended a scuffle between teammates so effectively that Andy Reid didn't even have to address the situation.
In one of those practices in late August, frustration had finally reached the level to where the team had its first skirmish. A defensive lineman shoved an offensive lineman, who shoved back. A punch was thrown. Reid and Bieniemy didn’t budge. As the tension escalated, Kelce shouted as the two players were being separated.
“Don’t you ever f*cking swing at a teammate again!”
The commotion ended. Reid, who didn’t address the team at that moment because Kelce did, called for the next repetition, and the practice returned to its normal rhythm.
That's every coach's dream, right?
Kelce is such a great leader and has so much respect in the locker room that he didn't even have to physically intervene to stop the fight. The players listened. And the coaches were able to move on with the practice.
There are countless other stories of Kelce's incredible leadership. But I think that story perfectly embodies why Kelce is such a great player beyond just his abilities on the field.
Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
