“I truly mean that”: Travis Kelce reflects on a painful mistake and lasting lessons during emotional Chiefs reunion with Alex Smith

Travis Kelce has had a legendary career at Kansas City, but even at this stage of his career, he still looks back at the moments that shaped him. During a recent reunion with former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, Kelce opened up about a mistake that once haunted him and the lesson that followed.

On Mitch’s podcast. Kelce expressed how much the former Chiefs QB meant to him as a guide and praised him for being a big part of his life. Kelce then recalled a major error he made during a past game with the Giants and how Smith helped him develop discipline to not let mistakes lead to deterioration of one’s performance during games.

How one mistake and one response helped shape Kelce’s mindset

Kelce appeared alongside Smith on the Monday Mornings with Mitch podcast and began with a heartfelt message of gratitude. He said, “I wanted to get on here and ask a question, but first, say thank you for being such an instrumental part of my career. I truly mean that. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without learning how to be a pro from you. And not being afraid to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes and to stay positive…”


The conversation then turned to a game against the New York Giants that Kelce still remembers clearly. Given the chance to make a play on a trick call, Kelce chose the risky option, which led to a big. He recalled, “I remember a game in New York where you threw me the ball that I kind of gung ho’d the whole situation…Bonehead move. Interception, fourth quarter, game on the line. I just lost the game for the team in my mind.”

What followed left a lasting impression on Kelce, as instead of expressing frustration, Smith offered a unique perspective, as he states, “You come over to me as I’m hanging my head. You tap me on the chest, and you go, ‘Dude, just think of it like a punt. You’re playing field position.’” For Kelce, it became a lesson in resilience, and he further thanked Smith for instilling this important skill and discipline in him

Smith’s inspiring influence stretched beyond just mere wins and losses, as after overcoming a life-threatening leg injury late in his career, he managed to return for one more year before fully retiring in 2020. Moments and incredible feats like these explain why Smith’s impact on Kelce still resonates today.


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