Travis Kelce Gives Perfect Response to Haters for Slow Start Criticism Ahead of Chargers Showdown: “My Own Worst Critic”

When it comes to shutting down the haters, Travis Kelce’s got the playbook down pat. The Chiefs’ superstar tight end, who’s heard it all after a somewhat slower start this season, isn’t one to let the noise rattle him.

“We’re always constantly gonna get better,” Kelce stated during a media interview, brushing off the critics like a defender trying to cover him one-on-one. “This year, the stats may say something different, but I don’t care about that. I’m my own worst critic.” The three-time Super Bowl champ’s locked in on what really matters as the Chiefs gear up for their showdown against the Chargers. Yeah, the stats might not be as flashy as they used to be, but Kelce ain’t losing sleep over it.

So, how’s the star TE feeling heading into Year 12 with the KC team? Sports reporter and anchor Marleah Campbell dropped a nugget on X, quoting Kelce’s vibe: “I’m ready to rock, baby!” But let’s rewind a bit. Last season wasn’t all smooth sailing. Just before his 34th birthday, Kelce took a hit—a knee bruise kept him out of Week 1, and an ankle sprain soon followed, knocking him off balance. It was rough, but the Bearcats standout knows how to bounce back. By Jan, he was back to playing like the future Hall of Famer he is.

As the nine-time Pro Bowl TE gears up for another season, he ain’t reinventing the wheel. “I’ve caught a good routine and good groove of making sure I’m at peak athletic ability,” he said, ready to roll with whatever the season throws his way. It’s all about keeping his body right while still dominating on-field. And for those wondering if the Chiefs might ease up on his reps, Kelce’s response is as solid as his hands in the red zone: “No. And I probably wouldn’t listen to them if they did.”

As Travis Kelce gets ready to rock for Thursday’s game against the Chargers, he’s got one simple plan: keep getting better and let the critics talk. After all, when you’re your own worst critic, the rest’s just noise. And as he’s proven time and time again, Kelce’s not just playing the game; he’s redefining it—like he did during the 4th coldest football game.

Travis Kelce vs. the cold: Arrowhead’s arctic showdown

Travis Kelce’s faced a lot on-field, but last weekend’s game against Miami threw him a curveball of the icy kind. As he shared on his New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, this wasn’t just any cold—it was the fourth-coldest game in NFL history. Think -9 degrees by the final whistle (yep, you read that right!)

The 35-year-old didn’t mince words about the Arctic blast that hit Arrowhead Stadium. “You’re by the heaters, you’re in the locker room—then, when you go out on the field, the temperature just drops,” he recalled. “And you feel it in your hands, you feel it in your toes, your face.” But here’s the kicker: even HC Andy Reid’s mustache didn’t escape the freeze, turning into a frosty ‘stache as he barked out orders. Kelce? His mustache was practically freezing solid, too. “It was shocking how cold it was,” he said. Shocking is putting it mildly, Trav!

The windchill wasn’t just cold—it was straight-up disrespectful. Kelce described it as if the wind was too icy to even bother touching you, just sliding past like it had better things to do. For the first time, he found himself sprinting back to the heaters between plays like they were the end zone. “The heaters were really the only thing that made a difference,” he confessed.

But some of his teammates got a bit more…creative. One unnamed player, clearly not in the mood to lose toes, shoved hand warmers inside their cleats. The result? “Golf-sized blisters” on both feet. Ouch! 

And while Kelce was battling frostbite, his hot-flame Taylor Swift was cheering him on in style with a custom-made Chiefs jacket. Because when it’s -9 degrees, you either stay warm, stay stylish, or—if you’re Travis Kelce—somehow manage both while playing one of the toughest games of the season.