In addition to being one of the best tight ends in NFL history, Travis Kelce also has a reputation for being a legendary teammate — just ask former Chiefs running back Charcandrick West.
West, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2014 to 2018, recalled how Kelce, 35, had his back when he was late getting back to the team hotel the night before a game. Per team guidelines, players are fined if they aren’t on the hotel premises in time.
While stuck in traffic, West, 33, called Kelce, who was already at the hotel and advised him to get there as quickly as he could. When West eventually got to the hotel, Kelce was there waiting outside for him.
“He didn’t want me to be the only one to get into trouble for being late,” West told ESPN in a story published Tuesday, January 21.
West recalled that the Chiefs failed to fine him for being late, which he chalked up to having Kelce by his side.
“I guess if you’re going to be late, you want to be late with Trav,” West said.
Kelce remembered the incident when asked to reflect on his good deed. “Sometimes you just need somebody to be there with you even if you feel like you’re doing something wrong,” Kelce told ESPN.
However, when asked whether he got fined for showing up late, his memory got fuzzy.
“I’ve been fined so many times for things that I can’t remember what they were for,” Kelce joked.
West also detailed a meaningful conversation between himself and Kelce after West lost a crucial fumble during his first NFL start in 2015 against the Minnesota Vikings.
“We sat and talked,” West said. “I told him, ‘I lost the game for us.’ I was really down about it. But he wouldn’t let me stay down. He told me that things like that happened to everyone. He told me I would help the Chiefs win a lot of games.”
The following week, West scored his first career touchdown in a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He was a big morale boost for me,” West said. “He made sure I didn’t lose confidence in myself. I don’t know what would have happened without Travis.”
Kelce and the Chiefs are currently on the hunt for their historic third consecutive Super Bowl title. They face off against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game airing on CBS Sunday, January 26, at 6:30 pm ET.