On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs fans watched in jubilation as Travis Kelce scored his 77th touchdown with the team – the most in franchise history – against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The moment was significant because of who Kelce ousted: fellow tight end and franchise icon Tony Gonzalez, a Hall of Famer who made 10 Pro Bowls in his 12-year stint with the team from 1997 to 2008. After scoring the record-breaking touchdown , Kelce imitated Gonzalez’s signature celebration by dunking the football over the crossbar.
Kelce drew a flag for the celebration, but a supportive Gonzalez did so already promised to pay the future Hall of Famer’s fine.
HOLIDAY TOUCHDOWN FOR TRAVIS pic.twitter.com/sqgtsd0r1K
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 25, 2024
Gonzalez also has a successful football career Californiaplayed three basketball seasons for the Golden Bears (he lost 23 points in the second round of the 1997 NCAA Tournament Villanova).
Kelce may not have the basketball pedigree of his predecessor, but now he has accomplished something that even the great Gonzalez never accomplished on the football field.