Travis Kelce is relishing another chance to play on Christmas Day as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to Arrowhead.
Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Co can cement their place atop the AFC West with victory on Monday.
It will be the Chiefs’ second meeting with the Raiders this season after Kansas City won 31-17 in Sin City last month.
Speaking on his ‘New Heights’ podcast alongside brother Jason, Kelce said he enjoys interrupting his holidays to get on the field.
‘I absolutely love it man. It’s magical. That’s one thing Christmas does – it brings people together and what better way to enjoy Christmas day than some football at Arrowhead baby?’ the tight end said.
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce (R) is relishing another chance to play on Christmas Day
It is the first time Kansas City has played on December 25 since the 2016 season, when the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 33-10 at Arrowhead.
‘I had a lot of family and friends in town for that one,’ Kelce recalled.
‘I remember it like it was yesterday: scoring that long touchdown, Tyreek Hill had a pretty big rushing touchdown as well and then you add (defensive tackle) Dontari Poe’s ‘Thick Six’ – throwing a touchdown to Demetrius Harris on the goalline on a fourth-down conversion.
‘A lot of fond memories of playing on Christmas and I’m really hoping I add to that collection of memories this Christmas.
The Raiders head to Arrowhead on the back of a record 63-21 victory over the Chargers. Las Vegas is now 6-8 and Kelce is expecting an ‘electric’ encounter against a team ‘riding high’ under interim head coach Antonio Pierce.
Kelce scored a touchdown as the Chiefs beat the Broncos on Christmas Day in 2016
‘Coach Pierce has those guys playing well – you don’t just put 63 points up by accident,’ Kelce added.
‘The defense put up a couple of defensive touchdowns, so we’ll definitely have a riled up group and who doesn’t love playing on Christmas?
‘That game is going to be electric. There’s a lot of people knowing their families are watching back home and we’re the first game on the tube that day.
‘So we’re fired up for it and know we’re going to have a big challenge before us. And we always like to say: it’s on us… we’re still working on being the best versions of ourselves on the field.’
