DENVER -- Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end, broke the franchise's record for most total touchdowns in team history with his 21-yard TD reception in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Kelce's 84th career score occurred early in the fourth quarter, which gave the Chiefs their first lead of the game. Facing a critical third-and-6 snap, quarterback Patrick Mahomes trusted the player has trusted the most throughout his nine-year career: his reliable tight end.
"He deserves it, the work he puts in every day," Mahomes said of Kelce's achievement. "He's a leader, man. It just speaks to the person that he is that he's able to go out there and break that record. That was a great play in a big moment in the game. That's when he usually makes his big plays."
Kelce's touchdown in the fourth turned out to be the final score of the game for the Chiefs, who lost on a last-second, 35-yard field goal by kicker Wil Lutz.
In the locker room after the game, a disappointed Kelce declined to answer questions from reporters. He did offer one statement before exiting the room.
"If you were going to ask me about the [franchise] record, I could care less about that right now," Kelce said.
Prior to Sunday, Kelce was tied with former running back Priest Holmes for the team record.
Kelce finished the game leading the Chiefs with nine receptions for 91 yards. Much of Kelce's production occurred after halftime when he recorded seven receptions for 77 yards. The rest of the Chiefs' pass catchers struggled, though. Mahomes' top three receivers -- Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown -- combined to record just one reception for 3 yards in the second half.
