Travis Kelce is first TE in NFL history to accomplish this rare feat; Patrick Mahomes breaks down TD pass

Travis Kelce further enhanced his case for the Hall of Fame with his historic performance Sunday night. Kelce became the first tight end in NFL history to have 100 receiving yards in a game, catch a touchdown pass, and throw a touchdown pass in a game.

Of course, Kelce accomplished the feat in the playoffs making the mark even more significant. He finished with five catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 42-21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, while throwing his first career touchdown pass to Byron Pringle early in the fourth quarter. 

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes motioned wide on the play, so Kelce took the snap and dictated where the pass was going. Even though Kelce was perfect on the night, Mahomes — who threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns — isn’t worried about his job security. 

“He slid in the pocket, he dropped his arm down and made a little sidearm throw. If it wouldn’t have scored, I would have been a little upset because I thought I was open in the flat,” Mahomes said. “But they told him not to throw me the ball, so I’ll have to talk to Coach (Andy) Reid about that and maybe be the second option there.”

Reid was a bit more critical of Kelce’s touchdown throw than Mahomes ones. Chalk that down as the coach in him rather than the execution of the play. 

“Well, his past record is terrible,” Reid said with a smile. “So, I was just looking for a completion, but we ended up with a touchdown. He struggled to get those before, but he sure did a nice job with that one. 

“It didn’t end up the way it was necessarily supposed to end up, but the touchdown was great. They played a little bit different look on him, but he hung with it and threw through some seams there and made a nice touch pass.”

Even without the touchdown pass, Kelce moved up the NFL postseason record books. He has 10 touchdown catches in the playoffs (the second most for a tight end in NFL history) and recorded his seventh career 100-yard game in the playoffs, which trails only Jerry Rice (eight) for the most in NFL history. Kelce also tied Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Brown for the most consecutive 100-yard receiving games in the postseason (four). 

Kelce made sure he was going to throw a touchdown pass with his mom in attendance, just hours after seeing brother Jason and the Philadelphia Eagles playing in the postseason earlier. His mom even joined in on the presser via Zoom, making the moment all the more special.

“Like I used to tell my Mom when I was 5 years old, I was eventually going to throw a touchdown in the National Football League,” Kelce said. “I finally got it done. It only took me nine years. 

“Mom. I’m glad I could put a smile on your face.”