Chiefs Emphasize Family Bonds at Screening of "The Kingdom"
Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, made a brief appearance on the red carpet at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for the screening of the ESPN docuseries "The Kingdom." Although he declined to participate in interviews, he paused twice to engage with fans and teammates.
One notable interaction occurred when 12-year-old social media influencer Taylen Biggs requested a selfie. Kelce admired a horse on her phone, saying, “I love that horse,” to which she responded with a grateful “thank you.” As he walked away, he encouraged her with, “You’re killing it.”
Kelce also interrupted an interview with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, exclaiming, “Best guy here, man! I’ll see you in there, Coach.” Their bond, forged over 13 years, resembles that of a father and son—a sentiment echoed by many players who regard Reid as a paternal figure.
“That’s a great compliment,” Reid remarked. “That might be the best compliment you could have.” The theme of family resonates throughout "The Kingdom," showcasing both on-field dynamics and personal lives, including Reid’s family and quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ journey into fatherhood.
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt expressed appreciation for how the docuseries captures the human aspects of those involved in the team's pursuit of a championship. “That’s one of the best parts about the documentary,” Hunt stated. “It shows the human side of so many people important to that three-peat last year—players and coaches alike.”
He continued, “We often forget they’re human beings, not just robots performing on Sundays. They’re amazing individuals.” Hunt emphasized that understanding these players’ backgrounds contributes to their success on the field.
Chiefs president Mark Donovan highlighted running back Kareem Hunt’s return to the team after a tumultuous past. Released in November 2018 due to an off-field incident, Hunt returned last season and played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX run.
“It was good, but it’s one of those things that’s never easy,” Hunt reflected on discussing his past. “I’m grateful to be back here and play ball again for the Chiefs. They did a great job putting my story together. I don’t ever like talking about it; I try to forget about it.”
While Kelce attended alongside Mahomes and defensive end George Karlaftis, his girlfriend was notably absent. Superstar singer Taylor Swift, however, is featured in the third episode of "The Kingdom." Donovan explained her inclusion as an authentic part of the Chiefs’ family.
“I don’t think we added Taylor to this,” Donovan said. “She’s an authentic member of the kingdom. She went to games, cheered, and was part of it. It would be foolish to ignore the biggest star in the world as she’s part of your family.”
He added, “We focused on being respectful and tasteful in doing that. She’s a superpower; when she walks in the room, you feel it. We’ve concentrated on keeping it normal for them, allowing her to be a fan and part of the Kingdom.”
