“Smooth in How He Ran Routes”- Jerry Rice’s Influence Echoes in Travis Kelce’s Record-Breaking Performance

TE Travis Kelce has churned out a record-breaking performance that made him surpass legendary Jerry Rice. The 34-year-old looked unstoppable in the Divisional championship game against the Baltimore Ravens. The veteran player has now become a legend in himself and gave due credit to Jerry Rice as he learned by emulating the great of the game.

Travis Kelce had an almost perfect regular season and was selected for the pro-Bowl. The Chiefs lost their way a bit, but eventually, the Red Army picked up pace. In the postseason, the team is playing like champions. Hopping onto that champion mentality, #87 broke Jerry Rice’s long-term postseason catching record.

Travis Kelce idolizes Jerry Rice

Some time ago, Travis Kelce joined legendary Jerry Rice in a YouTube show ‘NBA on TNT’. Kelce acknowledged Rice’s presence and told us what he learned from the legend, “You just put me into the conversation with the other GOAT, man. I appreciate that. Jerry was smooth in how he ran routes. He never tipped his cap on what he was going to run next.” He further added, “It was a running league back when Jerry was playing so, you know, the box was full and you were really one-on-one outside. You put Jerry Rice one-on-one with anybody and that’s a tough cover right there.”

The Chiefs’ player further shed light on how he implements these learnings in his game, “For me, I just get lost in the sauce. I get lost in the madness in the middle of the field. I manipulate linebackers, I confuse safeties, and if they want to go man-to-man.” Travis Kelce then gave credit to his basketball skills, “that’s where my basketball skills come out of me, is in my route running. If you watch me, it’s like I’m crossing over, I’m hitting you with the in-and-out, but I never had the handles on the court, so I was just faking it ’til I make it, baby.”

The Two-time Super Bowl champion has shown the world that he is here to make his name in the league. And proving it once again, the TE finally broke another record by overtaking Jerry Rice.

Kelce surpasses legend WR Rice

Jerry Rice held the record for most postseason catches (151). The WR made many records in his 20-year-long illustrious career and his overall postseason stats are no joke. Now, Travis Kelce has beaten one of Rice’s postseason stats in the AFC Championship game against the Ravens.

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In his last game, TE Kelce ended two drives with TDs and won the game against the Bills. Against the Ravens, #87 made his 152nd catch that took him ahead of the Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. What’s next? He might break Jerry’s postseason receiving yards (2,245) too, if he gets to play one more postseason with a strong team.

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