Andy Reid praised Travis Kelce for outgrowing his ‘temper’ before Super Bowl outburst

Andy Reid may have spoken too soon.

The Kansas City Chiefs coach had praised Travis Kelce for outgrowing his “temper” in an interview aired hours before the tight end became irate and shoved Reid during the 2024 Super Bowl.

While recalling the year that he took on the position as head coach of the Chiefs — which was at the same time that Kelce was drafted into the team — Reid told Bill Cowher, “As a player, he has always been very good.”

“Now, he had a temper,” the 65-year-old pointed out. “So on the field, he would go off and do some crazy things.”

“He was a challenge early,” Reid, who has been the Chiefs’ coach since 2013, continued. “But he’s grown up right before our eyes. He’s always had that heart, that soft heart, but he had to just grow out of the other stuff, channel it properly.”

Andy Reid had praised Travis Kelce for “outgrowing” his temper on the field in an interview aired before the Super Bowl 2024. NFLonCBS/X “He’s always had that heart, that soft heart, but he had to just grow out of the other stuff, channel it properly,” he said of the tight end. NFLonCBS/X

The tight end, 34, seemingly went back to his old ways as he took out his anger on Reid after the Chiefs had fumbled a play during the first half of the game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Cameras caught the moment the athlete slammed into Reid before shouting angrily in his face, asking to be put in the game.

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Running back Jerick McKinnon was forced to drag Kelce away from Reid, who seemed unfazed by the burst of anger.

Despite Kelce landing in hot water with viewers, any hard feelings dissipated after the Chiefs beat the 49ers 25-22 in overtime.

However, during the game, Kelce lost his temper and shoved Reid for making him stay on the bench. Getty Images After the game, Reid laughed off the interaction. TNS

A source also told Page Six exclusively that there was no real animosity between the two following the incident.

“He’s just a passionate player and everyone’s on edge. It’s the Super Bowl! But there was no malintent,” the insider told us.

“He respects Coach Reid. It’s really just about the passion of the game. It wasn’t anything serious.”

Reid joked that Kelce was “testing my hip.” USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Reid even laughed off the incident during a post-game interview, saying, “He keeps me young.”

“He tested that hip out. He caught me off-balance,” he continued. “Normally I get him a little bit, but I didn’t have any feet under me.”

Reid also echoed our source’s information, telling reporters, “He loves to play the game and he loves to help his team win. It’s not a selfish thing. As much as he bumps into me, I get after him. We understand that.”

The Chiefs ended up winning the Super Bowl 2024 and Kelce celebrated by packing on the PDA with girlfriend Taylor Swift. REUTERS

As for Kelce, he dismissed any questions about the situation with his coach, telling ESPN, “I’m gonna keep it between us. I was just telling him how much I love him.”

Kelce went on to his team’s come-from-behind victory at a wild Las Vegas afterparty with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, and teammates.

The lovebirds couldn’t keep their hands — or lips — off each other as they hugged and kissed in the field before dancing the night away at the afterparty.