KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Day after day in late February, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce kept saying the same thing, both to himself and those who wondered about his future -- people such as coach Andy Reid; quarterback Patrick Mahomes; receiver Rashee Rice; his brother, Jason, the former Philadelphia Eagles center; and even TV host Pat McAfee.
"I can't go out like that."
Those six words were the main motivation for everything Kelce has done since early March, and everything leading up to next week when the Chiefs start their season in São Paulo against the Los Angeles Chargers in what could be the final season of Kelce's illustrious NFL career.