‘You love the fire,’ Mahomes told media Wednesday
Patrick Mahomes isn't too concerned about a Super Bowl hangover and even suggested that things like Travis Kelce’s recent dustups on the practice field are proof that the Kansas City Chiefs still have their competitive edge heading into the 2023 season.
In a press conference following Wednesday’s training camp session, Mahomes addressed the Kelce incident when discussing the team’s mindset, suggesting that it's a sign of the team’s fighting spirit.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, and tight end Travis Kelce celebrate a win over Jacksonville in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
"I think we all have [the edge]. We have a lot of guys out here that are super-competitive, but it's about just doing it the right way," Mahomes said.
CHIEFS' TRAVIS KELCE THROWS PUNCH AT TEAMMATE AS TEMPERS FLARE DURING TRAINING CAMP
"Trav punching the guy, not necessarily the way you want to do it, but you love the fire. You love the fire on both sides of the ball trying to finish to the last second."
During Saturday’s session, Kelce threw a punch in the direction of backup linebacker Jack Cochrane after catching a touchdown pass from Mahomes. Cochrane tried to knock the ball out of Kelce's hands at the end of the play, prompting the scuffle.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce greets fans as he arrives prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri, July 28, 2023. (Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)
The two players were quickly separated.
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"That’s just the kind of guys we are," Mahomes continued on Wednesday. "We’re going to compete. We’re going to argue out there on the football field, and we’re going to love each other in the locker room because we’ve got a lot of dudes that are super competitive on this team."
Kelce’s incident on Saturday followed a shoving match with cornerback Dicaprio Bootle just a day earlier.
He later issued a statement on Twitter saying, "Gotta be a better teammate gotta be a better leader… plain and simple."
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells during his pregame celebration against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Mahomes is hoping the Chiefs can channel that energy onto the field when they open their season against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Reporter for Fox News Digital.
