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Travis Kelce finally got his moment at the presidential podium Friday. To Patrick Mahomes’ relief, it didn’t last long.
One year ago, Mahomes pulled Kelce back from the podium as the Chiefs celebrated their Super Bowl championship at the White House. The star quarterback did not want to hear what his unpredictable tight end had to say outside one of the most secure buildings in the nation.
This time around, with Kansas City celebrating a second consecutive title, one of the only Americans with a bigger platform than Mahomes got the final say.
President Joe Biden invited Kelce up to the podium Friday to say a few words, and Kelce made sure to keep it to just a few words — for good reason.
Here’s a look at Kelce’s hilarious interaction with Biden during the Chiefs’ second White House visit in as many years.
MORE: Travis Kelce responds to Harrison Butker’s controversial speech
Travis Kelce speaks during Chiefs White House visit
If Kelce stuck his foot in his mouth at the White House, Biden would have only had himself to blame. And as Biden called the All-Pro tight end to the podium, he admitted he was a bit nervous about what would come out of Kelce’s mouth.
“I’d have Travis come up here, but God only knows what he’d say,” Biden said. He called him up anyway.
“My fellow Americans, nice to see you all yet again,” Kelce said. “I’m not going to lie, President Biden, they told me If I came up here I’d get tased, so I’m going to go back to my spot.”
Travis Kelce: “I’m not gonna lie, President Biden, they told me if I came up here I’d get tased, so I’m gonna go back to my spot.”
The Chiefs are at the White House.
🎥 @AriMeirov pic.twitter.com/aZQa5yHeb8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 31, 2024
“They” might refer to the Secret Service — or it might refer to Mahomes, who ushered Kelce away from the podium last year in fear of what the future Hall of Famer might say.
MORE: Chiefs defensive lineman faces animal cruelty charges
Just a few minutes later, Biden was decked out in Chiefs gear. Andy Reid gave him a full-sized Chiefs helmet, which Biden put on his head.
The #Chiefs presented Joe Biden with his own helmet, which the players wanted him to try on.
Biden initially tried to put it on while wearing his sunglasses, but then took them off and successfully got the helmet on his head.pic.twitter.com/DQ8WNAYdwn
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 31, 2024
The Chiefs are in the midst of a tumultuous offseason off the field, between a string of arrests headlined by wide receiver Rashee Rice and the recent controversy surrounding kicker Harrison Butker’s comments during a college commencement speech. Rice and Butker both attended Friday’s ceremony.
On the field, though, the Chiefs are expected to be as hungry as ever as they pursue the first three-peat in Super Bowl history. Kansas City loaded up at the wide receiver position by signing Marquise Brown and drafting Xavier Worthy. The team also brought back defensive anchor Chris Jones on a new contract.
Not all faces will be the same — CB L’Jarius Sneed was traded to Tennessee, while starting LB Willie Gay Jr. left in free agency — but the Chiefs looked Friday like a group comfortable with one another and feeling loose despite the negative headlines.