Travis Kelce has revealed that the Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to overlook him in the 2013 draft still fires him up whenever the two teams face each other.

‘They definitely completely just said “F*** you, Travis,’ he said this week, a decade after Cincinnati picked fellow tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round.

The 34-year-old had spent the previous four years in the Bengals’ ‘backyard’ at the University of Cincinnati. The Kansas City Chiefs eventually selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 draft.

On Sunday, the Bengals visit Arrowhead in the latest chapter of a rivalry that has caught fire over recent seasons.

The two teams have meet in the AFC Championship game in each of the last two seasons and Kelce said this week: ‘I think we made it a rivalry when we finally beat them last year.’

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals renew their rivalry on New Year’s Eve 

Kelce has opened up on the decision by the Bengals to overlook him in the 2013 NFL draft

But, speaking to brother Jason on their New Heights podcast, Kelce opened up on why this game has meant something to him for a decade. 

‘I look forward to playing them just because they’re the Cincinnati Bengals. I went to the University of Cincinnati and they picked a tight end over me in the draft,’ he said. 

‘I just always – not necessarily held it against them – but they definitely completely just said “F*** you, Travis” when they drafted the other tight end. You can’t tell me that they didn’t do that. I was sitting right back there in their backyard.’ 

Read Related Also: Viral Gen Alpha girl, 11, likened to Mean Girls villain Regina George

The Chiefs’ struggles against the Bengals – particularly in 2022 – has only intensified the rivalry for Kelce and Co. 

‘Losing to them three times in one full, 365-day year – that doesn’t sit with me very well either, especially with one of them coming in the AFC championship game,’ he continued.

The 34-year-old spent four years in the Bengals’ ‘backyard’ at the University of Cincinnati

‘They completely just said “F*** you, Travis” when they drafted the other tight end,’ Kelce said

‘I look forward to playing them – I respect the hell out of all those players and coaches they have. Going up against them, we’re very familiar with what they have going on. 

‘I know it’s going to be another big challenge for our offense and our team… luckily it’s a home game.’ 

The reigning Super Bowl champions have lost their last two games on home soil – to the Bills and the Raiders.

‘This time we actually have to get a f***ing win at home because the Chiefs Kingdom deserve that,’ he added.

‘What better way to end this year on the right foot than against a team that we know?’ Kelce added: ‘Just talking about it right now I’m fired up to get back into the office tomorrow.’