Fuel for the fans
Patrick Mahomes never wasting an opportunity to poke fun at Travis Kelce, this time talking about traveling to Brazil this week 😂
“Explaining to him how the globe works”@KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/f1jcrmPH4I
— Katie Maher (@KatieKCTV5) August 31, 2025
But it hasn’t all been laughs. Travis Kelce stirred controversy a few months ago when he voiced discomfort about playing in humid weather near the equator. “If it’s humid, I’m going to be miserable,” he said on his podcast, New Heights. That comment sparked mixed reactions among Brazilian fans. His brother Jason stepped in to clarify that both siblings love international games, and Kelce later issued a public apology. He also emphasized that he’s genuinely excited to play in São Paulo.
Iconic faces
The NFL’s decision to have the Chiefs open the season in Brazil is no coincidence. According to NBC Sports, the 2024 season opener between the Eagles and Packers drew over 14 million viewers, confirming the league’s growing global appeal. Kansas City, with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as two of its most recognizable faces, is a strategic choice to strengthen that international presence.
The matchup against the Chargers also carries history. The teams have clashed 130 times, with the Chiefs winning 71 of those encounters. The most recent was in December 2024, when Patrick Mahomes threw for 210 yards and Travis Kelce hauled in five receptions in a tight 19-17 victory.
Between jokes, maps, and touchdowns, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce arrive in Brazil as ambassadors of an increasingly global NFL. And while one dominates the field and the other still gets lost on the map, both know exactly how to connect with fans—on and off the gridiron.