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Travis Kelce’s Gesture Moments After Final Game
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- Travis Kelce’s Gesture Moments After Final Game
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had a bittersweet final game of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
The Chiefs lost 14-12 to the Las Vegas Raiders and finished with the worst record (6-11) they have had since Kelce was drafted by Kansas City in 2013. After winning three Super Bowls in the previous six seasons, Kelce and the Chiefs will miss the playoffs and get the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 36-year-old enters free agency with a potential retirement decision looming this offseason.
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On the bright side, Kelce finished the game with three receptions for 12 yards, enough to become the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach the milestone of 13,000 receiving yards. Injured quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted about Kelce after the historic career achievement.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after making a catch for a first down during the first half against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 25, 2025.Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Kelce's final walkout of the stadium in Las Vegas seemed to capture the mix of emotions. It was a far more somber occasion than when Kelce celebrated on the field with Taylor Swift after lifting the Lombardi Trophy for winning Super Bowl LVIII .
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It may have been the end of the final game of Kelce's impressive NFL career, but the gesture captured by Rob Collins of FOX4 Kansas City as Kelce entered the tunnel showed that the Chiefs star was intent on keeping a positive outward appearance. He threw up a shaka hand sign to the fans in Las Vegas, with his pinky and thumb extended.
According to Hawaiian travel writer Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi , the friendly shaka gesture has several common interpretations such as "Hang loose," "Right on," "Thank you," "Things are great" and "Take it easy."
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If that is what Kelce meant by the gesture, there are a lot of ways his message could be interpreted. He could be thanking the fans for showing up to the game on Sunday. It could be a reflection on his 13th NFL season. He could just be planning a trip to Hawaii so he can "take it easy" himself before making any big decisions about his future. It was more ambiguous than Kelce's other viral gestures in the final moments of Chiefs losses the past two seasons.
In regard to his possible retirement, Kelce previously said he will think about it once the season is over and would like to inform the Chiefs of his decision by March so they can adapt the team no matter what he decides.
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"It's one of those things where I'd like to make that decision before they have draft picks and free agency opens and they can go out there and fill the roster appropriately," Kelce said in November . "All of that will be after the season. I won't think about it until then."
"I've got so much love for this team, this organization and the people here," Kelce added after the Raiders game on Sunday. "I'll spend some time with them, go through exit meetings tomorrow and get close to the family and figure things out."
Related: Travis Kelce Off-Field Update Emerges Before Chiefs Game
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Related: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Reportedly Eying Wedding Date After Chiefs Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
