Chiefs' Chenal Provides Further Detail on Pursuit of Kelce Memento

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Leo Chenal might be a starting strongside linebacker in the Chiefs’ defense but his football roots are on Travis Kelce’s side of the ball.

That might be why on a knee-jerk whim as an NFL rookie in 2022 – like a kid on the ropeline at a training-camp autograph session -- he asked Kelce for his jersey. The fut ure Hall of Famer initially promised to oblige, then forgot.

“He’s a special dude,” Chenal said after Wednesday’s practice, asked about the scene depicted in the new ESPN docuseries, The Kingdom. “When you talk about the greats but also being a great person, it’s an honor even being his teammate. And to call him a friend is pretty cool, too.

“And then having that memory that I’ll share with my family for generations to come is huge and something I’ll always look back and smile on.”

The memory

That memory came in Week 10 last year at Arrowhead Stadium. With one second on the fourth-quarter clock, Denver’s Wil Lutz lined up for a 35-yard walk-off field goal. Instead, Chenal collapsed the lef t side of the Broncos’ line and his 9¾-inch right paw preserved a 16-14 victory. Kansas City improved to 9-0 on the year.

And Chenal improved his confidence to take another shot at Kelce, three years after the first attempt.

“So, after the blocked kick,” Chenal said in the ESPN original docuseries, “I thought, ‘Now’s my opportunity. Maybe he’ll say yes this time.’ So, I walk up to him, I’m so nervous. I’m like, ‘Hey, man, I’m wondering; I made a big play. I’ve been waiting a couple years for this. Is there any way I can get that jersey, a signed jersey, now?’”

Kelce literally gave him the shirt off his back, grass stains included … and customized it.

“Leo!” Kelce wrote for Chenal on his white numeral 8. “My brother forever. One of the best on and off the gridiron! Love the way you come to work every day. Always grind!!”