Chiefs' Travis Kelce credits Andy Reid for seeing 'greatness'

Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce spoke with reporters on Tuesday about how head coach Andy Reid set needed expectations shortly after Kelce joined the Chiefs as a third-round pick during the 2013 NFL Draft. 

"He brought me into his office, and he let me know that the sense of urgency to play was right now," Kelce recalled of the first message delivered to him by Reid during their working relationship that began over a decade ago, per Steve Serby of the New York Post. "'I need you now. I need you to be a professional. I need you to grow up and be this guy that we think you can be.' That kind of set the tone of like, all right, he sees greatness. If he sees that, I would be silly not to exceed those expectations or at least meet those expectations that he has." 

As Jordan Dajani noted for CBS Sports, Reid joined the Chiefs in early 2013 months before the club took a flier on Kelce and after the tight end was suspended for his redshirt sophomore season at the University of Cincinnati due to a failed drug test related to partying ahead of the 2010 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. 

The Chiefs drafting Kelce worked out quite well for all involved, as he became a two-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer who will look to claim his third career championship ring this Sunday. 

New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski recently told West Wilson of Complex that Kelce is "the best receiving tight end" among the greatest all-time players to feature at the position. 

"I love him for it," Kelce said about the tough love he received from Reid years ago. "He helped me grow as a man, as an individual, both professionally and off the field. It’s just been fun growing in this offense and in this organization with him kind of being here from the jump." 

As of early Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Chiefs as two-point underdogs for Sunday's showdown with the San Francisco 49ers. That same outlet had Kelce fourth among the betting favorites at +1200 odds to claim Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors. 

Kelce could put GOAT TE discussions to bed for the foreseeable future if he hoists a pair of trophies at Allegiant Stadium.