Travis Kelce has been dodging questions about his possible retirement all season, and he seems to be getting more and more creative with his responses to reporters.
During a press conference after the Kansas City Chiefs final home game of the season on Dec. 25, Kelce was asked if it had crossed his mind that Thursday night’s game could potentially be his last-ever game played at Arrowhead Stadium, and the 36-year-old athlete had the perfect answer to the question.
“No, the only time it ever crossed my mind was I was driving in the other day and I saw how much the Powerball was,” Kelce stated. “And I was like, ‘Man! If I could just win that. I wouldn’t have to work another day of my life.'”
Even though Kelce’s comment was clearly said in jest, fans on social media had some strong reactions to his mention of the Powerball jackpot, which was up to $1.8 billion at the time of the Dec. 24 drawing on Wednesday. (A single ticket sold in Arkansas ended up winning the jackpot.)
Plenty of users couldn’t help but point out that Kelce is already set to marry music superstar Taylor Swift, who reached billionaire status in 2023.
“He’s marrying his golden ticket lol” one user quipped on X (formerly Twitter) after watching the pre-game press conference.
Another user echoed, “I believe he may be marrying his power ball ticket!!”
“He’s so silly,” someone else wrote about the tight end, who already has an estimated net worth of $90 million in 2025.
“Saying that like his fiancĂ©e isnt a billionaire,” someone else pointed out.
Meanwhile, some people were critical of Kelce’s comment, including some users online who called his statement “tone deaf,” considering the NFL player already has quite a cushy financial situation.
“I hate when rich ppl talk about wanting to win the lottery,” one user lamented on X. “You’re already making hella money and you wish you had more millions?”
Others, however, defended Kelce, claiming his comment was nothing but a funny way of avoiding questions about his retirement.
“He obviously had that joke in his back pocket for when the reporters inevitably asked him about retirement…” one user theorized.
“He just said it as a deflection joke,” someone else added.
But Kelce did end up addressing the looming speculation about his possible retirement, as he told reporters during the same press conference, “Honestly, I’ve been just focused on trying to win football games, man.”
“I’ll let [retirement] be a decision I make with my family, friends and the Chiefs organization when the time comes.”
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.