Backstage Bombshells: From Travis Kelce’s Tears for a Rival to the Shocking 62 MPH Force of Patrick Mahomes’ Misguided Pass

The New Heights podcast, hosted by NFL superstar brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, has become an essential conduit, offering genuine, often hilarious, and sometimes deeply emotional insights into the lives of professional athletes. When the helmets come off, these gridiron heroes are revealed to be complex human beings grappling with fierce competition, profound respect, and the occasional—and very public—mistake.

In their latest podcast episode, listeners were treated to a multi-faceted view of the league: from the secret language of locker rooms and tearful tributes to opponents, to a candid assessment of the Chiefs’ recent inconsistencies. The stories of Patrick Mahomes’ terrifying, runaway throwing power and Travis Kelce’s emotional break while discussing a long-time rival proved once again that New Heights is not just entertainment, but a powerful forum for truth and feeling.

The Warrior’s Tears: Brotherhood and Respect Across the Line

Behind the brutal collisions and cutthroat competition of the NFL lies a deep, fundamental respect between players. This was never more evident than when Travis Kelce found himself choking up while discussing fellow tight end, Zach Ertz.

Ertz, the long-time veteran, had recently joined an exclusive club: becoming only the sixth tight end in NFL history to achieve 800 career receptions. This milestone places him alongside legends like Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, and Shannon Sharpe.

In discussing Ertz, a contemporary with whom he entered the league in 2013, Travis Kelce’s voice visibly cracked with emotion. He shared his journey alongside Ertz, seeing him “still fighting” after all these years: “Me and Z came in the league together back in 2013, and watching him still fight… I cherish every game I got to play with him, or against him, I swear!”

Travis’s momentary loss for words demonstrated that the NFL is a brutally unforgiving league where careers are fragile, and two peers standing on the precipice of greatness after more than a decade is a testament to extraordinary commitment. This depth of respect extends beyond teammates, reaching out to the greatest rivals who have, together, defined the modern tight end era.

The Code of Brotherhood: Acronyms and Buy-In

Early in the podcast, the Kelce brothers delved into the spirited culture of the NFL locker room, specifically the use of acronyms and slogans teams employ to unify their spirit.

Travis revealed that the Chiefs have several secret codes, including “AF” (Aggressive Fanatics) and “BAM” (Badass Motherf***er). He explained these acronyms are used so players can “say it without having to worry about getting fined.” More than just being funny, these slogans are strategic tools, often introduced by coaches like Andy Reid and Matt Nagy, to ensure the entire team “has the same understanding of how we’re going to work every single day.”

Jason Kelce chimed in, noting that these phrases often find their origins in military contexts (like the Navy Seals), where a single keyword can “get everybody back to the highest state of focus.” He referenced his own old college favorite, “DEFWU” (Don’t Ever F*** With Us), a phrase he loves for the sense of unbreakable unity it creates.

The discussion went beyond mere anecdotes, underscoring a vital philosophy: buy-in. Travis stressed, “That’s everybody buying in, everybody talking, everybody having that kind of mentality.” This unified mindset, he concluded, is the key ingredient for the Chiefs’ sustained success.

The “Killer” Throw: Mahomes’ 62 MPH Problem

One of the most bizarre and talked-about incidents following the Bills loss was the moment Patrick Mahomes, clearly overcome with frustration, unleashed a wildly off-target pass that violently struck a cameraman in the end zone.

The Kelce brothers recounted the event, confirming that the errant pass, which was intended for Travis Kelce, instead hit Justin Schwab, an NFL content reporter, square in the body. With Mahomes’ throwing speed previously clocked at a staggering 62 miles per hour, the impact sent the cameraman tumbling. While the reporter was confirmed to be “okay” by the NFL, the incident sparked a flurry of social media jokes, with fans dubbing the throw “attempted murder.”

This accidental injury, however humorous in retrospect, was symptomatic of Mahomes’ visible frustration. Following the loss, Mahomes had candidly and strictly self-assessed his performance: “We’ve had great moments, we’ve had bad moments. We have to be more consistent as a team, I have to be more consistent as a quarterback.” He emphasized the Chiefs need to “learn quickly” from this failure.

Mahomes’ public acknowledgement of inconsistency highlights the immense pressure on the Chiefs. While they managed a late score, Mahomes completed only 15 of 34 passes—an alarming statistic for a two-time MVP. The misfire that hit the cameraman, therefore, symbolizes the moment their legendary precision broke under stress.

The Shine of Human Spirit: Praise for an Injured Eagle

Shifting focus to his own team, Jason Kelce dedicated a significant portion of the podcast to celebrating the Eagles’ victory and, specifically, the immense respect shown to an injured player. He praised his teammate, Cam Jurgens, who suffered a serious ankle injury during the game but fought through the pain.

Jason described Jurgens as being “tough as nails” and the “epitome of an NFL player.” He used this moment to impart a deeper philosophy about the player-fan dynamic: “I try to tell young guys this all the time… If you just go out there and play with reckless abandon, you’ll be loved. I don’t want to hear [young players] say ‘they’re talking bad about me’… You control that. If you go out there with great energy and great effort, you will be loved in this sport.”

This sentiment from Jason—a fan favorite known for his own relentless effort—underscores the idea that genuine effort and demonstrable toughness will always earn the respect of fans, regardless of a player’s celebrity status.

The Eagles’ Resurgence and the New Heights Magic

Jason Kelce also offered high praise for the Eagles’ recent performance, specifically noting the breakthrough in their running game, which has subsequently unlocked the rest of their offense. He singled out backup center Brett Toth, who was thrust into a difficult situation but “did a great job” in the game. Jason stressed that Toth not only executed well technically but ensured the offensive line’s “calls” were correct—a critical role for a backup center.

Finally, the colossal elephant in the room was addressed: Taylor Swift’s monumental impact on New Heights. Jason Kelce spoke candidly about the podcast breaking viewership records after Taylor’s participation.

Jason admitted he felt “really bad” about the show potentially failing but was immensely relieved and grateful that “Taylor did a great job.” The most important takeaway, Jason emphasized, was the trust Taylor placed in them: “Her trusting us to come on our show, letting all that information out to the world, being that open—everybody kind of shared that same sentiment: that it was amazing to watch.”

Taylor Swift’s trust didn’t just help the Kelce brothers’ podcast smash records with over 24 million views on her episode; it solidified New Heights‘ position as a genuine and unique platform where stars can share their private lives beyond the glitz of the stage and the gridiron.

This episode confirms that while Travis Kelce faces physical and emotional challenges and the Chiefs fight for consistency, the foundation of family support, professional respect, and an unshakeable “warrior mentality” remains the core strength driving both brothers through the rigors of the NFL season.