Travis Kelce Gives Unfiltered Explanation of Patrick Mahomes’ Behind-the-Back Pass

The most memorable play of the NFL preseason is without question Patrick Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass to tight end Travis Kelce in the Kansas City Chiefs 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions over 10 days ago.

While the play went for a first down, Mahomes admitted after the game he threw it to Kelce out of spite for not knowing what the play was, and Kelce took the blame and admitted his gaffe.

But on the newest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Kelce gave a more detailed explanation of events to his brother Jason, who pointed out the hilarity of what happened on the field and the greater appreciation for what went down now that he knew it was a broken play.

“That’s why we love playing with Pat Mahomes ladies and gentlemen: even when you f--- up, he makes you right,” Travis said . “…I had no idea [what the play was.] I felt Pat pull the football and start to roll out and I was literally just going to start to run that way and like, ‘Oh, he might need my help in blocking; he might need my help to be available’ so when I turned around, he was in mid, like behind-the-back pass like a sports card.

“It was just like slow motion and the ball was just floating to me. … Like I said, I screwed this one up. I did not look at coach Reid after this play. Sure enough, it was the perfect situation for him and all it takes is somebody to f--- it up.”

The play went viral moments after it happened.

The video, posted on the official X account of the NFL, had more than six million views, 32,000 likes and 1,700 bookmarks.