The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ tight finish Travis Kelce and his older brother — former Philadelphia Eagles heart Jason Kelce — host a weekly podcast referred to as “New Heights.” The title is an homage to the Cleveland Heights neighborhood wherein they grew up.
On this episode: Chiefs beginning proper guard Trey Smith joins the brothers to debate his journey to the NFL, what it’s prefer to play with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the outlook of rookie beginning left sort out Josh Simmons. Predictably, Travis and Jason kept away from asking Smith about his ongoing contract negotiations throughout the interview.
“New Heights” with Jason & Travis Kelce | Offered by Wondery | It’s also possible to hearken to the present on Spotify.
Let’s check out a number of the highlights from the episode:
1. Rookie left sort out Josh Simmons
In the event you’re a Chiefs fan, you’ve most likely been ready with bated breath to see rookie first-round draft choose Josh Simmons in motion.
Nicely, if Travis Kelce’s early response is any indication, the Chiefs might have landed the steal of the draft.
Throughout the podcast, Travis recounted going up in opposition to Simmons throughout observe when the rookie was filling in on the scout group.
“He was being a scout group defensive finish,” mentioned a wide-eyed Travis, “and I felt that man’s fingers seize me, and I used to be like, all proper, all proper…”
Smith confirmed the evaluation, noting that whereas he hadn’t met Simmons but, he’d already heard about his power.
“I simply heard that he’s so robust — like unbelievably robust. Clearly the expertise is there. I believe he’s going to be a fantastic asset to the group.”
However it was Jason who delivered the largest praise — and essentially the most motive for optimism — when he mentioned after watching Simmons’ tape:
“He’s the closest factor I’ve seen to a Trent Williams… that next-level power and athleticism.”
If that’s true, Kansas Metropolis is likely to be about to unleash one thing unstoppable.
2. Blood clots in school
Smith additionally opened up a couple of terrifying well being ordeal throughout his time at Tennessee. In his sophomore 12 months, he developed blood clots in his lungs — a situation that sidelined him for the season.
Though the group docs initially thought they’d resolved it, signs returned in his junior 12 months. That’s when Smith was despatched to the Cleveland Clinic, the place specialists found scar tissue in his lungs.
“I ended up going to a blood clotting specialist in North Carolina,” Smith mentioned. “He created a well being plan that had by no means been completed within the sport of soccer earlier than.”
The plan concerned taking blood thinners day by day, however stopping the treatment on Friday mornings so he might safely play on Saturdays.
“Meaning no observe, no contact, no coaching camp. I’d actually simply be vibing out doing cardio and watching movie.”
Smith is not on that routine, however credit it with saving his profession
3. Watching KC win Tremendous Bowl LIV
Smith shared a surreal story when requested about his first impressions of the Chiefs.
Because of former Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, he watched Kansas Metropolis win its first Tremendous Bowl in 50 years — stay from Miami.
“By way of the College of Tennessee, they despatched me down there to work the occasion, ushering folks round,” Smith defined. “Colquitt and his buddies discovered me and had been like ‘Nah, you’re coming with us.’ So I watched the sport with them.”
Quick ahead a few years, and issues got here full circle for Smith as he was the one on the sector serving to Kansas Metropolis hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
4. Taking part in with Patrick Mahomes
There’s all the time a “Welcome to the NFL” second for each rookie. For Smith, the hardest adjustment wasn’t the velocity or the dimensions. It was studying the way to block for Patrick Mahomes when he begins extending the play.
“It was a tricky transition out of school,” he mentioned. “I wasn’t used to somebody extending the performs like that. I struggled a lot with simply sustaining the block. (Offensive line) coach [Andy] Heck used to get on me daily about not letting the egg timer in your head go off.”
Clearly, Smith figured it out, so he’s now poised for a large payday as soon as he and the Chiefs attain a brand new contract settlement.
