MINNEAPOLIS -- The NFL has a Gronkowski-sized void of partying tight ends that Chiefs pass-catcher Travis Kelce seems ready, willing and capable to fill.
The Kansas City star was caught at Monday night's NCAA championship game -- seemingly by choice -- chugging a beer on live television. And he did so all while his quarterback, 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, cheered on his alma mater Texas Tech in its eventual 85-77 defeat to Virginia.
Travis Kelce just pounding brews next to Mahomes. Embracing his inner Texas Tech. pic.twitter.com/iiWMPnGKfe
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 9, 2019
Kelce polished off the entire drink before cameras turned back to the court.
Kelce has no direct ties to Texas Tech -- he was there to support his gunslinging teammate Mahomes -- but that extra liquid courage should help ease the pain of the Red Raiders' devastating loss it must now deal with.
The chug that made Kelce the toast of the town did not go unnoticed by the watchful eyes of people on Twitter, who made quite the stir about the most viral moment of championship Monday.
I'm pretty sure Travis Kelce is playing a drinking game. They showed him on the big screen here in Minneapolis; he (and the lady next to him) started chugging his beer while looking at himself on the screen. Happy to say he finished it.
— Reid Forgrave (@ReidForgrave) April 9, 2019
Travis Kelce pounding beer during Mahomes' camera time is a new Final Four tradition we can all embrace.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 9, 2019
Please notice Travis Kelce in the background hammer a full beer 😂😂 https://t.co/C0Wy6Boyqd
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) April 9, 2019
The Patrick Mahomes - Travis Kelce (beer me) look is too good. #TexasTechMBB #UVABasketball pic.twitter.com/WxigpH2POG
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 9, 2019
Travis Kelce doesn't even know there's a game going on. pic.twitter.com/0bdCcCT34W
— Blake Birt (@blakebirt) April 7, 2019
This is the exact moment Patrick Mahomes realized that if Travis Kelce gets sloppy tonight, he’s his problem. #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/zjwKrnWmqT
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) April 7, 2019