Why did Andy Reid have to “yank” Travis Kelce out of practice? Chiefs coach reveals the surprising reason(Image via Getty Images)Travis Kelce may be 36 and entering his 14th NFL season, but the veteran tight end is showing no signs of easing up at Kansas City Chiefs training camp. Andy Reid revealed that coaches had to pull Kelce out of practice several times because he kept working at such a high pace that he needed a breather. The revelation offers a clear look at Kelce’s approach as he prepares for another demanding NFL season.Kelce already has an established place in Chiefs history, so there is little he needs to prove about his ability. However, his approach during camp has shown that he still wants to set the standard for the players around him. Reid’s comments also explain why the Chiefs coach sometimes had to step in and make Kelce leave the field, even when the veteran wanted to continue working.Andy Reid had to pull Travis Kelce out because he kept pushing himselfAndy Reid discussed Travis Kelce’s work ethic while speaking with reporters after Kansas City completed the training camp. The Chiefs coach was talking about veteran players setting an example when he pointed to Kelce as someone who continued to push himself despite being the oldest player on the roster.“You have examples like Kelce, he’s the oldest guy on the team and came out every day and worked to where you had to yank him out of there to give him a breather,” Reid said during his post-training-camp press conference.That explanation directly answers why Reid had to “yank” Kelce from practice. There was no indication that the coach pulled him because of poor performance or an injury. Instead, Kelce kept working through practice until Reid felt he needed to step away and recover.The reaction from linebacker Nick Bolton added another perspective. Bolton praised Kelce for continuing to run routes and compete with the younger players, saying, “There’s no excuses when you have the old guy out there running routes and stuff like that.” Bolton also said it had been “fun to watch” Kelce work.For Kelce, that effort has become part of his leadership role. Younger Chiefs players can see how seriously the veteran approaches preparation, even after more than a decade in the league. Reid's decision to pull him out shows that the coaching staff also wants to manage that enthusiasm carefully rather than let Kelce overdo his workload.Travis Kelce wants to lead the Chiefs by setting the exampleKelce’s approach fits with his larger role inside the Chiefs locker room. He has spoken about wanting to lead the team through his preparation and give younger players an example they can follow. His work at training camp has now given his teammates something tangible to point toward when discussing that leadership.The veteran tight end also enters the season with plenty of experience alongside Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. That familiarity gives him an important role as Kansas City prepares for another run, especially with younger players still developing around the established core.Reid praised both Kelce and Mahomes after camp and said he appreciated the work they put in. The coach also said Kansas City made progress during its preparation. For Kelce, however, the biggest challenge may not be finding the motivation to work. It may be convincing himself to step off the field when Reid believes he has done enough.The Chiefs will begin their regular season against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14. Until then, Kelce’s camp has already given Reid and his teammates a memorable example of his approach. At 36, he is still pushing hard enough that his own coach has to tell him when it is time to take a break.