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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ed Easton Jr.

Chargers S Derwin James says Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is his top rival

The Kansas City Chiefs have led the AFC West for years, with the other three teams scrambling each offseason to try and overthrow the champions. The matchups have been fueled by Pro Bowl talent and close games, with everyone looking for the advantage before the start of the 2023 season.

Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James appeared on the season eight finale of “Cold As Balls” from LOL Network, created and hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart. During the show, James discusses going above and beyond to prepare for the rival Chiefs and calls Travis Kelce his top rival that everyone should study.

“Who are you going above and beyond to prepare for,” asked Hart, referring to the current NFL landscape.

James responded, “The team that just won the Super Bowl. I feel like everybody is coming to pay to watch number 87 (Travis Kelce) and number 3 (James),” said James with confidence understanding the competitive history between the stars.

James and Kelce had a memorable moment during the Chiefs’ Week 2 victory last season. James bodyslammed the All-Pro tight end after a late-game reception trending on social media throughout the night. Kelce joked about the viral moment during that week’s episode of the New Heights podcast.

“Well, it’s not my first time getting power bombed, but ya know, I turned, I made a cutback, and then all of a sudden, he is on me like lightning,” Travis explained. “I mean, he surprised the shit out of me. Lower man always wins and football when I felt him wrap his arms around my legs. I’m chuckling in my mind. I’m like, ‘This is not about to end well for me right now.’ I’m going up. What goes up must come down! The Body Slam was funny, but what was even more comical is the fact that he asked me after the play or after that drive he’s, like, ‘Bro, you good?’ What a great guy, man. What a great guy.”

The rivalry appears to still be strong between the AFC West stars as both teams prepare for the 2023 season.

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