Chiefs Rookie Carson Steele Misses His Sister’s Wedding for His First Start in NFL: 'I Hope It Went Well'

Mar. 15, 2025

Carson Steele of the Kansas City Chiefs.Photo:AP Photo/John Bazemore

AP Photo/John Bazemore

Kansas City Chiefs rookieCarson Steelehad a good excuse for missing his sister’s wedding — getting his first start in the NFL.

Steele, 21, had 18 touches in theChiefs' victory over the Atlanta Falconson Sunday, Sept. 22 in Atlanta, Georgia, hundreds of miles away from where his sister Kesslar was getting married in Greenwood, Indiana.

The NFL newcomer — who was asked to be a groomsman in the ceremony — was awarded his first start for Kansas City afterIsiah Pachecosuffered an injury.

NBC’sSunday Night Footballbroadcast shared aclipfrom Kesslar’s wedding, where the Chiefs rookie’s friends and family were watching him take on the Falcons on a big screen from the reception.

When he was teasingly asked if he’d rather be on the football field or at his sister’s wedding, Steele laughed and said, “Man, I hate to say it, but uh, I’d be here every day of the week.” The rookie quickly added, “Love you Kesslar. I hope it went well.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Steele first learned that his game was being shown at the wedding, he emotionally told theKansas City Star,“Man, that’s just so cool.”

Carson Steele.Courtney Culbreath/Getty

Courtney Culbreath/Getty

He also spoke highly about his relationship with his sister, who Steele said he turns to when he needs emotional support in his rookie year. After fumbling in the Chiefs' week two matchup against the Bengals, Steele told theKansas City Starthat Kesslar helped him move past the confidence-shaking mistake even during the week leading up to her wedding.

“She had a crazy busy week, so we talked back and forth and she calmed me down about things,” he told the outlet, also sharing that his sister knew he would be unlikely to attend the ceremony — which she had planned two years prior when Steele was still in college — due to his obligations to the Chiefs.

Steele said he told his sister, “‘Hey, you can’t plan weddings in September when your brother plays in the NFL,’ " per theKansas City Star.“But obviously, she didn’t listen to me too well,” he added.

source: people.com