Travis Kelce's Surprising Childhood Nickname Revealed!

Before he was in the NFL, Travis Kelce was in the NBA… sort of.

In a different phase of his life, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs would present himself in a unique manner, as shared by his sibling Jason Kelce. This distinctive introduction, according to him, was inspired by his beloved basketball player.

During an ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown pregame interview on January 18th, Jason mentioned that he had introduced himself as “Charles” to his entire neighborhood, explaining this was due to his admiration for basketball player Charles Barkley. This revelation was made at a block party, as other parents began referring to him as “Charles” when they saw him.

As a dedicated follower, I’d like to mention that both me and Travis, whose girlfriend Taylor Swift was present at the Chiefs’ triumph over the Houston Texans on January 18, were quite daring when it came to the snowfall in Cleveland. That’s the type of kid Travis is; he always lived up to his sports idols without a doubt.

It appears that nicknames are a common trend within the Kelce family. The ex-Philadelphia Eagles lineman, who has daughters Wyatt (age 5), Elliotte (age 3), and Bennett (22 months) with Kylie Kelce, recently disclosed the pet name he calls his expectant wife.

He revealed during an episode of the Good Mythical Morning podcast in December, he affectionately refers to her as Joe. This is because, while playing field hockey, she moved much like a young kangaroo, crouching low, reminiscent of the animal’s characteristic stance.

The 37-year-old went on to say, ‘I used to call her Joey, and eventually I settled on Joe. Those are the only nicknames I have.’

Regarding this matter, Kylie (the one who just suggested potential names for their fourth child) also offered her views on nicknames given by spouses.

In an episode, I was told he’s off-limits from using those terms, “Sweetie,” “Babe,” “Baby,” “Hun,” and “Honey.” These nicknames, you see, are reserved for use by a particular waitress in a diner in South Philly. It just comes across as confrontational in a way that’s not desired.

Moving forward, let’s uncover additional intriguing details about Charles Travis, who was once known by another name. Stay tuned!

Despite the strong bond Travis Kelce has with Kansas City, Missouri, it’s worth noting that his roots lie in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he spent his formative years.

Instead of mentioning his alma mater, University of Cincinnati, the man proudly proclaims his hometown during live game broadcasts when player introductions are made.

Which, as you might guess, has irked some fellow alums.

In 2019, Travis expressed that even though he greatly valued his time at the University of Cincinnati, it wasn’t always simple for him. He admitted it was challenging, and he made some poor decisions. He added that many people in the room likely knew someone from Cleveland Heights High School who had also done foolish things, and he acknowledged that he was that person among his friends.

Beyond just being significant to me personally, I’d like to emphasize that this place, the Heights, holds a unique charm for everyone who resides here. The vibrancy and diversity of this city stir something deep within me. Everything I undertake is driven by my unwavering dedication to this city. It might sound trite, but let me assure you, every action you witness from me – whether it’s a celebratory dance in the end zone or any other moment – that’s a piece of Cleveland Heights, dedicated to you.

2. About that revoked scholarship…

Following their unbeaten 2009 season, which concluded with a Big East championship, Travis was found to have used marijuana before the 2010 Sugar Bowl. This was due to his excessive celebrations on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans.

Besides forfeiting the bowl game, he faced a suspension by the NCAA for the entire 2010 season, lost his scholarship, and consequently found himself without housing. To make ends meet, he moved in with his brother Jason (sharing his room in their shared house with teammates), and took up a job as a telemarketer that required him to ask anyone who answered about their opinions on the Affordable Care Act.

They did, and Travis could not wait to get back on the field.

3. Prior to focusing on football, Travis had experience with hockey, baseball, and basketball. He served as a quarterback in high school, and even garnered two-star recruit status for Cincinnati in that position. However, due to certain circumstances following his suspension, he transitioned to the tight end role within the team.

In his conversation with Arrowhead Pride after being drafted by the Chiefs in 2013, Travis expressed that we had a fantastic quarterback in Zach Collaros at the time. However, our team required assistance in both the running and passing games. To address this need, I consulted my coach, Butch Jones, who was with us then. He suggested we needed a tight end, and since my abilities, athleticism, and direction matched well with the position, it turned out to be an ideal fit for me.

In 2017, during an interview with GQ, he expressed that people throughout his life had always considered him more of a tight end, not a shining star.

4. The home located on 127 W. Nixon St., which Travis shared with Jason and other University of Cincinnati students (Bearcats), was the site of many lively, beer-fueled antics.

Tom DeTemple shared with the New York Times prior to the 2024 Super Bowl that the brothers were fond of spending long hours on Nintendo 64, simultaneously pounding on the controls and downing beers. During these gaming sessions, they would devise impromptu drinking games and display remarkable skill in them.

5. And suffice it to say, Travis is extremely proud of being a Bearcat.

In a conversation prior to the 2023 Super Bowl, he expressed his deep connection to Cincinnati, telling reporters, “It’s all about Cincinnati for me.” He proudly represented the University of Cincinnati, having recently received his diploma. He often returns to the university and does what he can to support it. He longs to be around his former teammates and the people he met there who have stood by him through life’s highs and lows.

When he found himself in a tough spot with the NCAA, he said, “Those who were part of the university – the players, coaches, and staff – had faith in my ability to improve the situation and help myself. Their belief in me was incredibly important to me then.

6. It wasn’t until 2024, nearly a decade since his college graduation and enlistment in the draft, that Travis finally received his degree in interdisciplinary studies—an event that occurred during a surprise commencement ceremony, coinciding with them taping a live episode of New Heights at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena.

As the graduate walked up to shake hands with the dean, he was already clutching a beer can. Immediately following their handshake, he downed the beer.

And Travis was going to graduate in 2022 but he missed his flight.

7. Travis was selected fifth among tight ends in the 2013 NFL Draft, taken in the third round by the Chiefs, primarily because of his issues away from the field. Following this, coach Andy Reid, who had previously coached Jason, asked the older Kelce sibling to endorse Travis.

Andy and Travis have three Super Bowl rings to show for Jason’s endorsement.

8. For many years prior to each game, Travis would listen to the song “Burn On” by Randy Newman as his pre-game hype music, although the type of music he listens to may have evolved since then.

In a conversation on the NBC Sports podcast “PFT Live” in 2017, he shared that as a native of Cleveland’s eastern side, this particular song evokes memories of his family and prompts him to reflect on his life’s journey, expressing gratitude for where he is now.

Let us explain: It’s in the opening credits of Major League, the ultimate Cleveland sports movie.

9. Everyone, including Travis, is mispronouncing his last name.

Although they’ve recently left with Kelce, who sounds like “Kel-see”, it’s important to note that it actually rhymes with “else”.

Travis’ teammate Chris Jones dropped a surprising statement on Inside the NFL in January, saying “Isn’t that insane, right?” This claim was later corroborated when Travis and his brothers directly questioned their father Ed Kelce about it during their New Heights podcast episode.

Jason wondered aloud, “What made you decide to switch your name unexpectedly, and now we’re known as Kel-see? I can’t help but wonder why we thought our names were something else for the initial 24 years… or more specifically, for the past 27 years of my life, and 25 years for Trav.

Ed admitted he “got tired of correcting people” but urged his son to “do whatever you want.”

10. The jersey number 87 that Travis has consistently worn during his NFL career is a homage to Jason, who was born in the year 1987.

In a conversation with NFL Films prior to the 2023 Super Bowl where his Chiefs faced Jason’s Eagles, Travis put it this way: “If there is any Kelce legacy in the NFL, it stems from the birth of the two brothers making it to the league, which occurred in 1987.

11. For many years, Travis’ foundation and Running have been generous supporters of Operation Breakthrough, a nonprofit educational center situated in Kansas City. This athlete has collaborated with them since his initial visit in 2015 when he came to read “The Cat in the Hat” to the children.

Yes, reader, he wore the hat.

Afterwards, Travis decided to invest in the Smart Lab and purchase a nearby building, which used to be a muffler shop, enabling them to broaden their horizons and establish Ignition Lab. In this space, young scholars transform old cars that might have been scrapped into functioning electric vehicles.

As an ardent fan, I affectionately refer to myself as a “92%-er,” echoing the words of Travis and Jason who bestowed this title upon their listeners. It’s a nod to a time when Jason marveled that a quarterback sneak play succeeded “92 percent of the time” – a powerful reminder that even one success out of many attempts can lead to scoring the ultimate touchdown.

Listeners seemed to find great amusement and decidedly labeled themselves as the “Ninety-Two Percenters,” as suggested by the podcast’s website. This term appears to be their unique identifier, much like a secret handshake, but expressed verbally instead.

Who were the Kelce brothers to argue with that?

13. Travis is accompanied by three trainers – Alex Skacel, Andrew Spruill, and Laurence Justin Ng – who go with him wherever he travels. As reported by The Athletic, one of them consistently stays with him to maintain his fitness for football throughout the entire year.

Alex, who is additionally a physical therapist, reminisced about Travis expressing his desire for an evening jog following a day filled with Paris Fashion Week shows, as he hadn’t exercised that day and felt the urge to do so.

At midnight, the trainer explained to the New York Times in April, “We’re sprinting across the bridges over the river.” Regardless of his location, “he always makes time for completing whatever tasks are necessary.

14. Kumar Ferguson, who has been Travis’ friend since the fourth grade in Cleveland Heights, is his personal chef.

In 2016, he was a part-time chef while driving trucks, until Travis contacted him with an offer, which he received.

In 2023, Kumar expressed to Vanity Fair that the individual said something like, “I’m determined to elevate my diet,” to which Kumar responded along the lines of, “Wow, let’s make it happen. A few days later, I found myself in Kansas City.

He has taken care of various tasks, ranging from filling up Travis’ refrigerator to providing nutritious meals at the Chiefs’ training ground.

15. As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but scrutinize Travis’ facial hair like never before! In a recent episode of New Heights, he revealed that he parted ways with his off-season beard last year but kept the mustache as a tribute to Andy Reid’s iconic walrus look. Guess what? He’s planning to do it again in 2024, too!

In the spring of 2024, I, Travis, was fortunate to ink a two-year deal worth $34.25 million, marking my initial stint as the highest-earning tight end in the NFL. This significant milestone in my professional journey is a testament to years of hard work and dedication.

Which finally put an end to years of chatter about how much money he wasn’t making.

In a conversation with Vanity Fair in 2023, Travis joked that his managers and agents often remind him of his underpayment. Whenever he brings up the topic of increased pay, they respond by suggesting he approach the Chiefs about it instead.

However, as other avenues of earnings became available to him, his focus shifted from the salary to the overall atmosphere or ambiance.

He clarified, “The freedom of the market appears exciting, but it only feels that way until you find yourself not coming out on top. I enjoy success, I appreciate the position I currently hold.

As a lifestyle expert, I can relate when I witness others raking in substantial earnings. It does give you a slight pang, I must admit. It’s hard not to question if you’re being undervalued. truthfully, I wonder if I would see the same results if I fully leveraged my potential. Yet, I cherish the daily journey to that building and the experiences it brings me.

17. Since his childhood in Cleveland Heights, Travis has had a keen interest in fashion, as his high school was essentially a daily fashion show, according to what he shared with Vanity Fair in 2023.

Since he transformed his room into a walk-in wardrobe, it became ideal for storing his luxury clothes and over 300 varieties of sneakers, including a pair of Nike Air Mags (size 13), which he bought with a significant portion of his first year’s earnings, despite them being slightly too small for him.

In his early days, before there were so many sneaker apps available, he shared with the Wall Street Journal that he’d simply buy the size of the shoe he desired, regardless of fit.

Even though Nike is his primary choice (thanks to their endorsement deal with him), he has a soft spot for Chuck Taylors too, as they evoke memories of the character Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from the movie “The Sandlot“.

18. Among his dozens of investments, Travis co-owns Ohio-brewed Garage Beer with Jason.

In a June statement, Travis expressed that it’s common knowledge he enjoys having a few beers occasionally. He finds it thrilling to be the owner of Garage Beer and deeply engaged in crafting top-notch light brews. There’s nothing more effective at uniting people than an icy cold beer, and for Travis and Jason, that’s what beer represents – camaraderie, kinship, and joviality.

19. We’re sensing a theme when it comes to Travis’ guilty pleasure TV choices.

In the past, it was known as “Gossip Girl”: He expressed his admiration on “New Heights”, stating that it’s incredible. It’s essentially a TV series set in New York City high schools, filled with plenty of drama and people constantly gossiping and talking negatively about each other.

His new favorite show? Peacock’s Emmy-winning backstab-a-ganza The Traitors.

20. Recently, Travis, who’s in his 12th season in the NFL and is 35 years old, has become more candid about the physical strain the sport imposes on a player’s body.

However, he’s faced numerous challenges from the start, starting with a microfracture in his knee during his rookie season that led to the first of the ten operations he’s undergone throughout his career.

21. (As an excited fan) I’ve been bursting to share this, ever since Travis talked about it on “New Heights”. You know, the time he tried to give Taylor Swift a friendship bracelet with his number on it during the Eras Tour stop in Kansas City? That moment! Oh, the emotions that ran through me when I heard that story unfold!

Through word-of-mouth from those within her circle who were aware of Travis’s intentions, she reached out to him directly.

He said that she clearly explained the situation to him, and he felt fortunate for managing to get in touch with her. (WSJ. Magazine)

22. For as long as he can remember, Travis has had a special fondness for French toast, which he enjoys garnished with whipped cream and various syrups.

But more recently he’s become a fan of his girlfriend’s homemade Pop-Tarts and cinnamon rolls.

23. One of Travis’ phone tones features Chris Farley exclaiming “Goodness gracious me!” from the movie ‘Tommy Boy’.

He shared with WSJ. The Magazine that he had introduced his girlfriend to his love for the comedy of Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell, saying, “I made it clear: This is where I find my rhythm.

24. Following their victory in the AFC Championship against the Bengals in 2019, Travis exclaimed “You’ve got to fight for your right to party!”. In response, he motivated the Chiefs to play the Beastie Boys song with the same title after every touchdown scored at Arrowhead Stadium during their home games.

In 2020, Brett Veach, general manager of the Chiefs, explained to ESPN that Travis Kelce is essentially a multiplier of energy. It’s challenging to put into numbers how significant this trait is. He possesses a unique blend of character, charisma, and passion that draws people in. At our stadium, everyone knows Travis Kelce and appreciates him. He not only boosts the morale, focus, and attention of everyone around him but also manages to keep things enjoyable.

In essence, he’s a vital source of energy for the team, raising spirits and productivity while maintaining a fun atmosphere.

Back in February 2023, when I graced The Tonight Show stage alongside Jimmy Fallon, truth be told, I wasn’t fully versed in the lyrics of that iconic ’86 tune. However, the thrill and excitement of the moment transformed me into a swift word-learner!

25. Regarding his preferred tunes by Taylor Swift, in May 2024, Travis mentioned that he particularly enjoys “Blank Space”, “The Alchemy”, and “So High School”.

Inquired about it back in September, but when I asked again, his response was, “I love them all equally – every single one is my favorite.

26. As a fledgling player, I found myself often compared to the illustrious Travis Kelce’s predecessor at the Chiefs, Tony Gonzalez, who hung up his cleats in 2013 after an impressive 17-year career. The comparison started early for me.

In 2015, as discussions swirled around whether he might exceed Tony’s accomplishments and the potential letdown if he fell short, Travis chose to ignore such chatter.

In his conversation with Complex, he shared that he sets the highest standards for himself. He aspires to achieve the most outstanding statistical season any tight end has ever seen.

On September 29th, Travis took the lead as the Kansas City Chiefs’ record holder for most receptions, with his 917th catch surpassing Tony’s previous mark.

Travis remarked on New Heights, “It’s amazing how things often return to where they started.” Being at the pinnacle of the leaderboard with the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the original teams dating back to the ’60s, is a full-circle moment for me. Their continued success can be attributed to their long and illustrious history, as well as an influential figure like Tony Gonzalez who has been a guiding force in my career. I truly admire him.

27. Of Travis’ many accomplishments, keeping his house in order on his own isn’t one of them.

“He can’t clean,” mom Donna Kelce told Extra in September. “He can’t cook.”

Maybe having a special guest while they’re in the city has given you an additional reason to tidy up your affairs.

“He’s getting a little better,” Donna acknowledged. “I think he’s getting some help.”

2025-01-21 06:51

Travis Kelce’s Surprising Childhood Nickname Revealed!

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