When it came to the 2025 Super Bowl, Travis Kelce did not experience the calm before the storm.
It emerged that, prior to the Kansas City Chiefs’ defeat (22-40) against the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9th in New Orleans, their tight end was battling illness, as disclosed by the team’s General Manager Brett Veach.
Brett stated during a sneak peek at the next episode of The Insiders podcast, “We won’t be making excuses, but he had a significant health issue prior to the Super Bowl.
Although Brett acknowledged that Travis performing at his peak wouldn’t have changed the outcome given the Eagles’ performance, he implied that Travis remains promising for the NFL, contradicting speculations about his retirement.
He expressed that they expect Travis to return, adding that they are thrilled about his upcoming arrival, which is the basis of their off-season plans.
It appears that even though he had a disappointing game recently, Travis hasn’t allowed it to hinder his determination to maintain top form, given that he is in a relationship with Taylor Swift.
He mentioned that Travis appears to be eager to return, and he always manages to maintain his fitness while performing at a unique level that’s uniquely his.
Speaking further about Travis’ immense influence on the team, a Chiefs executive referred to him as “a valuable, hard-to-quantify presence in the locker room.” The executive then elaborated on his close bond with the team’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
He added during the podcast, “It’s clear that his bond with Pat is special as well. When he’s with us in the locker room and on the field, he elevates our game, and we can’t wait for his return.
How did Travis respond upon losing the crucial match? Clearly, his discontent was evident as he had previously secured the Vince Lombardi trophy for the last two years.
In his post-game interview, which was posted on X (previously known as Twitter), Travis expressed that they were pursued relentlessly by their opponents. It wasn’t just the offense, but every phase of the game that we struggled with. We couldn’t establish any momentum offensively.
He added, “There were many factors at play, no team loses like this without things taking a turn for the worse.” He also pointed out, “Despite our performances this season, we haven’t been playing poorly overall.
Patrick, on the other hand, turned his focus to the road ahead.
On February 9th, the quarterback expressed gratitude for all the love and encouragement from #ChiefsKingdom in a post. He acknowledged that he let everyone down recently, promising to keep working hard, learning, and improving. He also thanked God for every opportunity bestowed upon him and mentioned that they will bounce back.
For more about Travis Kelce and his journey to the NFL, keep reading.
Despite the strong connection Travis Kelce has with Kansas City, Missouri, it’s worth noting that he was raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, during his early years.
Instead of mentioning his alma mater, University of Cincinnati, the man identifies himself by shouting out his hometown during game broadcasts that feature player introductions.
Which, as you might guess, has irked some fellow alums.
Travis shared in 2019 that his time at the University of Cincinnati was valuable and close to his heart, but he also acknowledged that there were challenging periods during his time there. He mentioned that it was a tough phase, as he lost his scholarship and made some poor decisions. He joked that many people in the room might know someone from Cleveland Heights High School who has been in a similar situation, implying that he was one of those individuals who made questionable choices during his college years.
Beyond just being significant to him, he added, it was special to everyone residing here. The rich tapestry of this locale left a profound impact on him. Everything I accomplish is for this city. It might sound trite, but let me assure you, every action you witness from me when you see me celebrating in the end zone – that’s a tribute to Cleveland Heights, on your behalf.
2. About that revoked scholarship…
Following their unbeaten 2009 season, which culminated in a Big East championship, Travis was found to have used marijuana before the 2010 Sugar Bowl. This was due to overindulging during New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Orleans.
Beyond just sitting out the bowl game, he was suspended by the NCAA for the entire 2010 season, losing his scholarship in the process. With no housing or meals provided, he ended up moving into his brother Jason’s room (which was part of a house shared with some teammates) and secured employment as a telemarketer where he would ask call recipients if they had any thoughts about the Affordable Care Act.
They did, and Travis could not wait to get back on the field.
3. Travis had experience with hockey, baseball, and basketball before focusing on football; he even served as a quarterback in high school. Interestingly, he was recognized as a two-star QB prospect by Cincinnati, but later changed his position to tight end as part of the terms for his reinstatement to the team following his suspension.
Back when we were playing, we had an exceptional quarterback named Zach Collaros, but we also required assistance in both our running and passing attacks. After I was selected by the Chiefs in 2013, I discussed this with my coach, Butch Jones, who was coaching me at that time. He suggested we needed a tight end, and my abilities, agility, and determination seemed to align perfectly with what they were looking for, making it an ideal fit for me.
In 2017, when reminiscing about a less-than-stellar incident to GQ, he casually mentioned, “People have been saying all along that I’m more of a tight end, not a wide receiver.
4. The home located at 127 W. Nixon St., where Travis shared a room with Jason and other University of Cincinnati students, was frequently the location of boisterous parties involving a great deal of beer consumption.
Tom DeTemple shared with the New York Times before the 2024 Super Bowl that the brothers he knew from college loved to spend hours playing Nintendo 64. They would often drink beer and play, inventing their own drinking games as they played. He added that they were very skilled at this unusual combination.
5. And suffice it to say, Travis is extremely proud of being a Bearcat.
He shared with reporters before the 2023 Super Bowl that it was all centered on Cincinnati. In fact, he’s always felt a deep sense of pride for his roots at the University of Cincinnati. After long last, he received his diploma. Whenever possible, he tries to offer assistance and returns to the university when he can. He simply yearns to be amidst the players he once competed with, and all the individuals he encountered during his time there who have stood by him through life’s highs and lows.
When he found himself facing adversity from the NCAA, he remarked, “Those who were part of the university – players, coaches, staff – had faith in me to improve the situation and help myself. Their belief gave me a significant boost during that period.
10 years after I left college to join the draft, I finally graduated with my degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2022 – but it wasn’t until April 2024 that I got to walk across the stage during a surprise commencement ceremony! This special moment came right after Jason and I taped a live episode of New Heights at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena. As an avid fan, this incredible experience still feels surreal!
As the graduate drew near the dean for his well-wishing handshake, he had a can of beer in hand, and moments later, he drained it swiftly.
And Travis was going to graduate in 2022 but he missed his flight.
7. Due mainly to some problems off the field, Travis was chosen fifth among tight ends in the 2013 NFL Draft, being selected first in the third round by the Chiefs. Subsequently, coach Andy Reid, who had previously coached Jason in Philadelphia, requested that the older Kelce sibling endorse Travis.
Andy and Travis have three Super Bowl rings to show for Jason’s endorsement.
9. For quite some time now, I’ve made it a ritual to crank up Randy Newman’s “Burn On” before each of my games, even though his style may have evolved since then.
As a native of Cleveland’s east side, this tune has a special place in my heart. It takes me back to reminiscing about my family and reflecting on my journey in life, appreciating every step I’ve taken. I shared these thoughts during an interview on the NBC Sports podcast, PFT Live, back in 2017.
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 left with Kelce, who sounds like “Kel-see,” his name actually rhymes with “else.
Travis’ teammate Chris Jones dropped a surprising statement on Inside the NFL in January, saying “Freaking insane, isn’t it?”. This sentiment was echoed by the brothers when they discussed the matter with their father, Ed Kelce, during their New Heights podcast.
Jason wondered aloud, “What made you decide to change your name suddenly, and now we find ourselves as ‘Kel-see’? I can’t help but question why it seemed like our name was ‘Kel-see’ for the initial 24 years, and then another 27 years for me, 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, which Travis has consistently worn during his NFL career, honors Jason, born in the year 1987.
Travis shared with NFL Films before the 2023 Super Bowl, which pitted his Chiefs against Jason’s Eagles, that if there is a Kelce legacy in the NFL, it traces back to 1987, as that was the year their family’s football story began with the birth of this tall player.
11. For quite some time, Travis’ foundation and Running have been generous supporters of Operation Breakthrough, a learning center based in Kansas City. This nonprofit organization is one that Travis has collaborated with since his initial visit in 2015, where he read “The Cat in the Hat” to the children.
Yes, reader, he wore the hat.
Afterward, Travis made an investment in the Smart Lab and acquired a nearby old muffler workshop to facilitate expansion. This led to the establishment of their Ignition Lab, where young scholars transform old cars destined for the junkyard into functioning electric vehicles.
12. Travis and Jason affectionately refer to their New Heights audience members as “the 92% club,” inspired by Jason’s remark that a quarterback sneak play was successful approximately 92% of the time when only one yard is needed for a touchdown.
It seems that fans affectionately named themselves as “the 92 percenters” based on the podcast’s website, drawing a parallel between this title and their unique code or symbol of belonging, expressed through spoken language.
Who were the Kelce brothers to argue with that?
13. Travis is accompanied by three personal trainers – Alex Skacel, Andrew Spruill, and Laurence Justin Ng – and, as reported by The Athletic, one of them typically joins him on his travels to maintain his physical fitness for football throughout the entire year.
Alex, who happens to be a physical therapist too, remembered Travis expressing his desire to go for an evening jog, as he had attended numerous fashion shows throughout the week in Paris and felt he had skipped his workout for the day.
At midnight, the coach instructed the New York Times in April that we were performing sprints across the bridges over the river. Regardless of his location, he always carves out time to complete whatever tasks are necessary for him.
14. Travis’ longtime friend and personal chef, Kumar Ferguson, goes back to their days at Cleveland Heights, way back in the fourth grade.
In 2016, he was a part-time chef and a truck driver, when suddenly, Travis contacted him with an offer for an opportunity.
In 2023, Kumar expressed to Vanity Fair that the individual mentioned something along the lines of, “I’m committed to improving my diet significantly,” to which he responded, “Wow, let’s make it happen. A few days after that, I found myself in Kansas City.
He has taken care of various tasks, ranging from filling up Travis’ refrigerator to ensuring balanced meals are delivered at the Chiefs’ training center.
15. I can’t get enough of Travis’ iconic style! He recently shared on “New Heights” that he opted for a change last off-season, shaving his beard but keeping the walrus-inspired mustache as a tribute to Andy Reid’s signature look in 2023. Guess what? He’s planning to keep it up in 2024 too!
16. In April 2024, when Travis agreed to a two-year deal worth $34.25 million, he became the highest-earning tight end in the NFL for the first time during his professional career.
Which finally put an end to years of chatter about how much money he wasn’t making.
In 2023, Travis jokingly told Vanity Fair that his supervisors and representatives often remind him of his underpaid status. Whenever he expresses a desire for higher pay, they simply suggest he approach the Kansas City Chiefs about it instead.
However, as additional revenue streams became available to him, his focus shifted from the salary to the overall atmosphere or experience.
He stated, “The idea of a free market seems exciting until you find yourself in a competition where you don’t succeed. I enjoy triumphing, I appreciate my current circumstances.
Admittedly, witnessing other players’ substantial earnings can give you a slight pang, as it makes you wonder if you’re not getting a fair share. I can’t say for sure if I’d push harder if the reward matched my perceived value, but I do love coming to this place every day.
As someone who’s always had a passion for style, growing up in the vibrant fashion scene of Cleveland Heights has been quite an inspiration. Just picture it: my high school was like a runway every day! I reminisce about those days when sharing my fashion insights with Vanity Fair in 2023.
Therefore, by transforming the room into a walk-in closet, he could accommodate his high-end clothing collection and over 300 sneakers, including a set of size-13 Nike Air Mags which he purchased using a significant portion of his initial year’s earnings, even though they were a size too small for him.
Previously, during the early stages of his career, before there were so many shoe-related applications available, he used to purchase whatever size shoe he desired, regardless.
He’s deeply fond of both Nike shoes, which he endorses, and Chuck Taylors. The latter holds a special place in his heart as they evoke memories of the fictional baseball prodigy Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from The Sandlot.
18. Among his dozens of investments, Travis co-owns Ohio-brewed Garage Beer with Jason.
Travis expressed in a June statement that it’s well-known he enjoys having a few beers occasionally. He finds it thrilling, he added, to be the owner of Garage Beer and deeply engaged in creating top-notch light beer. For him, there’s nothing more unifying than an icy cold beer, and for him and Jason, that’s what beer represents – camaraderie, family, and good times.
19. We’re sensing a theme when it comes to Travis’ guilty pleasure TV choices.
In the past, it was known as “Gossip Girl”: “In truth, it’s fantastic,” he remarked on “New Heights”. “It’s essentially a New York high school series filled with plenty of drama and everyone spreading rumors or speaking negatively about one another.
His new favorite show? Peacock’s Emmy-winning backstab-a-ganza The Traitors.
20. As he enters his 12th season in the NFL at 35 years old, Travis has become increasingly candid about the physical strain that football imposes on the body.
However, he’s endured numerous setbacks from the very beginning, starting with a microfracture in his knee during his rookie season that led to the first of the ten operations he underwent throughout his career.
21. Travis openly discussed an unsuccessful endeavor on the show “New Heights,” where he spoke about his failed attempt to gift Taylor Swift a friendship bracelet containing his phone number during her Eras Tour stop in Kansas City.
After learning from reliable sources within her circle that Travis wished to meet with her, she reached out to him directly.
He shared with WSJ. Magazine that she clearly explained the situation to him, and he felt fortunate for being able to connect with her.
22. For as long as he can remember, French toast with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzles of syrup has been one of Travis’ preferred dessert choices.
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 “Good grief!” from the movie ‘Tommy Boy’.
He shared with WSJ. The Magazine that he had introduced Taylor to his love for the comedy styles of Farley, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell, explaining, “This is what I’m all about in terms of humor.
24. Following their AFC Championship victory against the Bengals in 2019, Travis excitedly shouted “You’ve got to fight for your right to party!” This inspired the Chiefs to play the Beastie Boys song of the same title after each home game touchdown at Arrowhead Stadium.
Brett Veach shared with ESPN in 2020 that Travis Kelce is like a power amplifier – it’s challenging to measure his true impact. He possesses an exceptional blend of character, charm, enthusiasm, and has the ability to draw others into his orbit. At our stadium, everyone knows and appreciates Travis Kelce. He not only lifts the spirits, focus, and concentration of those around him, but he also makes it enjoyable for everyone.
Brett Veach explained that Travis Kelce is like a source of extra energy – it’s tough to determine exactly how impactful he is. He has an inspiring personality, and his teammates enjoy being around him. At our stadium, everyone knows and likes Travis Kelce because he makes the environment more enjoyable while also helping people focus and concentrate better.
However, it was that lively host who introduced it into their lives, and although he confessed to not knowing all the lyrics of the 1986 hit at the time, it wasn’t until he was challenged to perform it alongside Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show in February 2023 that he learned them.
Regarding his choice of Taylor Swift’s music, Travis mentioned his top three favorites from May 2024 as “Blank Space,” “The Alchemy,” and “So High School.
Back in September, I inquired about it, but his response shifted to something rather intriguing: “Each and every one is my favorite.
26. Travis was compared favorably with Tony Gonzalez, a renowned tight end of the Chiefs who retired in 2013 following 17 seasons in the league, at an early stage.
In 2015, as discussions intensified about whether he could indeed exceed Tony’s accomplishments and the potential disappointment if he fell short, Travis chose to disregard the buzz.
As I shared with Complex, I set my own bars exceptionally high. My ambition is to achieve the most outstanding statistical performance a tight end has ever seen in the game.
September 29th was a day that left me absolutely ecstatic! I, a diehard Chiefs fan, witnessed history unfold before my very eyes as none other than Travis took the mantle of the team’s all-time leading receiver with his 917th incredible catch. Tony, you were great, but Travis has surpassed you in a way that only true legends can!
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, an organization dating back to the ’60s, one of the original teams that persisted and now thrives. Much of their success can be attributed to their rich legacy and a man like Tony Gonzalez, who has been a guiding force for me. I have great affection for 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 someone special visit has given you an additional incentive to organize your life more effectively.
“He’s getting a little better,” Donna acknowledged. “I think he’s getting some help.”
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2025-02-26 20:18