28. Travis Kelce’s journey from a small-town kid to one of the NFL’s most dynamic tight ends is nothing short of inspiring. Born and raised in the heartland, this athletic prodigy has proven that dreams can become reality with hard work, determination, and a touch of pure Kansas City swagger.
Patrick Mahomes is ready to throw a Hail Mary when it comes to Travis Kelce‘s present.
In a conundrum, the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs found himself pondering over what present to give to his record-breaking tight end, who etched his name in NFL history on December 25th by setting the all-time receiving touchdown record for the team.
In the interview that was broadcasted on Netflix on Christmas Day, Patrick joked by saying, “He seems to have it all,” adding, “Perhaps he could benefit from some acting coaching.
That, of course, was a reference to Travis’ budding TV career after the 35-year-old made his acting debut in Ryan Murphy‘s FX series Grotesquerie earlier this year.
But according to the show’s creator, Travis doesn’t really need any acting advice.
According to Ryan, he’s a real star – that’s what he told TopMob News in September. He showed incredible dedication, and he embodies everything you could hope for. He leads with grace, and he’s incredibly kind and captivating. First on the set, always the last to go.
Additionally, it’s been shared that Taylor Swift has been extremely encouraging towards Travis in his acting pursuits, as reported by the Emmy-winning individual.
“If he has an interest, she wanted him to try it,” Ryan added. “I was thrilled about that.”
Likewise, Travis’ Grotesquerie costar Courtney B. Vance had nothing but praise.
“He was an absolute genius in preparation,” the actor raved, “and a wonderful, wonderful man.”
And castmate Raven Goodwin couldn’t help but agree, calling Travis “so gracious, so sweet.”
She pointed out that, given his determination, the athlete might excel in acting too, remarking, “After all, he’s none other than Travis Kelce.
In other words, is it likely that the main character in the upcoming movie will be played by Travis, who was featured in a trailer for Happy Gilmore 2?
He shared with TopMob in October that he’s receptive to any opportunity. However, it needs to be the appropriate circumstance with the ideal individuals involved.
To learn more about Travis off the field, keep reading.
Although Travis Kelce might always have a strong connection with Kansas City, Missouri, his roots lie in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he was raised.
Instead of mentioning his alma mater, University of Cincinnati, the man enthusiastically shouts out his hometown during live sports broadcasts featuring player introductions.
Which, as you might guess, has irked some fellow alums.
In 2019, when Jason Kelce and I were honored at the Cleveland Heights High School Hall of Fame, I expressed my gratitude for the time I spent at the University of Cincinnati, as it holds a special place in my heart. However, there was a period during my time there that wasn’t simple for me – it was challenging. I faced difficulties, including losing my scholarship and making some poor choices. I believe many people here can relate, as they might know someone from Heights who has made their fair share of mistakes. To my friends, I was that individual going through a tough phase.
Beyond just being significant to him, he added, this place up here held a special meaning for everyone. Its diversity was astonishing, stirring something within him. Everything he did was for this city. It may sound trite, but I assure you, everything I appear to do out there – whether it’s celebrating in the end zone – that’s a tribute to Cleveland Heights, for all of you.
2. About that revoked scholarship…
Following their unbeaten 2009 season with a Big East championship, Travis was found to have used marijuana prior to the 2010 Sugar Bowl. This resulted from overindulgence during New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Orleans.
Apart from forfeiting the bowl game, he faced severe consequences: The NCAA banned him from playing during the 2010 season, revoked his scholarship, and left him without a place to stay. To make ends meet, he resorted to living with his brother Jason (in his brother’s room in their shared house with teammates) and took on a job as a telemarketer, where he would ask people about their thoughts on the Affordable Care Act over the phone.
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, where he served as a high school quarterback. Notably, he was a two-star recruit for Cincinnati’s quarterback position, but later transitioned to tight end as part of his reinstatement deal following a suspension, when he was readmitted to the team.
Back in 2013 when I got drafted by the Chiefs, we had an excellent quarterback named Zach Collaros, but we required reinforcements both on the ground and through the air. So, I approached Coach Butch Jones, who was my coach then, and he suggested that we needed a tight end. Given my abilities, athleticism, and direction, it all matched perfectly for me.
In 2017, when he was discussing his less glorious moment with GQ, he expressed it as, “People have always seen me as more of a tight end rather than a wide receiver.
4. The house located on 127 West Nixon Street, where Travis shared a room with Jason and other Bearcats, was often the location of many mischievous activities fueled by beer.
Tom DeTemple, a college friend and teammate, shared with the New York Times prior to the 2024 Super Bowl that the brothers often spent hours enjoying Nintendo 64 games. Simultaneously, they’d clink beers and aggressively manipulate the controls. Their gaming sessions were frequently punctuated with impromptu drinking games, which they excelled at remarkably.
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 about Cincinnati for him. You see, he’s deeply proud of his roots at the University of Cincinnati. After long years, he finally received his degree. Whenever he can, he lends a helping hand to the university and enjoys reconnecting with teammates and friends made during that period. He still misses being surrounded by those players and the people who have stood by him through life’s highs and lows.
When he found himself facing criticism from the NCAA, he responded, “Those who were part of the university – players, coaches, staff – had faith in me to improve the situation and make progress personally. This belief was crucial for me during that period.
6 years post graduation from college, due to the draft, Travis finally received his interdisciplinary studies degree in 2022. However, he didn’t receive his diploma until April 2024, during an unexpected commencement ceremony that coincided with taping a live episode of New Heights at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena alongside Jason.
As the graduate drew near the dean for a congratulatory handshake, he was already clutching a can of beer. Immediately following the 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, going in the third round to the Chiefs, primarily because of his off-field issues. Following this, coach Andy Reid, who had previously coached Jason (Travis’ elder brother), requested Travis to endorse him.
Andy and Travis have three Super Bowl rings to show for Jason’s endorsement.
8. For quite some time, Travis would listen to “Burn On” by Randy Newman prior to each game of his, even though the type of music he gets hyped up by might 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 east side, this particular song transports him back to reminiscing about his family and reflecting on his life journey, feeling grateful for where he currently stands.
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.
As they went along, both he and Jason were accompanied by someone named Kelce, which sounds similar to “Kel-see” but actually rhymes with “else.
Travis’ teammate Chris Jones dropped a surprising revelation on Inside the NFL in January, saying “Crazy, right?”. This statement was later validated by the brothers when they discussed it with their father Ed Kelce on their New Heights podcast.
Jason wondered aloud, “What made you decide to change your name suddenly? I mean, we had our original names for 24 years in my case and 25 years in yours, Trav. Why the change now?
Ed admitted he “got tired of correcting people” but urged his son to “do whatever you want.”
10. Travis, who wears jersey number 87 during his NFL career, pays tribute to Jason, as he was born in the year 1987.
Travis clarified to NFL Films before the 2023 Super Bowl matchup between his Chiefs and Jason’s Eagles, if there is a Kelce legacy in the NFL, it stems from the birth of this larger-than-life figure in 1987.
Travis’ foundation and Running have consistently supported Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City learning center, since 2015, when the athlete first visited to read “The Cat in the Hat” to the kids.)
Yes, reader, he wore the hat.
Afterward, Travis put money into the Smart Lab of the program and purchased a nearby auto repair shop that used to be a muffler shop. This enabled them to broaden their horizons and establish the Ignition Lab, where young scholars transformed old cars that were heading towards the scrapyard into functioning electric vehicles instead.
12. Travis and Jason affectionately refer to their “New Heights” audience as “92%ers,” reminiscing on a time when Jason noted that a play called a quarterback sneak was successful approximately 92% of the time, only needing one yard for a touchdown to be scored.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I must share an intriguing tidbit I stumbled upon recently. Listeners of this particular podcast seem to have playfully dubbed themselves as the “92 percenters,” much like a private club’s symbol or password, only expressed through language.
Who were the Kelce brothers to argue with that?
13. Travis is accompanied by his three trainers – Alex Skacel, Andrew Spruill, and Laurence Justin Ng – who follow him everywhere, as reported by The Athletic. This trio helps him maintain his fitness for football throughout the entire year, ensuring he stays in top shape.
Alex, who happens to be a physical therapist as well, remembered Travis expressing his desire to take an evening jog following a busy day at Paris Fashion Week, where he had attended numerous shows. This was due to him missing his workout routine 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 manages to complete whatever tasks are necessary for him.
14. Travis’ longtime friend, Kumar Ferguson, who is also his personal chef, goes back to their days together in the fourth grade at Cleveland Heights.
In the year 2016, he was a part-time chef and held a job as a truck driver. That’s when Travis contacted him with an offer for something new.
In 2023, Kumar shared with Vanity Fair that he said something like, “Dude, I’m determined to elevate my diet and make a real commitment,” to which he responded, “Wow, let’s get started right away!” A few days later, he found himself in Kansas City.
He has taken care of a variety of tasks, ranging from filling Travis’ refrigerator to providing nutritious meals at the Chiefs’ training center.
15. Due to increased scrutiny on his facial hair, Travis shared on New Heights that he trimmed his off-season beard last year and maintained a mustache as a tribute to the walrus-style favored by Andy Reid, which he plans to replicate again in 2024.
16. In April 2024, I inked a two-year contract worth $34.25 million, marking the first time in my career that I held the title of highest-earning tight end in the NFL.
Which finally put an end to years of chatter about how much money he wasn’t making.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2023, Travis jokingly mentioned that his managers and agents frequently point out his underpayment. Whenever he brings up the subject of increased compensation, they respond by suggesting he approach the Kansas City Chiefs instead.
By that time, as multiple avenues for earning had become available for him, he found himself valuing the overall atmosphere or ‘vibe’ over the actual salary.
He clarified, “The free market seems exciting, but it only feels that way until you find yourself not coming out on top. I’m a big fan of success, and I enjoy my current circumstances.
Admittedly, watching other players receive large rewards can give you a pang of disappointment. It makes one question whether they’re being fairly compensated. I wonder if I were to really push myself, I’d achieve what I believe my value is. But I do enjoy coming to that place every day.
17. Growing up in Cleveland Heights, Travis developed an interest in clothing, as he described his high school as being like a daily fashion show to Vanity Fair in 2023.
Consequently, transforming the room into a walk-in closet became essential for him to store his high-end clothing collection and over 300 pairs of sneakers, including a set of Nike Air Mags (size 13), which he purchased using a significant chunk of his initial year’s earnings, despite them being slightly too small.
Previously, during the early stages of his career, before there were numerous sneaker apps available, he would acquire the shoe he desired based on the size he could find. (He shared this information with The Wall Street Journal.)
Even though Nike is his favorite brand, partly due to their sponsorship, he has a special affection for Converse Chuck Taylors as well. They bring back 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.
Travis expressed in a June statement that it’s common knowledge he enjoys having a few beers occasionally. So, being the owner of Garage Beer and deeply invested in creating top-notch light beer is thrilling for him! There’s nothing more effective at uniting people than an icy cold beer, and for Travis and Jason, that’s what beer represents – friends, family, and good times.
19. We’re sensing a theme when it comes to Travis’ guilty pleasure TV choices.
Previously, the popular show was known as “Gossip Girl”. As he put it on “New Heights”, it’s fantastic. It’s essentially a New York City high school series filled with lots of drama, where practically everyone is gossipping and saying unkind things 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 aged 35, has become more candid about the physical strain football imposes on a player’s body.
However, from the very beginning, he’s been steadfastly dealing with a series of setbacks. His first major one was a microfracture in his knee during his rookie year, which led to the first of the ten surgeries he has undergone throughout his professional career.
21. Travis openly discussed his unsuccessful effort to gift Taylor Swift a friendship bracelet containing his phone number during their encounter at the stop of her Eras Tour in Kansas City, as he chatted on the radio show New Heights.
Following rumors from those close to her who knew about Travis’s desire to meet her, she reached out to him directly.
In my own words, I shared that she clearly explained the situation to me, and it happened to be fortunate luck on my part that she decided to connect with me. (This was conveyed to WSJ. Magazine.)
22. For as long as he can remember, French toast smothered in whipped cream and drizzled with syrup has always 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 “Goodness gracious me!” from the movie ‘Tommy Boy’.
As I shared with Wall Street Journal Magazine, I enthusiastically expressed to Taylor my deep appreciation for the humor of Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell. I made it clear to her that this is a significant part of my world, and it’s something I wanted to share with her, just as one would share their favorite song, saying, “This is where my heart lies.
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!” and inspired the Chiefs to play the Beastie Boys song with the same title after every touchdown scored at Arrowhead Stadium following each home game.
2020 saw Chiefs general manager Brett Veach describe Travis Kelce as a sort of “energy amplifier,” which can be difficult to measure exactly how crucial that is. He exudes a unique blend of character, charm, and enthusiasm, drawing others into his orbit. At our stadium, everyone seems to be pals with Travis Kelce. He’s not just an energy booster; he lifts the spirits, concentration, and commitment of everyone around him. By day’s end, he remains entertaining.
However, it turned out that the exuberant host who introduced this tune into their lives, surprisingly, wasn’t familiar with all the lyrics from the 1986 hit song. This was only discovered when he was challenged to perform it alongside Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show in February 2023.
25. Regarding his favorites, Travis mentioned in May 2024 that he particularly enjoys the songs “Blank Space,” “The Alchemy,” and “So High School” by Taylor.
Inquired about it back in September, but by then, his response had shifted to, “I love them all equally – truly each and every one of them.
In my expert opinion, from the get-go, comparisons to the illustrious tight end, Tony Gonzalez of the Chiefs, who hung up his cleats in 2013 after a remarkable 17-season career, were not unwarranted for Travis.
In 2015, as discussions intensified about whether he could actually outperform Tony’s feats and the potential letdown if he fell short, Travis chose to disregard the commotion.
He shared with Complex, “There’s no one who sets higher standards for me than I do. My goal is to achieve the most statistically impressive season any tight end has seen in the history of the game.
September 29th marked a significant milestone for Travis as he took the lead from Tony, making him the Kansas City Chiefs’ record holder for most receptions with his 917th catch.
On “New Heights,” Travis remarked, “It’s amazing how things often return to their starting point.” Being at the pinnacle of the leaderboard with the Kansas City Chiefs, an organization that dates back to the ’60s and is one of the original teams still thriving, brings me full circle. A significant part of their success can be attributed to their rich history and a man like Tony Gonzalez, who has served as my mentor. 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 during her visit has given you an additional reason to tidy up and organize your place.
“He’s getting a little better,” Donna acknowledged. “I think he’s getting some help.”
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2024-12-26 22:19