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Who is Travis Kelce? Things to Know About the Kansas City Chiefs Tight End

Contrary to popular Swiftie opinions (and hilarious TikTok trends), Taylor Swift did not put Travis Kelce on the map. Since sweeping Swift off her feet and into his getaway car, Swifties have set the internet ablaze searching for the answer to this one question: who is Travis Kelce?

His skills on the field and his goofy charm off the field have made him a favorite among NFL fans—between helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl in 2020 to running his own charity, we're running down all the reasons Kelce has become the King of Taylor Swift's— and America's!—heart. 

His Teammates Gave Him a Nickname Fit For a God

His Teammates Gave Him a Nickname Fit For a God

Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs teammates refer to the tight end as "Zeus," and between his towering height (he's 6-foot-5!) and those muscles, it's no wonder why his teammates bestowed this title upon him. I'm sure his record-breaking skills had something to do with it too.

The nickname has become widely recognized among NFL fans and the sports community as a whole.

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He Has Some Interesting Relationship Dealbreakers...

He Has Some Interesting Relationship Dealbreakers...

As soon as Taylor Swift made her grand entrance to the Chiefs game in Kansas City, Swifties went to work researching her new beau and digging up old clips and interviews. During Kelce's appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, he revealed he had a few interesting relationship dealbreakers...

The tight end admitted to Andy Cohen that he considered "not putting out" by the third date a dealbreaker. He also confided it's a no-go if a woman isn't willing to go downtown...!

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He Starred On His Own Dating Reality Show, "Catching Kelce"

He Starred On His Own Dating Reality Show, "Catching Kelce"

Travis starred in a dating competition show on E! called Catching Kelce, and the premise was simple: Kelce got to look for love among a pool of 50 women, each representing a different U.S. state. The format was a nod to traditional dating reality shows like The Bachelor, with contestants vying for Kelce's affection via sports-themed challenges and hangouts with his famous buds (and brother). 

Despite Kelce's popularity and the show's initial buzz, the tight end himself has admitted it was a bit of a flop. His brief romance with the show's winner, Maya Benberry, fizzled out quickly after the cameras stopped rolling. But on the bright side, the Swifties have a new show to binge!

(Image Via E! Entertainment Television)

His Brother Plays in the NFL Too

His Brother Plays in the NFL Too

It's not often that you see siblings excel in the same field, let alone a highly competitive one like professional football. But that's exactly what the Kelce brothers have done. While Travis Kelce has garnered plenty of attention for his impressive career as a tight end, his older brother Jason has also made a name for himself in the NFL.

Jason has spent his entire professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and becoming a key leader on the team's offensive line. It's clear the Kelce brothers have exceptional skills when it comes to football and have undoubtedly made their family proud.

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He Played College Football for the University of Cincinnati

He Played College Football for the University of Cincinnati

Travis Kelce was born in Westlake, Ohio in 1989, and he had a passion for the game from a young age. He went on to play for the University of Cincinnati, where he quickly made a name for himself. He was not only named a First-Team All-Big East Conference selection; he also received the coveted College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year honor.

These accomplishments laid the foundation for his future success, and today, Kelce is recognized as one of the best tight ends in the game. 

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Kelce Broke Records at the 2020 Super Bowl

Kelce Broke Records at the 2020 Super Bowl

As one of the key players for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce was instrumental in their victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He caught six passes for 43 yards and scored his 16th career postseason touchdown, helping the Chiefs secure their first Super Bowl win in 50 years.

Kelce consistently moved the chains with crucial receptions throughout the game, and his performance in Super Bowl LIV solidified his status as one of the NFL's premier tight ends. He also broke the record for most postseason touchdown receptions in NFL history by a tight end, NBD.

Rob Carr/Staff/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Kelce is a Charitable Dude

Kelce is a Charitable Dude

Travis Kelce is well-known for his skills on the football field, but the Kansas City Chiefs tight end is also committed to using his platform for good. In 2020, Kelce founded the 87 & Running Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underserved children and families. The foundation's mission is to provide resources and support that will empower young people to reach their full potential.

From healthcare to mentorship programs and education initiatives, the 87 & Running Foundation is committed to making a difference in disadvantaged communities. Through partnerships, Kelce is committed to creating a brighter future for the youth and families the foundation serves. 

(Image via Instagram)

Kelce Has Made a Name for Himself in the Fashion World

Kelce Has Made a Name for Himself in the Fashion World

His bold and eye-catching outfits have brought Kelce even more attention off the field. His dapper and distinctive fashion choices not only garnered attention but have also led to various business opportunities in the fashion industry. 

And Kelce told Complex in 2021 that he doesn't have a stylist; those bold lewks are all his own. He went on to tell the mag, "I think the football world is starting to kind of come around to being that fashion-forward mentality. And our game days are 16, 17 weeks, now 18 weeks out of the year…It's almost like it's a red carpet every single week."

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Kelce is Pro-Vaccine

Kelce is Pro-Vaccine

Kelce added his voice to the chorus of celebrities and athletes endorsing the COVID vaccine with a recent ad for Pfizer. Given his massive platform, Kelce's endorsement carries weight and could help convince others who may be hesitant about getting vaccinated to take the leap.

As vaccine rollout continues to be a crucial part of the fight against COVID-19, Kelce's support of the vaccine serves as a positive example for his fans and followers. In the ad, he specifically endorses killing two birds with one stone by getting your annual flu shot along with the COVID booster.

(Image via Pfizer)

He Was Suspended in 2010 for Violating Team Rules

He Was Suspended in 2010 for Violating Team Rules

As Kelce candidly admitted on the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast, he got caught up in the party scene ahead of the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and failed a drug test. Kelce was subsequently kicked out of college.

However, this served as a wake-up call for Kelce, who recognized the need to change his ways and become more disciplined. "I partied a little too much down there, got hit with a drug test and from that point on, I realized I gotta tighten up."

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He Hosted Saturday Night Live (and TV Critics Loved His Performance)

He Hosted Saturday Night Live (and TV Critics Loved His Performance)

Travis Kelce joined a long list of NFL legends to host Saturday Night Live in March 2023. And surprisingly, TV critics hailed his comedic chops.

From one critic's review: "Kelce has a reputation for being sort of a goofball, and that served him well enough, even as the much tinier cast members spent the night blocking for him, to greater and lesser effectiveness."

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