Travis Kelce Prioritizes Football Amidst Diverse Ventures

Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, stands at the intersection of sports and entertainment, yet he remains steadfast in his dedication to football. “Football is always going to be number 1,” he declared during a media session on June 18 at the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp. “I love this game. It’s still my childhood dream.”

At 35, Kelce contemplated retirement after a challenging 2024 season, which included a disappointing Super Bowl defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. As he prepares for his 13th NFL season, he reflects on his choice to continue pursuing his passion. “When I really thought about it, I got back to just wanting to really focus on this game and getting the most out of this game as I possibly can,” he explained. “This will always be number 1 in terms of my business world and my career path.”

Beyond the gridiron, Kelce cohosts the widely popular “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason. His ventures extend into entertainment, where he has appeared in Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie, executive produced the film My Dead Friend Zoe, and hosted the Prime Video series Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?. Additionally, he manages a diverse portfolio of business investments, charitable initiatives, and endorsements.

And then there’s his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift, which has garnered significant media attention. Balancing these various roles, Kelce emphasizes accountability: “No matter the opportunity in front of me, I need to remain accountable for the people I agree to team up with.”

On the field, Kelce feels a strong sense of unfinished business. Reflecting on the Super Bowl loss, he stated, “I didn’t feel like it was my last game. I feel like I have a lot more to prove and I have so much fun coming into the building.”

As the regular season approaches, the Chiefs are among the favorites to contend for the championship in the 2025-26 season. Having already secured three titles with Kansas City, Kelce is determined to add a fourth. “That’s the only way I determine whether [the season is] a success or not,” he asserted. “It’s how I’m wired now. Early on in my career I would set those goals for myself, and I just think it’s more of a genuine feeling and the right mentality to go out there and try to make the right play for my team.”

The Chiefs are set to kick off their 2025 preseason on Saturday, August 9, facing off against the Arizona Cardinals.