Travis and Jason Kelce, two of the NFL's most recognizable brothers, have recently captured headlines not only for their athletic prowess but also for their intertwined personal lives. The recent surge in their popularity can be attributed to Travis's high-profile romance with pop sensation Taylor Swift and the brothers' notable achievements on the football field.
During the Thursday, December 19 episode of the podcast 'Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce,' sports presenter Charissa Thompson recounted Travis's claim to fame: he wears number 87 to honor his brother, Jason, who was born in 1987. 'That’s when Travis told me he wears 87 because of Jason’s… that's the year he was born,' Thompson shared. Kylie's comical interjection, 'Jason still calls bull on this,' suggests there may be more to the story than meets the eye, adding, 'He’s like, ‘No, you got ‘87’ and were like, ‘Uh, how can I associate this with my brother?’'
Despite the skepticism surrounding Travis's heartfelt claim, Thompson remarked, 'It’s a sweet sentiment. It’s a nice story,' which Kylie affirmed.
Travis has known to express heartfelt brotherly pride, particularly highlighted during their NFL Films interview, where he stated, 'If there is a Kelce legacy, two brothers making it to the NFL, it all started in 1987 because this big guy was born in 1987,' pointing to Jason. The bond between the two has grown through shared experiences on and off the field, with Jason expressing pride for Travis as he prepares for his third Super Bowl appearance. 'I love just being a fan. Being able to root for [Travis] and just watch good football,' Jason said, reflecting on the contrasting roles they play.
Travis, now 35, has embraced the spotlight with humorous flair. During his stint hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in February 2023, he fondly recalled their childhood memories, noting, 'Jason was always the one who was good at everything.' He joked about his own struggles, quipping, 'I got kicked off the team because I failed French.' This sense of humor is indicative of their close relationship and serves to ground their public personas.
Jason and his wife, Kylie, who married in 2018, have navigated their own fame, which has escalated since becoming the first siblings to clash on the Super Bowl stage. Even though they garnered attention, it is now overshadowed by Travis's relationship with Swift. 'It’s been crazy,' Jason remarked during his appearance on Andrew Santino’s 'Whiskey Ginger' podcast. He noted how their familial fame doesn't compare to the level of scrutiny Travis and Taylor face.
Jason elaborated, 'Kylie and I think we have it bad, and then we go hang out with one of them for a second. This is a whole other situation.' This humorous acknowledgment of their newfound notoriety demonstrates the brothers’ self-awareness about their social standing.
Travis shared candidly about the initial challenges of dating someone as famous as Swift, admitting, 'I’ve never dated anyone with [her] kind of aura.' He explained the adjustment to the constant media attention but remains committed to maintaining normalcy within his relationship.
Both Jason and Kylie have stated the challenges of visibility as public figures, especially with their three daughters. 'Kylie was more hesitant about how much of their lives have become public,' Jason said. They participated in a Kelce family documentary, which increased their exposure, but Jason noted Kylie enjoys engaging with the community through charitable work.
Jason expressed his gratitude for their fame, saying, 'We’re really, really fortunate for the fans and all the people who support us.' This recognition highlights not only the brothers' accomplishments but also their grounded approach to handling fame.
While the brothers navigate the spotlight, they continue to build on the solid foundation of their familial relationship. Their shared experiences and personal anecdotes provide fans with heartwarming insights, and as they continue to take the NFL by storm, the Kelce family remains closely knit.
The dynamic between Travis, Jason, and their respective spouses showcases not just the glitz and glam of celebrity life, but also the genuine love and camaraderie they share. With the NFL playoffs on the horizon and the media frenzy surrounding Travis's love life, the Kelces are positioned to remain at the forefront of sports—and pop culture.
