TRAVIS KELCE says he is relishing the attention after being catapulted into the global spotlight via his romance with Taylor Swift.
The 34-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end has found himself in the eye of a pop culture hurricane this season due to his relationship with the Grammy-winning music superstar.
It has swept the two-time Super Bowl champion’s profile into a whole new dimension, meaning Kelce is just as likely to lead entertainment news headlines as much as sports bulletins.
Unsurprisingly, the larger-than-life Kelce is loving every second of it, not for a moment resenting the inevitable attention that comes with dating one of the highest-profile entertainers on the planet.
“I think it’s fair,” Kelce said of the attention on Wednesday. “Everybody’s having fun with it, and it’s not like you guys are up here teeing off on me left and right.
“Everybody’s having a good time with it so how could I be upset about it?”
Kelce admits though that he is still adjusting to the attention.
“Being worldwide is way different than just being famous in Kansas City,” he quipped. “I got it all figured out, I think.”
And there is zero chance that Kelce will allow the hoop-la surrounding his personal life to deflect from the task this weekend.
Beneath the affable, down-to-earth exterior is a ferocious competitor who is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends ever to pull on an NFL helmet.
Sunday’s test against the San Francisco 49ers will be Kelce’s fourth Super Bowl and comes a year after he lined up against elder brother Jason in the Chiefs’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles to claim his second NFL championship. Kelce says that Super Bowl showdown remains his favourite memory shared with his brother.
“Probably isn’t his favourite memory, but it’s being on the mountain top and playing in the Super Bowl with him,” Kelce said on Wednesday.
- Chasing a dynasty -
Growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, there was never much doubt the Kelce brothers would forge careers in sport.
The 6ft 5in, 250lb Kelce recalled WWE-style wrestling matches with his brother in the living room of the family’s home — with sometimes destructive consequences.
“I got power bombed through my living room floor as a kid and we broke the wooden floor and slid the couch over it,” Kelce said.
“My mom was vacuuming like two weeks later and figured it out and sure enough, we got in trouble for it. Growing up in the 90s I feel like you had no choice but to emulate wrestlers on the playground at recess, or in the living room and the backyard.”
Kelce says he is determined to help the Chiefs win back-to-back titles, an achievement he believes will elevate Kansas City into the dynasty ranks.
“Three is a lucky number,” Kelce said. “Three is when you solidify yourself as a dynasty.”
Winning this season would also mean more for Kelce. The Chiefs struggled during the regular season but built impressive momentum through the playoffs with back-to-back road wins against Buffalo and Baltimore.
“I think we’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs,” Kelce said. “A lot of guys have been challenged to step up in big moments, and they have. And you just love to see that.
“You want it that much more for a guy when people are counting them out and he finds a way to persevere through that.
“This team is as special as a team that I’ve ever been on. And it just makes you want it that much more for the rest of the world. We’re in the moment.”
Thanks for the great memories Domhbal ,u21 and senior. Best of luck
Driving 2 hours knowing you are going to have to listen to Donal and Davey for 2 hours….. Then driving back for 2 hours with them in your head. What would you do???
The GAA at inter county level is currently no place for any one advancing a career. It has become all time consuming, the level of commitment involved is close to professional and those aspiring in a career or have young families find it close to impossible, the commitment is becoming too much for these people . It is a trend in the last couple of years, the amount of players retiring in the 28-31 age bracket, 10-20 years ago these players would be reaching their peek. It is now mostly for students, or teachers or those just starting out work.
or get a job in a bank seems to be another good number for gaa elite
Best of Domhnall you will always be held in Legendary Status in Clare after that amazing point. Farwell My Friend
Do you ever read your comments and second time on your comments or your Facebook page ya mad man !?
Great Facebook page though.
And then the irony of me putting in and instead of a on this….
Ah jaysus, he was in my fantasy Hurling team.
In the words of marty morrisey….”HOLY MOSES”
Domhnall sorry
I can see this happening more and more until the GAA pay the players.
Pay them with what exactly??
Money preferably.
http://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gaa-makes-154000aday-in-bonanza-year-2014-30965880.html
I wouldn’t say its money and more the 4 hour round trip for training probably 3-4 times a week. Some players can deal with that sort of travel but most despise it and affects their game, work and most importantly personal life. Must be a horrible decision to make
Match-day and competition costs (venue rental, match officials, ticketing, insurance etc) came in at €11m, leaving a gross profit of €45m.
Most of that was spent on grants (€10.2m), county and provincial distribution (€9.9m), games development (€9.5m), operating costs (€8.9m), player welfare (€3.6m) and team costs (€2.5m).
In Limerick my county 2 of the players on the panel are paid as full time development officers. You are aware that the money made from renting out Croke park was split between all the counties once they had a development plan. In Limerick they built a centre of excellence and a training centre.
How many clubs will get grants for work on flooded pitches?
So your attempt to make it sound like the GAA sit on a huge pile of money is drivel. I actually feel sorry for you that you think everything in life is about money.
Limerick also got a Grants recently totalling nearly 500k and waterford got a grant of 500k as well.
I’m not saying the GAA is sitting on a pile of money but surely with all the money they generate they can set aside X amount as a token payment to the people who are filling these stadiums
Sorry but I don’t think you understand what its all about. It’s a choice and an honour even to play for your local club not a career choice, and it’s a choice no one is forcing anyone to play.
Ask any intercounty player and most do not want to be paid to play, that will destroy the system.
In my area Hurling is not a sport, it’s a way of life and most clubs around me play nothing but Hurling, and it’s not for money.
How painful was DJ Carey on co commentary?
Hay Buff , any word on Brendan Buglar?
Thanks for the memorues Domhnal and best if luck.