Who is Travis Kelce?
Travis Kelce is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, a three-time Super Bowl champion, cohost of the hit New Heights podcast, and a fast-rising entertainment figure. In 2025 he’s trending for a string of off-field wins hosting Prime Video’s Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, a cameo in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25), and an award-winning podcast deal while returning to training camp after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles. Kelce is also a small investor in the Alpine F1 team alongside teammate Patrick Mahomes.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Travis Michael Kelce |
| Nickname | “Zeus”; “Killa Trav” |
| Profession | NFL tight end; podcaster; TV host; producer/actor |
| Known For | Kansas City Chiefs TE (#87); New Heights podcast; |
| Age | 35 (as of July 2025) |
| Date of Birth | October 5, 1989 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Years Active | 2013–present (NFL); 2022–present (podcast/TV) |
| Hometown | Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA |
| Current Residence | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Nationality | American |
| Educational Qualification | University of Cincinnati (football, 2008–2012) |
| Hobbies | Golf, fashion/style, podcasting, philanthropy |
| Marital Status | In a relationship |
| Girlfriend | Taylor Swift |
Early life and education
Travis Kelce was born in Westlake, Ohio, and grew up in nearby Cleveland Heights. He excelled in multiple sports at Cleveland Heights High School, then played tight end at the University of Cincinnati. In 2010 he lost his spot on the team after a failed drug test, returned following a suspension, and finished his college career as a standout. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the 63rd overall pick. That comeback shaped his approach to discipline and preparation.
Physical Appearance
- Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m)
- Weight: 250 lbs (113 kg)
- Eye Colour: Hazel
- Hair Colour: Brown
- Tattoos: Kelce has several tattoos, including a large one on his right arm that features a lion, the Cleveland skyline, and the number 87. He also has tattoos on his left arm and leg.
Career journey
Kelce missed most of his 2013 rookie season due to a knee issue, then became the league’s standard at tight end. He is a ten time Pro Bowler with multiple All Pro seasons and numerous postseason receiving records for a tight end. He won Super Bowls LIV, LVII, and LVIII with the Chiefs.
Recent seasons and 2025 headlines
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Signed a two year extension in 2024 that reset tight end pay at the time.
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Returned to the Super Bowl in February 2025.
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Listed among the NFL’s Top 100 players for 2025 ahead of preseason.
Media and entertainment
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New Heights with his brother Jason earned major podcast awards in 2024 and secured a large distribution and ad sales deal.
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Hosted Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? on Prime Video.
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Took a first scripted TV role in Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie on FX and Hulu in 2024.
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Appeared in Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix, released July 25, 2025.
Business and philanthropy
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Founder of the Eighty Seven & Running Foundation, which funds education and workforce programs, including Kansas City’s Ignition Lab with Operation Breakthrough.
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Part of the celebrity investor group that took a stake in the Alpine F1 team with teammate Patrick Mahomes.
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Creator of Kelce Jam, a Kansas City music festival launched in 2023, paused for 2025.
Travis Kelce Relationships
Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is currently dating pop superstar Taylor Swift. They have been together for close to two years. Reports indicate that their relationship began in the summer of 2023.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the couple shared a joint Instagram post featuring photos of the proposal and the caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married”. The announcement quickly went viral, attracting millions of likes and congratulations from around the world.
View this post on Instagram
Travis Kelce has had a few known relationships prior to dating Taylor Swift:
- Kayla Nicole: They dated on and off from 2017 to 2022.
- Zuri Hall: Kelce dated entertainment reporter and TV personality Zuri Hall for a few months after breaking up with Kayla Nicole.
- Maya Benberry: Travis Kelce previously had a dating reality show in 2016 called Catching Kelce, where he chose Maya Benberry, although the relationship didn’t last long.
While there has been speculation about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift getting married, they have not yet announced any engagement or marriage. Recently, the couple has made a significant step in their relationship by adopting a puppy together.
It is important to note that Kylie Kelce, often associated with the Kelce name, is the wife of Travis Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce. She hosts the podcast “Not Gonna Lie” and is involved in supporting the Eagles Autism Foundation.
Travis Kelce Controversy
- Relationship and Media Attention: Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift, which started in 2023, has brought unprecedented media scrutiny to his personal life and career. Some speculate that the increased media attention may have affected his performance on the field during the 2024 NFL season.
- “NFL Hooker” Remark: In July 2025, Kelce joked on his podcast about being Swift’s “NFL hooker,” comparing their romance to a reversed Pretty Woman. This sparked backlash for perceived sexism and objectification.
- Old Tweets Resurface: In early 2024, old tweets from Kelce’s college days resurfaced, containing controversial remarks about women and their appearances. Kelce addressed the issue, acknowledging his past immaturity but not offering a direct apology. Joy Behar of The View criticized Kelce’s tweets and literacy in the context of his relationship with Swift.
- Podcast Survey Backlash: The podcast Kelce co-hosts with his brother, New Heights, faced criticism in April 2025 after a listener survey included Taylor Swift references, leading to accusations of leveraging her name for marketing.
- Relationship Focus During Games: Swift’s attendance at Kelce’s games initially sparked debate about whether it was a distraction, though statistical analysis showed minimal impact on his performance.
- Relationship Authenticity and PR Stunt Rumors: Many questioned the authenticity of their relationship from the start, speculating it was a PR stunt. These rumors were fueled by a fake “media plan” document that circulated online in 2024. However, insiders and the Chiefs CEO publicly endorsed the relationship as genuine.
- Cheating Allegations: Following his split with ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole, she alluded to infidelity in past relationships during a podcast appearance, reigniting rumors about Kelce’s faithfulness, which he had previously denied.
- “No Girlfriends” Remark: In May 2025, Kelce jokingly claimed he had no girlfriends before Swift, sparking backlash from fans and exes who remembered his relationship with Kayla Nicole.
- Backing Erin Andrews’ Comments: Kelce subtly endorsed Erin Andrews’ critical comments about Bill Belichick’s younger girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, generating further discussion about age gaps and loyalty.
- Super Bowl 2025 Loss & Retirement Rumors: Kelce had a less productive 2024 season, followed by the Chiefs losing Super Bowl LIX to the Philadelphia Eagles. His performance dip led to speculation about Swift’s influence and even retirement rumors. He has committed to the 2025 season but the Chiefs’ salary cap situation and his age make his future beyond that uncertain.
- Booing at Super Bowl 2025: Swift was booed at Super Bowl 2025, potentially causing tension in their relationship, as they maintained a lower profile afterward.
- Delayed Training Camp Return: Kelce delayed his return to training camp to spend more time with Swift after a wedding, drawing debate about athletes balancing their personal lives and professional commitments.
Past Controversies
- On-field Behavior: Kelce has a history of passionate on-field behavior, including shouting at a coach and tossing a kicker’s helmet during warmups in separate incidents.
- “Beer Olympics” Cancellation: In 2024, Kelce canceled his participation in Barstool Sports’ Beer Olympics due to training camp commitments, prompting teasing from Barstool personalities.
- Instagram Post Following Trump’s Win: Kelce faced backlash in November 2024 for an Instagram post celebrating a Chiefs victory shortly after Donald Trump’s election win, with some viewing it as insensitive to the political climate.
- Chiefs Officiating Controversy: During the 2025 Super Bowl opening night, Kelce challenged the media’s narrative about officials favoring the Kansas City Chiefs.
It is important to note that many of these controversies are speculative or involve public commentary rather than official incidents or sanctions.
Family background
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Ed Kelce |
| Mother | Donna Kelce |
| Brother(s) | Jason Kelce |
| Sister(s) | NA |
Net Worth
- Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $90 million as of 2025.
- Income streams include NFL salary and bonuses, the New Heights distribution and advertising deal, endorsements, TV hosting and acting projects, festival and live events, and equity investments.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle | Followers (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| @killatrav | ~7 million | |
| Twitter/X | @tkelce | ~1.4 million |
| @tkelce87 | ~1.4 million | |
| YouTube | New Heights | ~3 million |
Some Lesser Known Facts
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Won The Match VIII with Patrick Mahomes against Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in 2023, which boosted his golf profile.
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The Ignition Lab in Kansas City teaches teens trades and technology, a signature project of his foundation.
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Hosting Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? showed an easy, classroom friendly on camera style.
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Grotesquerie marked his first major scripted acting role.
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The NFL Top 100 ranking for 2025 put him among the league’s elite entering his 13th season.
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Investor in Alpine F1 with a celebrity group that includes Mahomes.
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Kelce Jam launched in 2023 and drew big crowds in 2024, then took a strategic pause in 2025.
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New Heights won Podcast of the Year at a major awards show in 2024 and Best Sports Podcast at another industry event the same year.
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Landed a widely discussed magazine cover story in 2025 focused on his training reset and media plans.
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Keeps private life measured despite intense attention and often thanks Swift’s fanbase for supporting the show.
Latest Updates
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Based in Missouri for Chiefs camp with offseason work frequently in Florida.
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Happy Gilmore 2 cameo arrived on Netflix on July 25, 2025.
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New Heights continues to post record episodes, including Taylor Swift’s August 2025 appearance.
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Kelce Jam is paused this year, with plans to evaluate its future format.
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Chiefs preseason activities and community events are now underway.
FAQs
Q1. What is Travis Kelce’s age?
He is 35 years old, born on October 5, 1989.
Q2. Is Travis Kelce married?
No. He is in a relationship with Taylor Swift.
Q3. Who is Travis Kelce dating now in 2025?
Taylor Swift. She appeared on New Heights in August 2025.
Q4. What does Travis Kelce do for a living?
He plays tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and also works in media as a podcaster, host, and producer or actor.
Q5. What is Travis Kelce known for?
Elite play at tight end, three Super Bowl titles with the Chiefs, the New Heights podcast, and a widely followed public profile.
Q6. What are Travis Kelce’s latest projects in 2025?
A Netflix cameo in Happy Gilmore 2, continued New Heights episodes, and preparation for the 2025 NFL season.
Q7. Has Travis Kelce been involved in any controversies?
The most discussed moment was a heated sideline exchange with coach Andy Reid during Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, followed by an apology.
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