NFL brothers Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce share a close relationship both on and off the field.
These two standout athletes are on their way to becoming NFL legends:
Travis is a record-breaking tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Jason was the fan-favorite center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Historic Super Bowl Matchup
The Kelce brothers made NFL history when their teams faced off in the Super Bowl on February 12, 2023. In this highly anticipated matchup, Travis and the Chiefs defeated Jason and the Eagles 38-35. After the game, Jason embraced his younger brother, sharing a few encouraging words. Travis later became emotional when discussing his brother, stating, “There’s nothing you can really say to a loved one in a situation like that. You joke around all the time and say you want to beat your brother on the biggest stage, but it’s a weird feeling. There’s nothing I can say to him other than I love him and he played a hell of a year, a hell of a season.”
Regular Season Rematch
In November 2023, the brothers faced off again during a regular season game where the Eagles triumphed over the Chiefs 21-17, their first win against Kansas City since 2009. Although Jason’s team didn’t make it through the playoffs, Travis’ Chiefs secured another Super Bowl spot after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship. Jason was there cheering on Travis as the Chiefs went on to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 2024. Travis expressed his gratitude, saying, “Just having his support is all I need. Seeing him at the game, seeing him get excited, that’s everything.”
Jason’s Retirement Announcement
In March 2024, Jason announced his retirement from football after 13 successful NFL seasons, following weeks of speculation.
Close Childhood Bond
Born 23 months apart, Jason (November 5, 1987) and Travis (October 5, 1989) grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Their father, Ed, worked in steel, and their mother, Donna, worked in banking. Donna described their childhood as full of “a lot of broken windows, a lot of crashes, a lot of fighting.” Travis often instigated these sibling skirmishes to get his older brother’s attention.
Despite the rivalry, their competitive nature played a significant role in their success. “The competitiveness that we had growing up is very big on why we’re even in the NFL in the first place,” Travis told NFL Films.
Early Troubles and College Careers
Both brothers experienced setbacks early on. They were kicked out of preschool for various antics, with Jason getting involved in a spork fight and Travis refusing to share a checkers set. They both attended the University of Cincinnati, where Jason initially walked on as a linebacker before switching to offensive lineman. Travis joined two years later, despite multiple scholarship offers, to play alongside his brother.
Travis’ college career was nearly derailed after a failed drug test resulted in his suspension. However, Jason intervened, housing Travis and advocating for his reinstatement on the team. “That was my brother just being a big brother, looking out for me every step of the way and fighting for the success story,” Travis reflected.
Podcast Success
In September 2022, the Kelce brothers launched their podcast, “New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce.” Despite their busy schedules, they manage to record weekly episodes discussing NFL games, news, and sports headlines. The podcast has featured prominent guests, including Rob Gronkowski, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes. “It’s fun to just do something with my brother weekly,” Travis told Forbes.
From their childhood in Ohio to their remarkable NFL careers, Jason and Travis Kelce have shared an incredible journey filled with competition, support, and brotherly love.
