Both brothers are NFL stars, but one is a fan-favorite center with the Philadelphia Eagles and the other is a record-breaking tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Their rivalry may be the most defining in the league for the 2010s and beyond.
Both brothers are incredibly competitive, but they also have a lot of love for one another. They’ve supported each other in all their endeavors, including the biggest game of their lives — the Super Bowl.
How did the Kelce brothers get started?
Before they became podcast hosts, reality TV stars and Christmas album artists, Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce played football at the University of Cincinnati. Their winding path, from Cleveland Heights to the NFL and their eventual championship rings, is a lesson in perseverance.
The elder Kelce, who grew up in the same home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as his younger brother, earned All-Lake Erie League honors twice as a high school running back and linebacker. He then went on to play at UC, starting at left guard in 2008 as part of an offensive line that helped the Bearcats go 11-3 and win a Big East title.
After a redshirt year, he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He stayed in the NFL and earned his first Super Bowl ring with the Eagles in 2018.
It’s rare that two brothers face off in the Super Bowl, but this February, it’ll happen when the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs square off in Super Bowl LVII. It’s the first time that both brothers will compete in the big game, but it’s also a special moment for their mother, Donna Kelce.
How did they end up in the NFL?
Getting into the NFL is no easy task. It takes hard work, dedication and talent — qualities that brothers Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce possess.
Both grew up in Cleveland Heights and played football together at the University of Cincinnati. Jason was a walk-on running back who later converted to play on the offensive line. He compiled over 1,500 yards of total offense during his college career, including rushing for 1,016 and passing for 1,423 — all of which are career highs.
His younger brother, meanwhile, was a four-year letter winner at Cleveland Heights and racked up over 2,500 yards of total offense during his collegiate career. He was graded as a two-star recruit out of high school and entertained scholarship offers from Connecticut, Akron, and Eastern Michigan.
When Travis failed a drug test after his freshman year, his scholarship was revoked. Fortunately, his older brother kept his eye on him and worked to get him back on track. He persuaded coaches to reinstate him the following season.
What are their personalities like?
When it comes to the Kelce brothers, their personalities are nothing short of extraordinary. They are both past Super Bowl winners and incredibly successful, dynamic players, but there are some big differences between them that can be hard to miss when they’re on the field together.
Those differences are what make the siblings’ relationship so interesting, especially for those who have been following them throughout their careers. Jason is a little more mature, while Travis is much more outgoing and light-hearted.
But their relationship has always been based on a natural, close bond that has evolved over the years. When a younger brother was suspended by the Cincinnati football team, it was Jason who went to bat for him and made sure he was back on track.
Those moments are why it’s no surprise that their mother, Donna, seems to have an equally strong bond with both of them. She has shown her support for both of them in a variety of ways, from wearing special Chiefs and Eagles jerseys during games to going on her own social media accounts and posting pictures of herself with both of them.
What are their goals for the future?
Travis Kelce is a record-breaking tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, while his brother Jason Kelce is a fan-favorite center for the Philadelphia Eagles. The brothers are on the way to becoming NFL legends, and they have some big goals for the future.
While Travis is on a mission to become the fourth-best tight end in NFL history, Jason hopes to continue playing his way into the Hall of Fame. He also aims to help his team win the number-one seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Both of them are committed to doing good on and off the field. Their foundations, Eighty-Seven & Running and the (Be)Philly Foundation, both aim to give back to the communities that have supported them as professional athletes.
It’s a lot of work for the Kelce family, but they try their best to make the most of it. Mom Donna Kelce was even featured during Super Bowl week wearing an outfit that was half Chiefs and half Eagles, earrings representing each team and a tote bag with both of her sons’ numbers and “Mama Kelce” on it.
