Sep 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;  Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce says he invited Taylor Swift to a Chiefs game

Try as he might, Travis Kelce has been unable to deflect conversation surrounding a rumored relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.

Some might say Kelce has been unable to “shake it off.”

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end decided to speak on the topic during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” Thursday on ESPN.

“I told her that I’ve seen you rock a stage in Arrowhead, so you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead. And see which one is a little more lit,” Kelce said with a smile. “We’ll see what happens in the near future.”

The (rumored) “Love Story” began in July when Kelce shared that he was upset that his opportunity to present Swift with a friendship bracelet — along with his phone number — went by the boards during her Kansas City stop of the “Eras Tour.”

The rumor mill began picking up steam throughout the summer about the potential power couple, albeit with unconfirmed reports.

Eagles center Jason Kelce was asked about his brother’s relationship situation Wednesday on 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia.

“I don’t really know what’s happening in Travis’ love life. I try to keep his business kind of his business and stay out of that world,” Jason Kelce said. “But having said that, I think he’s doing great and I think that it’s all 100 percent true.”

Jason Kelce was quick to note that he was joking.

Let’s hope all goes well for Travis Kelce, considering Swift is known for her breakup songs.

After all, it would be a shame if they “are never ever getting back together” — if they ever are together in the first place.

–Field Level Media–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) on field against the Detroit Lions after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (knee), Chris Jones return to practice

Travis Kelce (knee) will return to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity and onetime holdout Chris Jones will also practice and play for Kansas City in Week 2.

Those were the updates ib Wednesday from Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who added that only running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) will miss the week’s first official practice.

The Chiefs (0-1) play at Jacksonville (1-0) on Sunday.

Kelce, 33, injured his knee at practice on Sept. 5 and was diagnosed with a bone bruise, ultimately missing the season opener, a stunning 21-20 home loss to the Detroit Lions.

An eight-time Pro Bowl tight end, Kelce has totaled 814 catches for 10,344 yards and 69 touchdowns in 144 career games (137 starts) with the Chiefs.

Kelce had previously missed only three games since 2014. He sat out two games when the Chiefs rested many of their starters and missed one game when he had COVID-19 in 2021.

Jones, 29, ended his holdout Monday after agreeing to a new one-year deal. The team didn’t announce financial details with the defensive tackle.

Jones was previously scheduled to make a base salary of $19.5 million this season, the finale of his four-year, $80 million contract signed in 2020.

Jones racked up 15.5 sacks in 17 games last season and earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod, along with his first time as a first-team All-Pro selection. In 107 games (86 starts) for the Chiefs since being drafted in the second round in 2016, Jones has 65 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 243 total tackles.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2023; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) greets fans as he arrives prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (knee) ruled out for season opener

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce (knee) was ruled out for Thursday night’s NFL season opener against the visiting Detroit Lions.

Kelce, 33, who injured his knee at practice Tuesday and was diagnosed with a bone bruise, was listed as questionable to play on the Chiefs’ final injury report. He was scheduled to test his knee before the game.

Kelce recorded career-best totals in catches (110) and touchdowns (12) to go along with a team-leading 1,338 receiving yards in 17 games last season.

An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Kelce has totaled 814 catches for 10,344 yards and 69 touchdowns in 144 career games (137 starts) with the Chiefs.

Kelce had previously missed only three games since 2014. He sat out two games when the Chiefs rested many of their starters and missed one game when he had COVID-19 in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Jul 24, 2023; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) answers questions from reporters during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce hyperextends knee in practice

Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee during Tuesday’s practice, leaving coach Andy Reid to label the star tight end’s availability as uncertain for the Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener in two days.

“They’re looking at it now,” Reid said. “We’ll just see how it goes.”

Noah Gray likely would get the nod at tight end if Kelce is unable to play against the visiting Detroit Lions on Thursday. Gray, 24, had 28 catches for 299 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (eight starts) last season.

Kelce, 33, recorded career-best totals in catches (110) and touchdowns (12) to go along with a team-leading 1,338 receiving yards in 17 games last season.

A four-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Kelce has totaled 814 catches for 10,344 yards and 69 touchdowns in 144 career games (137 starts) with the Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) celebrates after winning Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce pleads with Chris Jones to end holdout

Travis Kelce admits he doesn’t fully understand defensive tackle Chris Jones’ decision to engage in a holdout. Kelce just wants his teammate back with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

“Chris, can you please come back?” the star tight end said on his New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast. “You’re really scaring me, man. I don’t get it. You must know something that I don’t know because I just don’t get it. I really want to get another Super Bowl ring with you, brother. This is me bargaining you to just come back and play football for the Chiefs. Please, we need you. We need you bad, and I don’t know what the situation is.

“He’s just the best defensive player in the league right now. He’s deserving of all the money in the world. Chris, I love you. Please come back now.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2022 first-team All-Pro, Jones has one season remaining on the four-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Chiefs in 2020. He’s scheduled to make a base salary of $19.5 million this season.

Jones, 29, recently threatened over social media to extend his holdout to as far as Week 8 if negotiations don’t improve. He currently is on the reserve/did not report list.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday he doesn’t take issue with Jones’ decision to stay away from the team.

“Chris has chosen to go this route,” Reid said. “Some other guys have chosen to get their deals done and come in and play. I’m not here to criticize one way or the other. We’ve had a lot of success with the guys that we have and we go with it.

“Other than that, I take the distractions and throw them out the door and let’s get on with what’s real.”

What’s real is the Chiefs open the season against the visiting Detroit Lions on Thursday.

Jones finished third in Defensive Player of the Year balloting last season after matching his career best of 15.5 sacks. The two-time Super Bowl champion has 65 sacks in 107 games (86 starts) over seven NFL seasons with the Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce greets fans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Underpaid Travis Kelce: ‘I love winning’

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce is not getting paid like an all-world tight end, but the two Super Bowl rings more than make up for being the 52nd highest-paid player in the NFL this season.

“I love winning,” the 33-year-old told Vanity Fair in an interview published Wednesday.

But it’s not like he’s unaware of one huge metric among NFL players — the checking account.

“My managers and agents love to tell me how underpaid I am,” Kelce said.

The four-time All-Pro is set to make a base salary of $11.25 million this season. His average annual salary of $14.31 million is third among NFL tight ends.

And while former teammate Tyreek Hill left the Chiefs last year to sign a four-year, $120 million extension with the Miami Dolphins, Kelce earned a second Super Bowl ring in February.

“When I saw Tyreek go and get 30 (million) a year, in the back of my head, I was like, ‘Man, that’s two to three times what I’m making right now,’” he told Vanity Fair. “I’m like, ‘The free market looks like fun until you go somewhere, and you don’t win.’ I love winning. I love the situation I’m in.”

But with 10,344 receiving yards and 69 career TDs under his belt, in addition to leading the Chiefs in receptions (110) and yards (1,338) last season, one has to wonder.

“You see how much more money you could be making and, yeah, it hits you in the gut a little bit. It makes you think you’re being taken advantage of,” Kelce said. “I don’t know if I really pressed the gas if I would get what I’m quote-unquote worth. But I know I enjoy coming to that building every single day.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (right) and tight end Travis Kelce celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce to Ja’Marr Chase: Don’t disrespect Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce came to the defense of Patrick Mahomes after he felt his quarterback was disrespected by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Kelce said he understood Chase taking up for his own quarterback Joe Burrow when asked to name the best player in the NFL. Kelce, however, took issue with the wideout’s “Pat who?” comment this week on his “New Heights” podcast that he co-hosts with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.

“I thought it was a little bold,” Travis Kelce said. “(Mahomes) is a two-time league MVP, two-time Super Bowl MVP. To say ‘Pat who?’ is like I don’t know.”

“(A) little disrespectful,” Jason Kelce said.

“It is what it is, dog. Who doesn’t love some good locker room banter, man?” Travis Kelce said. “Shoutout to Ja’Marr Chase for holding it down for his QB, but don’t you ever disrespect Pat Mahomes, now. If you wanna talk your (expletive), talk your (expletive), pimp. Just better back it up.”

Mahomes took to social media recently to tweet a picture of himself wearing two Super Bowl rings at the Chiefs’ ring ceremony on June 15. He answered Chase’s “question” in his own way: “That’s who.”

Burrow, 26, was an NFL MVP finalist last season after throwing for a franchise-record 35 touchdowns. Chase, 23, caught 87 passes for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns.

Mahomes, 27, led the NFL in passing yards (5,250) and touchdowns (41) last season. He also got the better of Burrow and the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game before leading the Chiefs to a 38-35 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; The Super Bowl LVII logo on the field during Super Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs enjoy private ceremony to receive bejeweled rings

The Kansas City Chiefs officially have the ring bling befitting their second Super Bowl title in four years.

In a private ceremony Thursday night in Kansas City, players, coaches and staff gathered to receive their diamond- and ruby-bedecked Super Bowl LVII rings for beating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 on Feb. 12.

Not your everyday ring rundown: 609 round diamonds, 16 baguette diamonds, four marquise diamonds and 35 custom-cut genuine rubies with an approximate weight of 16.10 total carats, per the Chiefs’ website.

After the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February 2020, there was no private ring ceremony amid the COVID-19 pandemic that year.

Star tight end Travis Kelce said Thursday night’s event “feels right,” even as a “last hurrah” before the team looks ahead to 2023.

“I think everybody in this building is kind of ready to go after 2023 here and put this one in the past,” Kelce said. “But it’s going to be cool seeing these rings and reminisce for one more time.”

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt called the private ceremony a chance to have a huge party to “properly celebrate our Super Bowl victory.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) talks with his brother Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) after Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce takes aim at brother, Patrick Mahomes on ‘SNL’

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had a little fun at the expense of his brother as well as teammate Patrick Mahomes during his opening monologue on “Saturday Night Live.”

The charismatic Kelce began his hosting gig by referencing his team’s 38-35 victory over older brother Jason Kelce’s Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz.

“If you don’t know, I just won my second Super Bowl, which was amazing. But to me, hosting SNL is that much better baby,” Travis Kelce said before quickly reversing his field. “I’m lying to you all. I’m kidding. Winning the Super Bowl was way better.”

Travis Kelce, 33, then took aim at his quarterback — well, more to the point — Mahomes’ raspy voice.

He then focused on his brother Jason, who was seated in the front row alongside their parents, Ed and Donna.

“You know, people keep asking me what it was like to beat my brother in the Super Bowl, and it was pretty awkward,” Travis said. “Especially because after the game, we had to ride home together. Our mom drove us there in her minivan, just like the good old days.

“Even though his team lost after being up 10 points at half, my brother is actually really happy for me.”

The camera quickly cut to Jason Kelce, whose face told a different tale.

The Kelce brothers participated in a skit alongside “Saturday Night Live” regulars Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner. Travis Kelce volunteered a reference to his suspension from the University of Cincinnati in which the then-sophomore was disciplined for failing a drug test in 2010.

“So it just goes to show you, if you smoke weed and are bad at school, you can win the Super Bowl twice,” he said.

Travis Kelce is a four-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection in a 10-season career, all with Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

Feb 15, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA;  Kansas City Chiefs  tight end Travis Kelce makes a speech at the Super Bowl LVII Champions Parade in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce lands gig as ‘SNL’ host

While Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes got to say, “I’m going to Disneyland” after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, teammate Travis Kelce earned another iconic media gig.

The All-Pro tight end will host “Saturday Night Live” on March 4.

The comedy sketch show tweeted about Kelce’s appearance on Thursday, and Kelce confirmed it in an appearance on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.” The “SNL” musical guest on March 4 will be Kelsea Ballerini.

Kelce told Fallon, a former “SNL” star, “I was a huge (Chris) Farley, (Will) Ferrell, Fallon kind of guy growing up,. And I used to watch ‘Saturday Night Live’ with my mother. It’s an absolute honor and a privilege to be hosting ‘SNL’ March 4th. I am so nervous for that — oh my gosh.”

Fallon replied that he told “SNL” showrunner Lorne Michaels regarding Kelce, “He’s so charming and he can sing and he’s fun.”

Kelce said, “You think that about me? Thanks, man. … You’re making me blush.”

Kelce, 33, won a Super Bowl showdown against his older brother, Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles’ center.

The brothers and their mother, Donna, soaked in the media spotlight last week ahead of the Super Bowl, in which the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35.

Jason Kelce, asked what he told Travis Kelce following the game, said, “(Expletive) you. Congratulations.”

Travis Kelce, now a two-time Super Bowl champion, is a four-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection in a 10-season career, all with Kansas City.

Numerous athletes have hosted “SNL” through the years, including Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Chris Evert, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, LeBron James and Michael Phelps.

–Field Level Media