Kelce Bowl: Eagles’ Jason, Chiefs’ Travis The Center Of Attention In A Super Bowl Rematch

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – It’s difficult to go anywhere these days without hearing or seeing something about Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce or his younger brother, Travis Kelce, the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs’ great tight end.

“People” magazine named the former one of the “Sexiest Men Alive” recently. The latter is dating Grammy winner Taylor Swift.

They co-host one of America’s hottest podcasts, contributed to a Philly-themed Christmas record, and have transcended the NFL to become pop culture icons in their own right.

Even their family matriarch, Donna Kelce, has become an endorsement powerhouse in the last year.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” confessed Jason Kelce, who will try to beat Travis and the Chiefs for the first time when the Eagles visit Arrowhead Stadium for a rematch of the Super Bowl on Monday night.

“It kind of started last year with the podcast and everything, and I think it continued to grow more and more.”

It’s been on overdrive since the Chiefs rallied to defeat the Eagles for the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Many football fans began to flock to their podcast, “New Heights, with Jason and Travis Kelce,” where the brothers revealed their lives behind their masks. With a breathtakingly disarming sense of humor, the Kelces rap on everything from what happened that week in the NFL to what transpired in TV and entertainment.

That was also around when people began to embrace Donna, who had always tried to attend both of her boys’ games, including those against each other, but had never been under such a limelight. She famously donned a half-Eagles, half-Chiefs jersey to the Super Bowl, and it’s unlikely she won’t do it again on Monday night.

Suddenly, the Kelce brothers began to appear on late-night television shows. Playing in made-for-TV golf tournaments.

Millions of dollars have been raised for philanthropic causes. And, sure, rubbing shoulders with singers, actors, and Hollywood’s elite.

Eagles’ Jason, Chiefs’ Travis The Center Of Attention In A Super Bowl Rematch

“You just try to take it one game at a time,” Jason Kelce said, employing a tired cliché to describe how he deals with the commotion. “You try to keep things grounded. You try to be realistic about it. You make an effort to be the same person you are.”

Even if you’ve been named one of the hottest men on the planet.

Then there’s Travis Kelce, whose stock skyrocketed when he walked onto the field for the Chiefs’ second season. Since then, he’s been an All-Pro four times, has been selected to eight Pro Bowls, has won three AFC championships, and has two Super Bowl rings — one of which was won at the cost of his brother.

Travis Kelce, on the other hand, only became a crossover celebrity once he revealed his botched attempt to give Swift one of her iconic friendship bracelets during a stop on her Eras Tour.

Undaunted, he invited the diva to see him perform at Arrowhead Stadium, and after she accepted the invitation earlier this season, the two have been spotted together worldwide.

Eagles’ Jason, Chiefs’ Travis Kelce The Center Of Attention In A Super Bowl Rematch

This includes Buenos Aires, where Kelce took advantage of the Chiefs’ bye week last weekend to attend her concert. Swift not only modified one of her lines — “Karma is the guy on the screen” became “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs” — but she also sprinted off the stage to kiss him after finishing a song.

“We’re learning with the paparazzi just taking photos from all over the place,” he said. “You have a lot of people who care about Taylor, and with reason. Just keep living, learning, and enjoying the time.”

Both brothers have had a lot of good ones on the field.

The Eagles are 8-1 and led the NFC heading into the weekend, while the Chiefs are 7-2 and lead the AFC. While both teams have a long way to go, nobody would be surprised if they met again for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

The NFL would have no objections to it.

Eagles’ Jason, Chiefs’ Travis Kelce The Center Of Attention In A Super Bowl Rematch

Despite playing two of the game’s least glamorous positions, the Kelce brothers’ off-the-field activities have undoubtedly attracted many new football fans.

After all, how many “Swifties” tuned in to see if their hero would attend the next Chiefs game, only to become hooked on what happened between the end zones?

“Listen,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said last week, “ex-players have done a fantastic job once they’ve finished.” We are aware of this. But to have the guys still playing and doing it while preserving their teams’ support? That suggests they’re doing things correctly and not endangering coaches and players. There is no danger there. That’s when things go wrong.”

Other players who have transcended the sport over the years include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and, yes, the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.

But they have rarely jumped so recklessly into the Kelce brothers’ many projects.

This includes “A Philly Special Christmas,” which features Jason Kelce singing alongside Eagles teammates Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, and Travis Kelce singing “Fairytale of Philadelphia” on their sophomore album.

There’s a lot that might detract from what happens on the field. Nonetheless, the Kelce brothers have thrived in the process.

“This will continue to grow with other teams,” Reid said, having known the family for decades and even coaching Jason Kelce when he was in Philadelphia. “How you handle it is critical. And these folks did an excellent job.”

SOURCE –  (AP)