Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, is widely considered a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. With 10 Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl championships, Kelce has cemented his legacy as one of the NFL’s most dominant players at his position.
His career statistics — 12,151 yards, 77 touchdowns, and 1,004 receptions — reflect his consistency and impact on the field. Off the field, Kelce’s celebrity has surged thanks to his high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift, and his recent foray into acting has only broadened his appeal.
After Kansas City’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Kelce hinted at retirement, but he ultimately chose to return for a 13th season with the franchise. His continued presence is a big boost for the Chiefs, both on and off the field.
Travis Kelce Shares Challenges He Faced While Acting
Recently, Kelce appeared on “Bussin’ With The Boys,” a podcast hosted by former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. He opened up about his experience stepping into the world of acting, a move that pushed him well outside his comfort zone. Kelce admitted that while he felt prepared for the rigors of an NFL game, acting required a different kind of preparation and confidence.
“No, not necessarily that it wasn’t for me. I mean, I was part of a really good cast. I think I got a lot of help and a lot of pointers from them, so they helped me — at least made me feel comfortable in the moment… I just feel like I’ve got to find that — I don’t know — that professionalism before the cameras are on. And I just hadn’t found that yet.
“I’m just going over the lines like, ‘how many times am I going to read this same line?’… That was my entire thing. Every single director that I met on set and everything like that, I was just telling them, ‘Coach me up. I’m here to be coached. If I suck, tell me I suck and tell me how I can be better. I’ll take all criticism — I don’t give a f**k’.”
Kelce explained that he didn’t spend much time practicing his lines in front of the mirror. Instead, he would review his performance with directors by watching the footage after filming a scene. He admitted that he still doesn’t feel like he has fully grasped acting, but he is eager to learn and improve.
The Chiefs star had his first major acting role in the FX horror series Grotesquerie, which debuted last September, playing a recurring role as the character Ed Laclan. The series, which starred Niecy Nash and Courtney B. Vance, received generally positive reviews. It has not been picked up for a second season; however, it is expected that Kelce would return to the cast if the series is renewed.