Over the past year, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has garnered widespread attention, from hosting Saturday Night Live to dating Taylor Swift, making him one of America’s most recognizable athletes. However, Patrick Mahomes asserts that Kelce remains unchanged by the spotlight. During a recent media briefing, Mahomes shared his perspective on Kelce’s authenticity, emphasizing that despite achieving global fame, Kelce has remained true to himself.

Mahomes stated, “Travis has always been Travis. It’s been cool to watch for me because he has all that attention but he’s just been himself the whole time.” According to US Weekly, Mahomes further elaborated, saying, “He’s still Travis Kelce. He still will walk through the stadium and treat every single person like they’re his best friend. And he’s going to be like that in the locker room every single day. It hasn’t been any different.”

Image Source: Getty Images | Photo By Ezra Shaw

While Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift has generated significant media buzz in recent months, the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end has been a well-known figure among football enthusiasts since entering the NFL draft in 2013. Mahomes also expressed his appreciation for Kelce’s contributions to the team, emphasizing his consistent character and work ethic. He stated, “I’ve come to work every single day and lucky enough that I have a lot of great players around me, and Travis is one of them.”

Mahomes shared his joy for Kelce, particularly when witnessing him fulfill a dream by hosting Saturday Night Live. He noted that Kelce had been sharing SNL quotes in the locker room for years, and hosting the show was a significant milestone for him. Mahomes humorously mentioned Kelce’s knowledge of skits from before Mahomes was born, saying, “It was really, really cool. It was a dream of his. He knows all the skits from guys that were on Saturday Night Live. He was telling me the ones from before I was even born. I was like, ‘Trav, I’m not the same age as you, I don’t even know who that is.’”

Mahomes also acknowledged that appearing on the NBC series, let alone hosting it, had long been one of Kelce’s ambitions. He expressed hope that Kelce would have more opportunities in the entertainment industry after his football career. Kelce himself has shown interest in expanding his career beyond the football field, though he humorously reflected on the irony of contemplating life after the NFL.

Currently, Kelce’s primary focus is on leading his team through the playoffs and defending their Super Bowl LVII championship. He and Mahomes played pivotal roles in securing a victory against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, January 24, and they are now gearing up to face the Baltimore Ravens in the upcoming AFC Championship. If they emerge victorious, they will once again contend for the Super Bowl championship. Kelce has jokingly credited Swift as his lucky charm, noting that the Chiefs have secured several victories in games she has attended, according to reports by Page Six.