A source tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story on Travis, 34, and his NFL brother Jason Kelce, 36, that the former is enjoying his life in Kansas City, where he’s lived and been playing football since the Chiefs drafted him in 2013.

“He loves KC,” the source says. “He’s genuinely happy there, and that’s why he chose to put down real roots.”

The source adds that life in Kansas City is comfortable for Travis, who has “a lot of friends” living in the nearby area.

“Most of his friends are just normal guys, and a lot he’s known since college,” the source adds. “He’s a very loyal guy and a lot of his friends have been in his life for a long, long time.”