Travis Kelce is well aware that fame doesn’t come easy. Despite sharing the football field with numerous players, it’s primarily Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Andy Reid who capture the attention of Kansas City Chiefs fans. Kelce’s journey to stardom has been marked by careful planning and execution, according to his co-manager, André Eanes. While some may consider his rise to be extraordinary, Eanes believes that having a solid plan in place makes the process smoother. The plan, however, is not yet complete, and Kelce lamented that he will never reach the level of fame enjoyed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to which Eanes countered, “Yes, you can.”

Kelce’s association with Taylor Swift has significantly expanded his fanbase, attracting individuals who may have never watched football before this season. The tight end’s popularity has grown exponentially thanks to this newfound association.

To understand Kelce’s ascent to success, it’s important to trace his career trajectory. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but he missed the entire 2013 season due to injury. Kelce finally made his first stat appearance in 2014, playing just one play in his rookie season.

Over the next two years, Kelce showed promise but struggled to establish himself as a leader in his position. His performances in 2014 and 2015 yielded roughly 870 yards and five touchdowns. In 2015, he made an attempt to break into mainstream culture by being featured in Complex Magazine.

Kelce was then approached to star in a reality television series called “Catching Kelce,” which aimed to find him a significant other. However, the show fell short of its goal, and Kelce turned away from reality TV.

During the following five seasons, Kelce consistently delivered impressive performances, earning at least 1,000 yards per year between 2016 and 2020. This level of success is typically associated with wide receivers, highlighting Kelce’s exceptional talent.

In October 2021, after the Chiefs emerged victorious in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelce attended an SNL after-party. Subsequently, his connections with Taylor Swift raised his commercial value, and he even secured an endorsement deal with Pfizer.

As of now, Kelce needs just 16 more yards to surpass the 1,000-yard milestone for the current season. This would mark the first time since 2016 that he has failed to achieve this feat.