Travis Kelce reflected in an interview with GQ on a raw moment right before the 2013 NFL Draft, where he was still courting teams to pick him. One of those were his hometown team in the Cleveland Browns, where he med with Coach Rob Chudzinksi, which broke him down in tears.
Back then, he was vying for a spot with his hometown Cleveland Browns, and during a meeting with coach Rob Chudzinski, Kelce says he broke down in tears. He apologized for getting emotional, explaining that growing up just “down the street” had made playing for the Browns feel like his destiny.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“I cried in Chud’s office and said, ‘I will f**king die for this city!’,” Kelce said in GQ. “I literally was in tears. I said, ‘I’m sorry I’m getting emotional. I grew up down the street. I would f**king do anything to play for the Cleveland Browns.’ He looked at me like I was insane. I don’t think he’d ever had somebody just pour out their emotions.”
Chudzinski, according to Travis Kelce, looked taken aback—like he’d never seen a prospect pour himself out that way. Despite the heartfelt plea, Cleveland passed. Instead, in Round 3, pick 63, Travis Kelce was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs, where his NFL career not only survived—it thrived.
That decision turned out to be one of the best in recent NFL history. Kelce has since become a legendary tight end: ten Pro Bowl nods, four First-Team All-Pro selections, and a trio of Super Bowl wins. He’s also broken receiving records and carved out a reputation that’s nearly Hall of Fame-worthy.
Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce
Jul 22, 2025; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks down the hill to the practice fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Travis Kelce blames Hollywood distractions for crushing his Super Bowl three-peat hopes
Over the last couple of seasons, even a guy like Travis Kelce admits he hasn’t been performing like himself. In a candid GQ conversation, he admitted his game slipped a bit—largely because he was juggling football with new acting gigs and media projects.
“I don’t say this as ‘I shouldn’t have done it.’ I’m just saying that my work ethic is such that I have so much pride in how I do things that I never want the product to tail off, and I feel like these past two years haven’t been to my standard. I just have such a motivation to show up this year for my guys.”
That shift toughened the dream of a Chiefs three-peat, which didn’t come to pass. Still, he’s not regretting the journey—he’s just eager to get back to what he loves most: football, and doing it with excellence.
Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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