The Kelce brothers used to dream of playing in a Super Bowl as children, but those visuals didn’t include the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs.
Instead, Jason and Travis thought of reaching the big game with the hometown team they passionately rooted for and pretended they were members of during neighborhood football games.
“Growing up in Cleveland, we were always on the Browns together hoping to one day be in front of that crowd,” Jason Kelce of the Eagles said during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday in Phoenix. “But it ended up being all right. Even though we’re not on the same team, to be able to play against him in (the Super Bowl) was something I don’t think any of us envisioned.”
The two brothers will share the ultimate act of football brotherly love on Sunday when Travis’ Chiefs face Philadelphia in Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Ariz.
Some people are referring to the big game as the “Kelce Bowl.” Sunday marks the first time in NFL history that two brothers have squared off against each other in a Super Bowl.
“It’s a dream come true,” Travis Kelce said. “It’s just cool for my family to be able to have this much fun. I want to thank the fans for making it fun for me and my family because it’s not going to be fun for one of us at the end of the day. It’s definitely a fun ride right now.”
Travis is 3-0 against Jason in previous NFL battles — the wins coming in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
This matchup, though, counts much more.
“Whoever wins this one will have the ultimate bragging rights,” Jason Kelce said. “We’re always rooting for each other. I always want him to do well. But I sure would like to get this one over his head.”
Both brothers already own a Super Bowl ring. Jason earned his when the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018. Travis won his ring when the Chiefs posted a 31-20 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, 2020.
Jason Kelce is a six-time Pro Bowl center reaching the twilight of his career. At age 35, he has hinted that retirement is an option after this season, his 12th in the NFL.
Travis Kelce of the Chiefs is an eight-time Pro Bowler in the prime of a stellar 10-year career. At age 33, he is considered one of the game’s all-time best tight ends and earlier this season became the fastest at the position (140 games) in history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards.
Two people who know the Kelces well are their mother and Chiefs coach Andy Reid — the latter coached Jason with the Eagles for two seasons before coaching Travis for the past 10 campaigns.
Said Reid: “Those two are special. They’re smart guys, they love to play the game — dirty, tough — and they’ll compete with the best of them. They’ll get after it on Sunday. They’re two good ones.”
Donna Kelce made an appearance during a joint interview on stage Monday and her presence was appreciated as she brought homemade cookies to her boys.
“It feels amazing that they have both been able to get to this point in their careers and for both to get to enjoy the Super Bowl together,” Donna Kelce said.
–Field Level Media