Chiefs TE Travis Kelce explains how he became a student of the game

The NFL offseason rolls on, and players are taking their time to enjoy the off-field life. Events and appearances are a regular part of the summer weeks before training camp. Wednesday yielded another opportunity for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to engage with fans.

Travis surprised his brother, Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce, at his appearance at a local sports radio event. The brothers joined Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show on Wednesday morning for a special live show at Paddy’s Green at O’Donnell’s Pour House in Sea Isle, New Jersey where they were raising money for charity.

Some history between Jason and Travis was recanted during the appearance, including the former positions they played during college and high school football. Travis discussed his position switch from quarterback to tight end, crediting Jason in a way for helping to unlock a greater appreciation for the game of football.

“I’ll say this, so I made the transition in college from quarterback to tight end, and I had no idea what I was doing,” Travis said. “I was literally just a slappy in the quarterback room just back there said ‘HUT’ and try and just make something shake. I was not very calculated, which is why I wasn’t a very good quarterback. But when I moved the tight end, and my last two years, I had to really figure it out. I asked Jason about defenses, ‘How are you looking at defenses?’ He gave me his understanding or his dissertation on, you know, the safeties, the movement of the front. And, all of a sudden, I started to find a little more love in the game because I’m in somebody’s head now more than I’m just playing the game running around having fun.”

Kelce was a former All-Conference quarterback for Cleveland Heights (Ohio) High School. He has broken records as a tight end since converting from the quarterback position while at the University of Cincinnati. He’s gone from asking older brother Jason for tips to passing on the knowledge to fellow tight ends and teammates, becoming an influential voice among the position group.

“What I think we love to do is we love to pass what we’ve learned on, you know, and that’s just in us,” Kelce said. “So, coaching is definitely something that we’ve — I don’t want to say we’ve kind of already been doing — but I guarantee I’ve talked to guys in the Eagles locker room that have said they’ve learned a lot from (Jason). I mean, so teaching wise and being able just to be a leader and motivate the ones around you, that’s really all the coaching is. You just have to be relatable enough to get a grown man to do it and not the kids.”

Travis is fresh off wrapping up the second year of Tight End University, where he mentored and taught many of his peers. Perhaps we’re getting a glimpse of what the future might hold for Kelce after his playing days are over — helping others find a greater appreciation for the game through coaching.

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