Travis Kelce is making waves in the entertainment industry, stepping into a flirty nurse role on FX’s “Grotesquerie,” making a brief appearance in “Happy Gilmore 2,” and taking on the hosting duties for a new game show. While he is open to Hollywood opportunities, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end emphasizes that his commitment to football remains paramount.
“I still have a passion for coming into the game, striving for success, and pursuing championships,” Kelce shared during a Zoom interview. “It’s always been my dream to be involved in football. However, during the off-season, I enjoy exploring other avenues.”
Kelce is keen to discover where he fits best in this new path, stating, “I think you’ll see me continuing to carve out my niche.”
On October 16, he will launch “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” on Prime Video. In this show, adult contestants tackle grade school-level questions with assistance from celebrities, including comedians Ron Funches and Nikki Glaser, reality star Lala Kent, and former player Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. The ultimate question is worth $100,000 and is pitched at a 6th-grade level.
As a child, Kelce enjoyed watching game shows with his older brother Jason, who played as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles. They had a fondness for Nickelodeon’s “Double Dare” and “Legends of the Hidden Temple” as well as beloved classics like “Family Feud” and “The Price is Right.” Reflecting on their family dynamics, he mentioned, “When it came time for Jeopardy!, our dad, Ed, would commandeer the remote and take over the room.”
In the interview, Kelce touched on various aspects of the show and his enduring love for football, although he refrained from delving into his romantic life with Taylor Swift. The conversation was refined for clarity and brevity.
When asked about the most challenging aspect of hosting a game show, Kelce explained, “Establishing control of the atmosphere was likely my greatest hurdle. It’s essential for everyone to grasp the rules and their position in the game.”
Kelce, who is accustomed to the fast-paced nature of football, admitted that the rhythmic wait times and multiple takes in television production posed a different set of challenges. “It’s an entirely different realm, no doubt about it. I had to carefully strategize my caffeine intake. Usually, I drink it in the morning and maintain that energy, but I needed to pace myself throughout the day to sustain a consistent energy level.”
When probed whether he had viewed any episodes yet and his feelings about it, he conveyed, “I’ll definitely watch, but I find myself nervous about seeing my performance. I’ll watch to critique myself; I’m my toughest critic. I focus mainly on my mistakes, whether on the field or elsewhere.”
Asked about which subject matter in the show he would struggle with, Kelce confessed, “There’s an astronomy category that I completely blanked on. I had no clue about that, and frankly, I didn’t realize it was part of the elementary curriculum.”
He also co-hosts a successful podcast with his brother, leading to a question about whether this experience has boosted his confidence in the spotlight. Kelce replied, “I’ve always tried to stay true to myself. I attribute that to my parents and my upbringing — being confident in your identity while upholding strong values and ethics. Hosting ‘SNL’ a few years back was immensely fun and helped propel me to where I am now.”
Kelce was then asked about his dream celebrity guest for “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” He enthusiastically responded, “My brother Jason would be phenomenal on this show. Without a doubt, if I had to pick someone, it would be him. He would enjoy it and provide some amusing responses even if he wasn’t sure of the correct answers.”
Finally, when discussing his football career, he was asked if he ever considered other positions besides tight end. Kelce admitted, “At heart, I’m a quarterback. Although I can’t throw anymore, I loved handling the ball on every play. As I evolved in my career, I discovered that tight end aligns more with my athleticism and mindset. I prefer not to adhere to strict rules, something that a quarterback’s role requires.”
