Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently shared a funny family story involving an early morning wake-up call from his older brother, retired NFL star Jason Kelce. Speaking on the October 21 episode of their New Heights podcast, Travis recounted how a 7:30 a.m. phone call disrupted their household and left his superstar partner, Taylor Swift, unimpressed.
The early morning drama centered around “Squatober,” a month-long fitness challenge dedicated to lower-body weight training. Jason, 38, had traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to visit Travis and Swift. Before making the trip, the former Philadelphia Eagles center consulted with his younger brother to ensure he wouldn’t miss a single day of his strict lifting regimen.
According to Travis, Jason asked how many weight plates were available in his basement gym. Rather than counting the exact numbers, Travis simply listed the equipment on hand. Cautious as ever, Jason packed two additional 25-pound weight plates into his luggage for the flight.
“Absolutely hilarious, the most meathead thing I’ve ever seen Jason do,” Travis joked during the episode.
Travis Kelce Feared the Worst During Early Phone Call
Despite Jason’s proactive planning, his dedication to the squat challenge struck at an ungodly hour. Travis admitted that his groggy mind immediately jumped to conclusions when his phone started buzzing on his bedside table at 7:30 a.m.
“I get a call at 7:30 in the morning. In my mind, I’m thinking worst-case scenario,” Travis explained. “I’m like, ‘Oh, s—. Is everything okay?’ Maybe after the run Jason’s in the hospital, he blew his knee out or something.”
Instead of a medical emergency, the retired lineman was simply looking for a workout partner downstairs. When Travis groggily answered, Jason casually asked, “Yeah, can you come spot me?”
The shift from a perceived crisis to a routine bench press request sent both brothers into laughter on the podcast. Travis noted that because he currently has an ankle wrap, he wouldn’t have been able to safely assist with a heavy back squat anyway, but bench pressing was manageable.
“I’m like, ‘Cool, ‘cause I wouldn’t be able to save you if it was a f—ing back squat,’” Travis recalled telling his brother. “‘Alright, cool, yeah, I’ll come down.’”
Taylor Swift’s Uncensored Reaction
While Travis was ultimately willing to roll out of bed and head down to the basement gym, Taylor Swift was far less accommodating of the early morning intrusion.
As Travis got out of bed to assist his older brother, the 14-time Grammy Award winner made her feelings about the abrupt wake-up call clear.
“I’m walking out of the room, and Taylor’s like, ‘This is f—ed up,’” Travis shared, laughing as he recalled his partner’s blunt assessment. “And I’m just like, ‘Nah, it’ll be good. It’ll be good!’”
Despite the early interruption, family ties remained strong. Both Jason and Swift were later spotted cheering on Travis at Arrowhead Stadium as the Chiefs secured a 22-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, maintaining their undefeated season.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kelce Brothers
Who is older, Travis Kelce or Jason Kelce?
Jason Kelce is the older brother, born on November 5, 1987. Travis Kelce was born on October 5, 1989.
What is “Squatober”?
Squatober is a fitness and strength-training challenge that spans the entire month of October, focusing heavily on daily squat workouts and lower-body development.
What podcast do Travis and Jason Kelce host?
The brothers host the weekly sports and comedy podcast titled New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.
Did Jason Kelce retire from the NFL?
Yes, Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2024 after spending his entire 13-season professional career playing center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
