Travis Kelce made his reality TV debut on the E! dating show, Catching Kelce in October 2016. Kelce willingly participated in the reality TV dating experience while he was still a relatively unknown football player.
At the same time, Taylor Swiftand Joe Alwyn's romance was confirmed before she disappeared from the public eye and began her 'Reputation' era.
Despite nods to romance and references to finding a life partner, Travis Kelce was not seeking love in Catching Kelce. Kelce told E! News that he wasn't in a hurry to reach a decisive outcome in romance because he was focused on advancing his NFL career.
During an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show in 2017, Kelce admitted that he did not find love on the show despite briefly dating the winner, Maya Benberry, who later accused Kelce of being a narcissist and cheater.
RelatedKelce also revealed to The Pivot podcast that he initially turned down the offer, but eventually gave in because of the allure of a situation where he could earn six figures in two weeks.
"...I need to have money down the line. There were times in the off-season, I was avoiding the rent lady. It was that bad..."
Travis Kelce chose Maya Benberry as the winner of the show despite harboring reservations. Benberry was unpopular with the other girls on Catching Kelce because of her attitude, but Kelce was unfazed by the drama surrounding her.
Top 20 Contestants in Catching Kelce: | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Profession | Place of Origin |
Jordan | Esthetician | Arizona |
Loreina | Stylist | California |
Lexi | Entrepreneur | Georgia |
Salma | Financial Advisor | Connecticut |
Crystal | Pharmaceutical Sales Rep | Florida |
Kara | Model | Kansas |
Avery | Model | Colorado |
Maya | Life Coach | Kentucky |
Anika | Comedian | Minnesota |
CeeCee | Make-up Artist | Michigan |
Veronica Rich | Music Producer | Mississippi |
Jessica | Cocktail Server | Nevada |
Lauren | Gym Owner | Missouri |
Veronica | Pastry Chef | New Jersey |
Ashley | Real Estate Agent | New Mexico |
Victoria | Flight Attendant | Rhode Island |
Jenny | Marketing | Oregon |
London | Flight Attendant | Tennessee |
LoLo | Fitness Trainer/Model | Washington |
Jamie Leigh | Writer | West Virginia |
At the time, Kelce expressed his concerns to Benberry, "I love your confidence, but, at times, it does get overconfident. It kind of shows arrogance. I have been attracted to women like that my entire life and those relationships didn't work because of that. I don't want that anymore...."
Travis Kelce's sartorial choices on Catching Kelce showcased a mix of hits and misses. His eclectic wardrobe included a bright red suit, a plaid suit, a neon Hawaiian shirt paired with white cutoff shorts and a backward snapback, a short-sleeved sweatshirt, a bright blue suit layered over a vibrant salmon-colored tribal print tank, neon yellow shoes, a shirt with a studded collar, unusually long tops, and a cardigan.
2:05 RelatedKelce expressed a nonchalant attitude about taking fashion risks. "Obviously, not every look is for everybody… I'm not going to be offended if somebody says I look like a clown if I got a fun hat on and some wacky jeans. It is what it is, I'm gonna have fun with it…"
Travis Kelce is close to his older brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. Jason joined Travis in one episode of Catching Kelce, acting as a coach in a two-handed touch football match. Presently, the Kelce brothers co-host the New Heights podcast.
Contract Terms | Signing Bonus | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
$57,250,000 (2021 - 2025) | $10,545,304 | $14,312,500 |
$46,842,000 (2016 - 2021) | $10,000,000 | $9,368,400 |
$3,126,304 (2013 - 2016) | $703,304 | $781,576 |
Despite their parents' long-divorced status, the Kelce family remains close, with both Donna and Ed Kelce systematically attending each of their sons' games to support them. Additionally, Travis is described as the perfect uncle by Jason.
Travis Kelce excelled at maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere during Catching Kelce. Throughout the show, Kelce consistently showcased his humorous and playful nature while navigating tough conversations and conflicts.
For example, despite an outright altercation between two women occurring in front of him in one episode, he chose to ignore it.
"I love competition every day but have zero tolerance for small, petty drama that can be avoided."
Travis Kelce displayed a lack of interest in pageant girls during Catching Kelce. Kelce sent home one contestant who was a pageant queen when she provided answers that he perceived as overly perfect and polished. Kelce also eliminated a woman he considered among the most attractive, feeling she was accustomed to men pursuing her.
RelatedKelce articulated his criteria for a partner and emphasized the importance of being grounded. He explicitly mentioned his aversion to being high maintenance and expressed a desire for a partner reminiscent of his mother, Donna Kelce, whom he affectionately described as an "absolute angel."
"You got to have some sort of sweetness to you. If you're arrogant, or you think you're snooty or just higher above people, that's the biggest turn-off for me."
According to Salon, during the period when he was a rising NFL star, Travis Kelce navigated reality TV dating without coming across as arrogant. Kelce handled the unpredictability of the show and displayed enthusiasm when the women shared their passions and careers.
Travis Kelce's Dating History:
According to Vanity Fair, Kelce maintains a laid-back attitude regarding the prospect of dating someone who has previously been involved with a famous figure. Kelce asserted that dating someone linked previously to a famous name is not a deal-breaker, "If anything, it boosts you up a bit!"
Travis Kelce recalled experiences from his past that instilled a much-needed routine and structure in his life. The first was when Kelce faced expulsion from his high school football team for failing his French class. Another incident occurred at the University of Cincinnati, where Kelce was suspended for the entire 2010 season after testing positive for marijuana.
Kelce's 2013 NFL Draft was all thanks to his brother, Jason, who advocated for him with incoming Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. This gave Kelce a chance despite his reputation. Per Vanity Fair, Travis expressed his gratitude towards his brother:
"I'm forever in debt to this guy for putting his name, our name, putting his honor on the line to get me another chance. When I say I owe it all to him, I really do."
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