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Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has already secured his legacy as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to retire from his NFL career.
“I know I’m 34 years old, I’m going to be 35 soon, but I love doing it right here in the middle of the heat in June,” Kelce said before the Chiefs minicamp meeting in June 2024. “I love going to work every day and doing this.”
According to a study by RBC Asset Managementthe average retirement age for NFL players is 27.6, but Kelce added that he plans to continue playing football “until the wheels fall off.”
Travis’ brother, Jason Kelcewho is two years older, set an example of a graceful exit when he retired of the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the 2023 season. During a June 2024 episode of their podcast “New Heights”, Jason gave his brother some retirement wisdom.
Jason Kelce has been a part of the Philadelphia Eagles offense for more than a decade, but has been realistic about the idea of retiring before officially stepping down in March 2024. Drafted in 2011, Kelce became the first rookie in Eagles history to start. all 16 regular season games at the center. He (…)
“That’s when you start to know whenever that time comes and you’re going to have to leave,” Jason said. “(It’s) a fight with your body, like you were able to do something you can’t do anymore. That’s when you fight it to get it back. That’s when it gets difficult. Bottom line, everyone knows when it’s time for them.’
Unlike Jason, Travis doesn’t have a family to factor into his retirement – Jason shares daughters Wyatt, Elliotte and Bennett with his wife. Kylie Kelce — but is in a committed relationship with Taylor Swift. Although a source exclusively said so My Weekly in May 2024, which Travis has “no plans” to propose to Swift soon their romance will be as strong as their careers.
“I love when Taylor comes out and supports me and enjoys the game with family and friends,” Travis said during a January 2024 appearance. The Pat McAfee Show.
Keep scrolling to see everything Kelce had to say about his NFL retirement plans, or lack thereof:
April 2023
Travis said he had “not given much thought” to retirement during the interview Message from the podium.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are all anyone can talk about. Swift and Kelce were first linked in July 2023 when the Kansas City Chiefs shared that he tried to ask Swift to participate in her Eras Tour. “I was a bit taken aback, I couldn’t give her one of the bracelets I (…)
“I absolutely love what I do, I love doing it here in Kansas City,” he said. “I don’t even want to think about putting a time limit on it. My body still feels good, I still feel like I can help the Kansas City Chiefs win. Plus, an explosion comes into the building every day.”
June 2023
At Chiefs minicamp, Travis reiterated his desire to continue playing football.
“I love this game,” he continued. “I know I’m going to miss it when I’m done playing. … At 33, 34 years old, I play for a living and I think that’s something — you know, I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to lose the excitement I had from the game when I was little.’
November 2023
The athlete admitted during the interview that the injury made him think about retirement “more than anyone could have ever imagined”. The Wall Street Journal.
“That’s the one thing I’ve never been open about,” he said. “Discomfort. Pain. Lingering injury – the 10 operations I’ve had, I can still feel every operation to this day.’
January 2024
“I have no reason to stop playing football,” Travis told reporters at a news conference. He noted that opportunities such as his March 2023 Saturday Night Live hosting a concert gave him a glimpse of his future prospects, but he still he wasn’t ready to leave from his first love.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do a few things outside of the sports world that I’ve enjoyed, like being on camera,” he explained. “The SNL things have kind of opened me up to new happiness and a new career path, but it’s funny to me that I’m even saying that at this point in my career because I think it’s a lot further than now.”
June 2024
During the press conference, Travis said he has no plans to retire “any time soon” and said he “really can’t put a time frame” on his retirement from the NFL.
“I am he will do this until the wheels fall offhe said. “I definitely understand that it’s at the end of the journey (more) than at the beginning. I just have to make sure I’m ready for football as well.”
Travis added that he still gets a lot of joy from his NFL career.
“I love going to work every day,” he said. “Of course I know there are opportunities for me outside of football. I think when I come into this building, you have to have the perspective that I’m a little kid.”
January 2025
During the performance at The Stephen A. Smith Show, Travis denied he was ready to retire at the urging of girlfriend Swift.
“He fully encourages me to enjoy playing this game,” Travis said. “He loves going to Arrowhead (Stadium) and going to the games and cheering me on, so I’ve got all the support in the world to keep chasing those dreams.”
