There’s some new mystery and intrigue surrounding Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and how he actually pronounces his last name.
Reddit user On_my_way_slow_down brought this subject to the attention of Chiefs Kingdom, questioning why Andy Reid pronounces Kelce like “Kelss.” He wondered if it was a nickname used by the coach and others or if “Kelss” was the correct pronunciation of Kelce.
Of course, Twitter took this and ran with it, revealing conflicting information about the proper way to pronounce Kelce. The main confusion comes from a pair of videos, during which Kelce seems to reveal that the proper pronunciation of his last name is in fact “Kelss” and not “Kel-see.”
The first was on Barstool Sports’ Bussin’ with the Boys podcast.
Please tell me you are kidding @tkelce is my whole life a lie??? pic.twitter.com/FDeOEnuMm6
— Braiden Turner (@bturner23) July 14, 2021
The second was in the lead-up to the AFC title game against the Tennessee Titans in 2020.
Via YouTube, Travis Kelce's pronounced it 'the other way' before. This was in the lead-up to the 2020 AFC Championship vs. Titans #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/G9mF3GMfLy
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) July 14, 2021
The conflicting information, showing the Kelce’s name is pronounced “Kel-see” comes from numerous video appearances where Kelce and his brother Jason have pronounced their last name as “Kel-see.” It seems weird that they’d purposefully pronounce their names wrong, right?
Of course, there is also the Chiefs’ official media guide pronunciation.
Per the #Chiefs' media pronunciation guide. Kelce is pronounced Kel-see. Are they right? Are they wrong? Who knows. pic.twitter.com/7XiA2AYjU2
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) July 14, 2021
But even that might be an error.
So, we've been saying Kelce wrong this whole time?? pic.twitter.com/4i8LbUWLZ1
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 14, 2021
When Kelce’s teammates and coaches found out, they reacted on Twitter.
Bro he never corrected us once https://t.co/dukbRjSwev
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 14, 2021
Him or his brother. I have been wrong for 11 years. https://t.co/0QhRBpX9wJ
— Rick Burkholder (@proatc) July 14, 2021
Kells? Kelcey? Kelce?
Halare? Helare? Helaire?
Heel? Heal? Hill?
Harmen? Hartmen? Hardman?
This gone be tough 🤦🏾♂️— GLYDE (@Clydro_22) July 14, 2021
😂 I’ve been saying Travis Kelce(y) the whole time. My apologies @tkelce
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) July 14, 2021
So what do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Have we all been mispronouncing Kelce’s name this whole time? Is the “Kel-see” pronunciation simply a stage name that he and his brother have taken up for the NFL? Be sure to share your thoughts with us on Facebook and Twitter.
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