Tag: New Heights

Travis Kelce proudly said ‘Go Birds!’ in the latest New Heights episode and Eagles fans loved it

He had a great reason for it.

Despite the two teams meeting in last year’s Super Bowl and looking like serious contenders to repeat that matchup, few would consider the Eagles and Chiefs as actual rivals. They simply don’t play each other often enough for that.

And with brothers Travis and Jason Kelce playing for the Chiefs and Eagles respectively, the two root for each other when they aren’t opponents. Still, that doesn’t mean they’ll be regularly shouting “Go Birds!” or “Go Chiefs!” in public … unless they have a good reason for it.

During Wednesday’s edition of the New Heights podcast, Travis had a fantastic reason to shout out his brother’s team.

Eagles superfan, actor and Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob McElhenney joined the podcast to discuss the auction for Kylie Kelce’s letterman’s jacket, which raised money for the Eagles Autism Foundation. That was when McElhenney pointed out that his $62,000 bid wasn’t enough. Instead, McElhenney’s wife and Always Sunny co-star Kaitlin Olson jumped in the frame and revealed that she outbid McElhenney with a $100,000 bid of her own. What a plot twist.

Given the great cause, Travis was pumped about the news and said, “Go Birds, baby!”

Jason, Rob and Kaitlin all loved to hear that … as did Eagles fans on X/Twitter.

Could Taylor Swift appear on the Kelces’ latest New Heights podcast? Her fans hope so

Taylor Swift could break the internet on Wednesday on the Travis and Jason Kelce podcast.

Let’s piece it all together.

Taylor Swift, per her fans tracking her plane and other sources, landed in Kansas City on Monday. That means she’s probably reuniting with Travis Kelce.

And what does Travis tape on Tuesdays? Yep, the New Heights podcast with his brother Jason Kelce. 

That could mean — and I’m TOTALLY speculating here — that Swift could break the internet and do a cameo on it, whether on video or audio or both. Or, as some people are speculating, maybe all those times Travis was distracted by text messages could happen in real life, with Travis looking to Taylor off camera.

Either way, this is something Swift fans are really, really, REALLY hoping for:

We’ll find out on Wednesday!

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce praises Tony Gonzalez after breaking franchise record

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce praises legend Tony Gonzalez after breaking the franchise’s record for receiving yards

The career of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce continues to rise to new heights, more than his work on the popular podcast series. He became the franchise’s all-time leader in career receiving yards during the team’s Week 9 victory, etching his place in Chiefs history over another legendary tight end.

On the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast with his brother Jason, Kelce reflected on breaking the franchise’s receiving yards record held previously by Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez.

“I should have broken this record like three games ago,” Kelce said. “I’m just sitting here either way. It’s an absolute [expletive] honor ever since I came here to Kansas City to be mentored by the greatest tight end to ever do it in Tony Gonzalez. To try and fill his shoes every single day and try to reach some of the milestones he’s set like [the] receiving yards in the franchise history. It’s just an honor to even be here in K.C. to know greatness has walked [these] halls, and I can be a part of that greatness.”

Kelce is still seeking the Chiefs’ franchise record for receptions as he currently stands at 871, trailing only Gonzales’ 916. The job is far from over, but Kelce has essentially secured his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jason and Travis Kelce have high praise for Commanders QB Sam Howell

The Kelce brothers with some high praise for Sam Howell.

Sam Howell and the Washington Commanders took the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles to the brink twice in the last five weeks. Unfortunately for the Commanders, it wasn’t enough to pull off the upset either time. The Eagles won the first meeting, 34-31 in overtime, and last week’s rematch, 38-31.

After the two NFC East rivals played in Week 4, Philadelphia Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay came away impressed with Howell.

The Eagles may have won the rematch, but Howell impressed another Eagles star: All-Pro center Jason Kelce

In the latest edition of the “New Heights” podcast, along with his younger brother Travis, Jason Kelce praised the Commanders, specifically Howell.

“Sam Howell, man, when he’s on, it was impressive, it was methodical,” Jason Kelce said.

Travis Kelce, too, was impressed. “He can sling it, man. He can sling it. The Fighting Bieniemy’s, man,” the younger Kelce said.

But Jason Kelce wasn’t done praising Howell.

“Yeah, but it was like, typically, when you’re playing quarterbacks that are not well known if you make them drive the field and do, like, short dink-dunk passes, that’s hard to continually do,” Jason Kelce said.

“Not for Sam Howell. He was very on-point, he was executing it, he was taking some shots occasionally, but a lot of it was, it felt like it was death by a thousand slants. I’m like, ‘What are we doing here?’ Can we get into something for a slant?’ All I do know is that Sam Howell has played two really good games against us. The Commanders have played two really good games, offensively, against us. I asked Eric Bieniemy after the game, ‘I’m like, yo brother, what do you seeing, EB? How do we stop this thing? What are you doing to us?’ They’ve kind of had our number.”

Earning praise and respect from opposing players means much more than a PFF grade. While Howell must consistently string these types of performances together to show the Commanders he can be the guy moving forward, he’s already impressed two of the NFL’s best players.

You can watch the full podcast here. The Commanders’ talk begins around 36:53.

Jason and Travis Kelce both say NFL is ‘overdoing’ showing Taylor Swift during Chiefs games

The Kelce brothers shared their honest thoughts on the NFL’s treatment of Taylor Swift.

There’s no denying it. Taylor Swift is a mega music star bigger than the game of football. So when Swift shows up to Kansas City Chiefs games to support tight end Travis Kelce, she will naturally have a lot of eyes and attention on her.

This matter is something that Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, center for the Philadelphia Eagles, addressed on the latest episode of their New Heights podcast. Jason asked Travis to distance his feelings for Swift for a moment and offer his honest opinion about how the NFL treats celebrities like Swift on its game telecasts. Ultimately, while Travis maintained he appreciates the fun aspects of it, he did agree with his brother that “they’re overdoing it a little, for sure.”

You can find the sequence and discussion below at the 1:06:46 timestamp via the New Heights YouTube channel:

For context, here’s the key part of the brothers’ discussion about Swift and how the league is so unaccustomed to treating celebrities at games in general:

“Take away your feelings for Taylor [Swift],” Jason Kelce said. “What is your honest opinion on how the NFL is treating celebrities at the games?”

“I think it’s fun when they show who’s at the game,” Travis Kelce said. “I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere, brings a little bit more to what you’re watching. But at the same time, they’re overdoing it a little bit, for sure, especially my situation. [But] I think they’re just trying to have fun with it.”

There you have it. Ultimately, even while the Kelces do think some of it is overdone, they also understand the extra Swift attention on NFL games is harmless. The Chiefs next play on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Don’t be surprised to see Swift there.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones reveals thoughts on missing training camp during holdout

#Chiefs DT Chris Jones reveals thoughts on missing training camp during holdout | from: @EdEastonJr

The uncertainty surrounding Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones’ availability for this season dominated the offseason. Jones would go on to hold out, missing every team activity before returning and playing a significant role in the team’s first regular season victory in Jacksonville.

On the latest episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce (Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment), The Kelce brothers spent the entire episode catching up with Jones about his career so far in the NFL and responding to Travis’ request to return to the Chiefs during an earlier episode.

“I watched the show when you were talking about it, and I was like, ‘I miss my dog! I miss my dog.’ It wasn’t the same, bro.” Jones explained. “I’m like, I gotta get back. Watching them play, bro. I’m like – I’m going back next week, man. Let’s work something out; let’s do it.”

Jones returned to the team after agreeing to a new one-year deal for this season ahead of Week 2. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle followed up with his feelings about missing training camp and his whereabouts.

“Listen, bro – training camp? Staying in St. Joseph, Missouri? In a dorm? It’s the best thing I could have missed,” Jones said. “I was in Miami, soaking up the sun. I was tanning on the beach (for) a couple(of) days, bro. I think it’s the best thing for me to miss training camp.”

Jones worked out near his home in Miami during the holdout to remain in shape and handle the harsh Florida elements that awaited the team in their Week 2 victory over the Jaguars.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce clarifies comments on Chris Jones’ holdout

#Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce clarified his comments on Chris Jones holdout after addressing the lineman’s absence on his podcast last week. | from: @EdEastonJr

The start of the 2023 NFL season is this Thursday, with the Kansas City Chiefs kicking things off at home against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs have the opportunity to defend their Super Bowl title with many returning players, one of whom likely won’t be on the field this week due to his ongoing holdout.

Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones remains absent from the team, with negotiations regarding his contract still an issue. Fellow All-Pro and teammate Travis Kelce made a suggested plea for Jones to return to the team during the most recent episode of his New Heights podcast with brother Jason Kelce. During Monday’s press conference, Kelce addressed his comments on the podcast and revealed his last communication with Jones.

“I was more so just trying to have some fun with talking about the situation. Try and bring light to it just trying to be funny,” said Kelce, “But at the end of the day, you know, Chris has his situation. He has his reasons. It ain’t none of my business. I’m trying to win football games, and hopefully, we can get him back as soon as possible because I know how great of a player he really is.”

Jones joined the Chiefs tight end recently in filming a commercial for DIRECTV, which is ironically the last time they both spoke, according to Kelce. He didn’t want to pry into his business and explained to reporters his reasons.

“I don’t know what his situation is,” Kelce explained. “I stay out of everybody else’s situation in terms of that, just so I don’t wrap my head around. You know what I’m doing but or what they’re doing based off of my intentions.

“I just, I just keep it moving, man. Hopefully, like I said, we can get it back. And we can just be the best football team we possibly can. But I never based someone else’s situations or their decision-making off of, you know, things that I may have done. I just don’t think it’s fair.”

Kelce did mention that he had a blast working with Jones on the comedic commercial during the offseason.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce speaks out on Chris Jones’ holdout

Travis Kelce addressed Chris Jones’ holdout on the “New Heights” podcast ahead of the #Chiefs’ regular season kickoff next week.

Chris Jones’ holdout came to define the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp and preseason, and tight end Travis Kelce has had enough of it.

On a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, which the All-Pro pass catcher hosts with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, Travis addressed Jones’ continued absence from team activities, and pleaded for the lineman’s return.

“Chris,” Kelce asked sheepishly, “Can you please come back? You’re really scaring me, man. I don’t get it, you must know something that I don’t know because I just don’t get it. I really want to get another Super Bowl ring with you, brother. This is me begging you to just come back and play football for the Chiefs. Please, we need you.”

Kelce’s comments come ahead of Kansas City’s regular season kickoff against the Detroit Lions on September 7, which could prove to be a difficult game to win for the Chiefs without the help of their All-Pro pass rusher.

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Chiefs TE Travis Kelce shot down in attempt to connect with Taylor Swift

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce tried to kindle a relationship with Taylor Swift at her recent concert at Arrowhead Stadium.

Just before reporting to the Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, tight end Travis Kelce was briefly distracted by pop star Taylor Swift, who recently performed at Arrowhead Stadium.

Kelce was in attendance for the concert and had intentions of currying favor with the iconic singer by attempting to give her a friendship bracelet with his name on it. He recounted the story on his popular “New Heights” podcast, which he co-hosts with his older brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.

“I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings,” Travis explained. “So I was a little [hurt] that I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her.”

Questioned by the elder Kelce about his manufacture of the aforementioned bracelet, the tight end went on to elaborate on the finer points of Taylor Swift fandom.

Said Travis: “If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it… She doesn’t meet anybody [at shows], or at least she didn’t want to meet me, so I took it personal.”

Though his pursuit of a date with Swift may have met an abrupt end, Kelce managed to come away from her show with a story that is sure to stick with him for years to come.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce thinks NFL’s new fair catch kickoff rule is ‘absolutely stupid’

On the latest episode of “New Heights”, #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce ranted about the NFL’s new kickoff rule change taking the excitement out of the game’s opening play.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is the latest to speak out against the NFL’s new fair catch rule on kickoffs. This comes after both Tommy Townsend and Andy Reid weighed in, expressing valid concerns over the new rule. Townsend’s frustration came from the NFL passing a rule that players and coaches were against. Reid thinks the change is a slippery slope that could lead to the league playing “flag football.”

If you’re unfamiliar with the rule change, the league is disincentivizing kickoff returns in the name of player safety. In 2023, they’ll allow any fair catch on kickoffs of drop-kicks to act as a touchback and be placed at the 25-yard line.

Travis Kelce discussed the change with his brother Jason Kelce on the latest episode of their “New Heights” podcast. Neither brother likes the change, but Travis was particularly harsh in his evaluation. His primary concern — taking the excitement out of the opening play of the game.

“I think this is absolutely stupid,” Travis said. “I don’t think this is making the game safer. I think it’s making it more boring and taking a lot of excitement out of the game’s opening play.

“Boo. It’s whack and it’s taking away from the excitement of a kickoff. I love watching opening kickoffs.

“It just deflates the excitement of the first kickoff. Everybody used to like. . . *imitate crowd noise* . . . and it’s exciting and then you see that first like contact. You hear it. Everybody is just running full speed at each other. Heads are banging. Guys are running full speed at each other and then a guy gets close-lined and does a backflip. And you’d like, ‘FOOTBALL! THIS IS ELECTRIC.’ and you’re just going to ****ing turn it into, ‘Bloop, place the ball at the 25-yard line. Let’s get the quarterback out here.'”

The Kelce brothers seem to think that if you’re going to make this change the NFL might as well just get rid of the kickoff altogether. The reality is that could be the next step, especially if the NFL doesn’t see the results they’re hoping to see with this one-year trial run of the rule on kickoffs.

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