Jason Kelce recently opened up about how before starting New Heights podcast he and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce would go months without talking, despite being brothers competing in the NFL.
The pair have always enjoyed a close connection but even fraternal bonds can be tested by distance, busy careers, and personal lives, but for Jason and Travis Kelce, a simple yet life-changing decision helped them reconnect.
Starting New Heights in 2022 ahead of Super Bowl LVII between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles significantly improved his relationship with his younger brother; as the 37-year-old admitted that before, their conversations were sporadic.
“The best part of the podcast is just getting to talk to Trav,” Jason told Bustle. “Before we started the podcast, we would go months sometimes without talking to each other.
“The podcast forces us once a week to sit down and talk to each other. We both have a lot going on in our lives, and it’s been fun.
“After all these years being in different cities, and fighting to make it in the football landscape, to rekindle the amount of times that we talk and the closeness that we had our entire lives.”
Jason reveals support role, not mentor role
Growing up, a younger brother often looks to their older sibling to show them the way and how to navigate the world and Jason definitely dad that for Travis, proving to be an instrumental force to the 35-year-old making it to the NFL to begin with.
But due to their demanding careers, the brothers spent years living in different states, making it difficult to stay in touch but Jason is always there for his brother, although he admitted he prefers to be a supporter rather than a mentor.
“I try not to be too much of an advice person and more like a support person [for Travis],” Jason, who won the Super Bowl in 2017, added. “If he asks me for stuff or my opinion on whatnot, I’ll be there for him.
“I’ve never tried to tell him what to do or how to do things. I firmly believe you’ve got to go and learn that stuff for yourself and figure that out.”
With Jason retiring from the NFL in March 2024 after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, he has more time to support Travis, who remains a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jason was in the stands for Super Bowl LIX, as his brother’s team battled against his former Eagles teammates and suffered a brutal 40-22 loss.
