Travis Kelce has spent much of the past year at the center of pop culture thanks to his high-profile relationship with global superstar Taylor Swift.
But this time the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has gone in a completely different direction.
Video shows Travis Kelce appears to be done with the Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes injury
On a recent episode of the brothers’ wildly popular New Heights podcast, Kelce briefly stepped away from football and celebrity headlines to tap into something far more nostalgic: Pokmon.
The exchange began innocently enough before spiraling into a hilarious sibling argument that immediately resonated with longtime fans of the franchise.
Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center, appeared genuinely stunned when his younger brother referenced a newer Pokmon.
“This is legitimately a Pokmon? You weren’t f**king around? I was the Pokmon fan! You didn’t even know how to play!” Jason said, setting the tone for the back-and-forth.
Jason and Travis battle for Pokmon knowledge
Travis, clearly enjoying himself, fired back without hesitation. “I was the Pokmon fan, what the f**k are you talking about? Oh look, Jason, Bellibolt!”
That mention only escalated things. Jason brushed it off entirely, claiming that if a Pokmon wasn’t part of the original generation, it simply did not count.
He doubled down by insisting that anything outside the original lineup was irrelevant, saying that if it wasn’t one of the “original 151,” it didn’t matter.
Rather than retreat, Travis leaned fully into the moment. He began reeling off classic names that instantly struck a chord with longtime fans: Sandshrew, Articuno, Thunderbolt, and Zapdos – all staples of the original red and blue Pokmon games.
The exchange quickly went viral, with fans applauding Kelce for knowing his Pokmon history and playfully “defeating” his older brother in the debate.
A different side of Travis Kelce
For many fans, the moment was refreshing. Over the past year, Travis Kelce has been closely linked to Taylor Swift, with cameras often catching her cheering him on from luxury suites during Chiefs games.
Their relationship has drawn new audiences to the NFL, blending sports and pop culture in a way few relationships ever have.
Yet this podcast clip reminded listeners that Kelce is, at his core, still a self-described kid at heart. His willingness to passionately argue about Pokmon – complete with obscure references and trash talk – resonated with fans who grew up collecting cards and memorizing Pokdex entries.
The contrast has only amplified his appeal. One moment, he’s catching touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs under the brightest lights in football.
The next, he’s debating fictional creatures with his brother while thousands of listeners laugh along. It is that balance between elite athlete and relatable personality that continues to set him apart.
For Swifties, the clip offered another glimpse into why Taylor Swift herself has spoken so fondly about Kelce‘s sense of humor and authenticity. For Pokmon fans, however, it was validation that one of the NFL‘s biggest stars shares their childhood obsession.
As the Chiefs continue their season and Kelce remains a fixture in both sports and entertainment headlines, moments like this reinforce why his popularity transcends football.
Whether he’s scoring touchdowns, hosting a podcast, or passionately defending the original 151 Pokmon, Travis Kelce has proven he knows exactly how to connect with fans – no Pok Ball required.
