On Monday night, when Philadelphia Eagles supporters watched the seconds tick down on their team’s season, and tears welling in star center Jason Kelce’s eyes, signaling an apparent choice to put up his cleats, it was difficult not to sense the end of an era.”There are thirteen seasons. Seven-time Professional Bowler. Six-time All-Pro. One Super Bowl. One #1 podcast. “And one Sexiest Man Alive title,” ESPN commentator Pat McAfee added the next day on his show, listing Jason’s professional accomplishments. “Hell of a run….” But for the Brothers Kelce, “the run” appears to be far from done, even if Jason has played his last down in the NFL. If last February’s Super Bowl LVII, in which Travis’ Kansas City Chiefs defeated Jason’s Eagles, touched off the dizzying hype of Kelce Mania, the ensuing мonths — craммed with their chart-topping New Heights podcast, the record-breaking Aмazon Priмe docuмentary Kelce, a slew of endorseмents and Travis’ high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift have only supercharged the fascination.
“It’s been surreal and a fun ride to be on,” their mother Donna Kelce, 71, tells PEOPLE about her unique perspective on the phenomenon.”Being able to spend time with my children, experience new locations, and meet new people. And I’m extremely delighted they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor because it’s [been] a long journey to get where they are now.”To learn more about Jason and Travis Kelce, grab the latest issue of PEOPLE, out on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here. The Kelces’ success is attributed to their easy charm and undeniable attractiveness, as well as their willingness to goof on each other about what their particular scented candle would smell like. Father Ed Kelce, 72, adds that easygoing brotherly banter is nothing new.”I’ve been listening to the shtick between these [two] since they were toddlers,” he told PEOPLE in October. “The way they engage on the podcast has always been the same. And that’s always fun to watch.”
Jason and Travis grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, participating in various sports and causing mischief, such as when a bocce ball passed through the family car’s windscreen. ( “Those kinds of things happened constantly when they were growing up,” Donna told me.) However, they learned strong loyalty to one another through their parents’ loyalty to them. Donna reveals that neither her brother nor her husband’s sister had any children. “[Jason and Travis] yelled at me because they didn’t have any cousins to play with on Christmas.” We were tight-knit and constantly tried to help one other as much as we could.”Travis shared with PEOPLE in April what he learned from his parents, who remained married for the sake of their children until Travis departed to join Jason at the University of Cincinnati: “My entire upbringing [was about] learning to feel people… I was always expected to be a provider, not a drain, and to contribute rather than take.
Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on everything from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest topics. Jason and Travis now have a lot to give, including investments in everything from F1 racing (Travis) to a Mississippi cattle farm (Jason). Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62), following the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Travis’ management team recently revealed to The New York Times their aim to make the nine-time Pro Bowl tight end as “famous as the Rock,” referring to Dwayne Johnson’s transformation from WWE star to A-list actor.
“He enjoyed Saturday Night Live,” a source tells PEOPLE on Travis’ March 2023 hosting stint. “He had a blast. After retirement, he plans to pursue acting and hosting.”Travis will continue to develop his character on the New Heights podcast, facing off against Jason, his most worthy opponent. “They’re just as coмpetitive as adults today, always jabbing at each other [about] who’s the best,” Donna explains with a laugh. “It does not stop. “They are each other’s biggest fans.”