Travis Kelce Looks Unrecognizable in Throwback Photo from NFL Combine
Before achieving greatness as one of the NFL’s top tight ends, Travis Kelce was merely a fresh-faced graduate from the University of Cincinnati.
In celebration of the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft Combine, set to commence on Thursday, February 27, in Indianapolis, the Kansas City Chiefs posted a nostalgic photo on Instagram featuring a 23-year-old Kelce from his combine in 2013, excited to showcase his skills to NFL scouts.
“Grown up and glowed up! #NFLCombine,” the Chiefs wrote, along with accompanying photos of Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Drue Tranquill, and other teammates from their combine experiences.
After three seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats—which included a suspension for marijuana use during the 2010 season—the Chiefs drafted him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, selecting him 63rd overall.
Time flies, doesn’t it? The Kansas City Chiefs are reminiscing about the changes players like Travis Kelce have undergone since becoming part of the team. “Where does the time go @tkelce?! 🤯,” the Chiefs’ official page on X posted alongside side-by-side images of Kelce, now 34, on June 27. The first image was from 2013, his rookie year on the […]
Prior to Kelce’s inaugural season, the Chiefs appointed Andy Reid as the new head coach. Reid, now 66, shared insights into Travis’ drafting journey during a May 2023 episode of the “New Heights” podcast, which he cohosts with his older brother, Jason Kelce.
“I watched [Travis] play against Temple, and my son kept raving about this tight end—‘He’s incredible! He’s Jason Kelce’s brother!’” Reid remarked. “When I got him, he was 240 pounds, but that’s just fine.”
Reid, who has guided Kelce throughout his 12-year NFL career, recalled his initial encounter with his future star.
“The game finished, and they completely dominated Temple,” Reid recounted. “I stepped into the locker room, and he strolls out, acting like we’re old pals. Internally, I thought, ‘If I get my hands on that kid, I’ll show him!’”
Reid added, “But I went along with it. He was confident, almost cocky. Absolutely cocky.”
The coach expressed trust in Travis’ “background,” drawing from his experience drafting Jason in 2011 while with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“The first five years were challenging,” Reid reflected on coaching Travis. “The subsequent five years have been absolutely amazing.”
As per a report from early this month by The Athletic, Travis has until March 14 to notify the Chiefs of his retirement plans or intention to continue playing next season.
“I’m aware everyone is curious about whether I’ll play next year. Currently, I’m just taking my time,” Travis stated during the February 12 episode of “New Heights,” just days following the Chiefs’ defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. “I’m not making major decisions right now; it’s all about supporting my teammates and coaches, knowing the weight of this situation.”
He added, “I’ve been lucky to have played more football than anyone over the past five or six years. This success is thanks to my amazing support team and our repeated trips to the AFC Championships and Super Bowls, giving me the chance to play extra games. That comes with significant wear and tear on the body and extensive hours of focus on my craft, which can be exhausting.”
