Travis Kelce has built a Hall of Fame résumé in football, but judging by a photo he recently resurfaced, he might have been just as imposing on the ice.
During the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, leaned fully into their Olympic spirit.
Both sported USA hockey jerseys while breaking down the action, celebrating Team USA‘s success and sharing a few personal stories along the way.
Jason, who attended the Games in person, had already gone viral for his animated reactions alongside wife Kylie Kelce, and for clutching a comically tiny beer during one of the matchups.
Travis, meanwhile, revealed he was back on the East Coast watching everything unfold with fiancée Taylor Swift.
He made it clear he was up early for the marquee showdown, an epic gold medal win for the U.S. men’s hockey team over Canada.
The brothers also gave a shoutout to the U.S. women’s team for capturing gold, highlighting standout forward Laila Edwards, a fellow Cleveland-area product.
Travis couldn’t resist turning it into a playful brag, though, joking that he had won AA banners back in Cleveland Heights himself.
But it wasn’t just commentary that caught fans’ attention. It was the throwback photo.
Kelce shared an old snapshot from his youth hockey days, and the image immediately took on a life of its own online.
In the middle of a lineup of kids in full gear, one thing stood out: Travis was towering over everyone.
Even at a young age, the future three-time Super Bowl champion looked like he was built differently.
Built for the Ice and the Spotlight
The viral photo sparked plenty of jokes about what might have been. At 6-foot-5 and around 250 pounds in his NFL prime, Kelce already plays with the physicality and edge that translate well to hockey. Seeing him in skates only fueled the imagination.
He even admitted on the podcast that his early hockey coaching philosophy was simple: hit the puck as hard as possible.
For someone with his frame and natural power, that’s a terrifying thought for opposing goalies.
While Kelce has yet to officially confirm whether he’ll return for another NFL season, it hasn’t stopped fans from dreaming about alternate timelines.
A Kelce on the 2030 Olympic roster as an enforcer-type presence? It sounds far-fetched, but so did a kid from Cleveland Heights growing into one of the most dominant tight ends in league history.
Of course, football ultimately won out. Kelce has become one of the defining players of his era, stacking Super Bowl rings and All-Pro honors while thriving in the brightest moments.
Still, the hockey roots add another layer to his story, one that explains some of the balance, toughness, and coordination that define his game today.
Even now, whether he’s catching touchdowns or reliving childhood memories in a Team USA sweater, Kelce commands attention. On grass or on ice, he was always going to stand out. Some athletes are just built that way
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