Travis Kelce is now one of the biggest names in the
NFL. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, a ten-time Pro Bowl selection, and widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time. But before becoming a legend with the
Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce experienced a moment few fans know about—he cried in the
Cleveland Browns’ office, begging for a chance.
In an interview with
GQ and reviewed by
The New York Post,
Travis Kelce shared that ahead of the 2013 Draft, he met with then-head coach Rob Chudzinski. The meeting turned unexpectedly emotional. “I’ll die for this city!” Kelce told him through tears, recalling his roots in Cleveland Heights and his college years at the University of Cincinnati. His dream was clear.
Kelce wanted to play for his hometown team. But the response was cold. “He looked at me like I was crazy,” Kelce admitted. And just like that, the dream faded.
The Browns let Kelce go
The
Browns chose other names that year, including Barkevious Mingo and Leon McFadden. Neither had a standout career. Mingo did win a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2016, but
Travis Kelce, selected in the third round by the
Chiefs, went on to build a legacy that speaks for itself.
Today, Travis Kelce is entering his 13th NFL season. Despite the recent loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl 2025, he says he’s already moved on. “I threw that thing in the trash,” Kelce told reporters, making it clear that his focus is on the future. He’s locked in for preseason, and his competitive fire is still burning.
A change of uniform
What’s interesting is that even though the Browns passed on him, Travis Kelce never lost his emotional connection to Cleveland. His story is one of nostalgia, rejection, and redemption. The kid who cried for his city ended up becoming one of the most dominant players of his generation—just not in brown and orange.
Travis Kelce is not only a symbol of talent but also of resilience. The NFL career of Taylor Swift’s boyfriend is proof that sometimes the most painful rejections open the biggest doors. And while he never wore the Browns’ uniform, his legacy with the Chiefs is already carved in gold.
