sport news Super Bowl LVII: Kelce brothers could steal the show as they face off as rivals trends now
It is a family affair in Phoenix, where two boisterous, bearded brothers have dominated the build-up to what has been dubbed the Kelce Bowl.
Jason and Travis Kelce will be the first siblings to square up on American football’s biggest stage as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII Sunday.
At 35, Jason is the older, quieter one. Extravert Travis is prone to diamond earrings, Louis Vuitton jackets and ebullient touchdown celebrations.
In the NFL the brothers are equally respected, feared and revered. Each is regarded as the best in their position and both have one Super Bowl win under their belt.
Jason has been Philadelphia’s center for 12 years. A rock in the heart of their offensive line, he is a specialist run-blocker who is adept at marginal gains.
Jason (right) and Travis Kelce (left) are the first brothers to face each other at the Super Bowl
They grew up in a sports-mad house in Cleveland Heights, Ohio (pictured with mom, Donna)
35-year-old Jason (62) is the oldest and has been the Philadelphia Eagles' center for 12 years
In a game of inches, Kelce is central to the Eagles tactic of using a rugby-style maul to help quarterback Jalen Hurts complete short-yard gains. In the regular season, the Eagles successfully converted 29 of 33 sneaks into first downs.
He is the highest paid center after signing a one-year, $14million deal to carry on his career in the City of Brotherly Love.
Travis is two years younger and has an unerring ability to be elusive despite his six-foot-five frame. He can catch any ball and then run considerable distances, with or without players trailing from his limbs and torso.
In the regular season he is unstoppable – he completed his seventh straight 1,000-plus yard season, extending his record for a tight end.
But in the postseason he is a phenomenon. In 17 playoff games he has 127 catches for 1,467 yards and 15 touchdowns. Only Jerry Rice, the greatest wide receiver of all, has more (151 catches for 2,245 yards and 22 touchdowns in 29 playoff games).
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was voted MVP for the second time Thursday, was in no doubt as to his historical significance. ‘Travis, I mean, it’s Travis, greatest tight end of all time,’ he said in November.
The Kelces were always close. Growing up in a sports-mad house in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Travis idolized his older brother. He chose to wear No. 87 in the NFL as it was the year of Jason’s birth.
In September, the brothers decided to launch a weekly podcast, New Heights. After 26 episodes it tops Apple’s podcast charts.
Travis, the younger brother, is more of an extravert prone to diamond earrings and bold outfits
Travis touched down in Arizona with the Kansas City Chiefs in another bold fashion choice
‘It’s almost been like therapy, man,’ Travis said. ‘It’s been cool to hear what he’s going through and just to have some fun with my brother like we did back in the day.’
‘We get to talk to each other every week, we get to have fun and in some ways I feel like it’s made my brother and I closer, talking every single week,’ Jason said. ‘Normally in the course of a season, you go months without talking to each other at times. You’re so caught up in your own stuff. This ended up being a great thing.’
Their parents have also appeared on the show – and
