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Travis Kelce has been in the NFL for over a decade, and since then, he has accomplished and won so much. He has a resume that many view as worthy of induction one day in Canton.
His pro career started in 2013 when the Kansas City Chiefs took him in the third round of that year’s NFL draft. He was the 63rd overall selection of his class and was the fifth tight end selection.
Travis Kelce nearly became a Jet?
The New Heights podcast recently posted on its official X account an old video of Kelce telling his brother Jason, who co-hosts the show, that the New York Jets were “sold” on him. Kelce said that the Jets were going to take him if quarterback Geno Smith was no longer available by the time New York got on the clock to make a selection early in the second round. As it turned out, the Smith was there for the Eagles to pick at No. 39 overall.
Andy Reid’s draft day call to Travis was incredible
pic.twitter.com/2HC6hUmfTa https://t.co/b29ToSHmB8
— New Heights (@newheightshow) April 16, 2025
“Thank goodness!” Kelce exclaimed as he continued on with his story. Kelce then said that when he saw a Missouri number on his ringing phone, he initially thought it was Jeff Fisher, who was then coaching the St. Louis Rams, before realizing it was Andy Reid of the Chiefs on the other line.
“He asked me straight to the point. Are you going to [expletive] this up, man?” Kelce recalled Reid asking him during that phone conversation.
“No, I’m not. I’m going to be the best tight end you’ve ever coached,” Kelce responded to Reid.
Kelce would go on to win three Super Bowls with the Chiefs while becoming arguably the best player ever to play the tight end position in the NFL. As for Smith, he played for four seasons with the Jets, who have yet to make it to the NFL playoffs since 2010.
More must-reads:
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- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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