Lest you think that Taylor Swift has the monopoly on fairy tale endings, Travis Kelce ended the 2023 NFL season in style.
While things weren’t always perfect—the tight end missed Week 1 with an injury, faced occasional criticism, and failed to break the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in what felt like forever—he ultimately delivered when the chips were down. After a strong postseason, he and his Kansas City Chiefs lifted the Lombardi Trophy, earning a place in the record books as back-to-back champs.
And after that success, it’d be reasonable to think that Kelce could fade into the background. Even an NFL player with plans for pop-cultural domination needs a breather, right? Well, Kelce’s offseason already includes another win, even if he had some questions about the nomination process.
Kelce Won the ‘Best Athlete’ People’s Choice Award
When you’re a top NFL player, you’re used to facing off against elite talent. Kelce, however, faced some stiffer competition than usual at the People’s Choice Awards.
In the “Best Athlete” category, the KC tight end came out on top, claiming the 2024 title over Simone Biles, Lionel Messi, LeBron James, Sabrina Ionescu, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and Coco Gauff.
Taylor Swift, for what it’s worth, also took home the 2024 Social Celebrity Award in addition to being named the top female music artist.
Earlier this year, Kelce expressed some skepticism about his eligibility for the award.
“F***ing nonsense,” the tight end said on the January 17 episode of his New Heights podcast. “I don’t, it’s just… I don’t get what… What did I do to get ‘Athlete of the Year’? … I did SNL?”
After a brief aside to educate Jason Kelce on how the People’s Choice Awards works, Travis circled back to the prevailing sentiment. “How am I on this?” he asked when his brother jokingly wondered how Biles was on the list but her husband (NFL player Jonathan Owens) wasn’t.
And, just over a month later, No. 87 was crowned the winner.
This Wider Success Isn’t New for Kelce
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Before the New Heights conversation moved on, Jason Kelce asked the listening audience to “get this thing rigged” and start voting for Travis to take home the title. And whether you feel that’s anything untoward or not, this isn’t the first time the brothers have reaped the rewards of their higher profile.
At the end of 2023, New Heights soared up the podcasting charts. While you could argue that the Kelces do good work and produce a show that toes the line between entertainment and genuine insight, you’d have to assume that the Swift factor brought some extra listeners into the fold. The podcast was, after all, where Travis teased traveling to South America to link up with The Eras Tour.
Beyond that, the brothers recorded a Christmas single together (which was part of Jason’s larger efforts on a charity album), which became a No. 1 hit. Jason thanked the Swifties for their efforts in carrying the song up the charts.
“Thanks, Taylor!” Travis added. “Appreciate you. And thank you to the Swifties. Thank you.”
And while Kelce might have had questions about his nomination for the People’s Choice Award, there is another win at play beyond the award itself. Outdueling the likes of Messi, Curry and Biles, all of whom are genuine pop cultural presences, suggests that the tight end is pushing further and further beyond the football world.
If a larger celebrity profile, complete with movies, TV shows, and other endeavors is the aim, then No. 87 is certainly moving in the right direction. That could be the biggest win of all.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.