The Legendary Rivalry of the Kelce Brothers

While Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce are both highly accomplished NFL players in their own right, most football fans are familiar with their legendary rivalry as brothers off the field. Their sibling battles have become the stuff of sports lore, with epic showdowns on the basketball court and elsewhere. But beyond just the highlights we’ve seen, what fuels this rivalry between the Kelce brothers and how do they prepare themselves for battle? To understand the root of their competitiveness, we have to go back to their upbringing.

Jason and Travis grew up in a competitive household in Cleveland, Ohio. Their father, Ed, was a three-sport high school athlete and their mother also played sports. From a young age, their parents instilled a strong work ethic and competitive fire in both boys. “Our parents always pushed us to be the best we could be,” Jason recalled. Whether it was football, basketball, or just about any other sport or game, the Kelce brothers were always trying to one-up each other. Their dad would often pit them against each other just to bring out the best in their play.

This upbringing cultivated an intense sibling rivalry from an early age. As they got older, their battles became legendary among family and friends. According to those close to them, it didn’t matter what they were playing – football, basketball, video games, you name it – they were going at it 100% and neither was willing to give an inch to the other. Their competitive fire was always brimming just below the surface, ready to ignite at the first sign of competition between them.

One of their most infamous showdowns occurred after a heated game of basketball in their driveway. According to their retelling, Travis was draining shot after shot while Jason’s frustration grew. Trash talk escalated until Jason finally snapped, throwing a punch at his brother. A full-on brawl ensued until their father broke it up. While their battles sometimes got physical, it was always in good fun and never crossed the line. Their rivalry simply brought out the best in their competitive spirit.

This upbringing prepared them well for their professional football careers. After standout careers at the University of Cincinnati, Jason was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 while Travis entered the league with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. But their sibling rivalry was far from over. If anything, achieving success in the NFL only raised the stakes in their battles.

According to those close to them, whenever the Eagles and Chiefs match up, you can cut the tension with a knife in the Kelce locker rooms. Both brothers obsess over game film, strategizing how to outdo the other on the field. Travis recalls skipping watching TV to re-watch the brothers’ past matchups together, critiquing every play. “We’re both so competitive, it’s all we think about leading up to our games,” Travis said.

Their pre-game routines reflect this heightened focus. While most players relax and listen to music, the Kelce brothers are laser-focused on preparation. Jason watches hours of Chiefs film to scout Travis’ tendencies, looking for any weakness to exploit. Travis does the same with Eagles tape. Both do extra conditioning and skills work to ensure they are in peak form for their battle. The night before their matchups, sleep is hard to come by due to the adrenaline and anticipation of the next day’s showdown.

On gameday, their relentless preparation comes to a head. According to teammates, an unusual intensity radiates from both brothers in the locker room. “You can just feel the competitive energy coming off them,” said Eagles center Jason Kelce. “It’s like they’re about to go to war.” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce agreed, saying “We both want to dominate and prove we’re the best Kelce on the field. It brings out another level in our games.”

Their on-field battles have lived up to the hype, with memorable moments in each matchup. In their first brother vs. brother game in 2017, Jason and the Eagles got the last laugh in a 27-20 victory. But Travis responded with 8 catches for 136 yards in Kansas City’s win the next year. Their most recent showdown in 2020 saw Travis catch 8 more balls, but it was Jason leading the Eagles to a 23-20 comeback win with a key fourth quarter block.

Off the field, their rivalry continues as well. The brothers stay closely connected despite competing schedules, often chatting and playfully trash talking by phone. In the offseason, they train together to push each other’s limits. According to those close to them, nothing is off limits in their verbal sparring. But through it all lies a deep respect and admiration for one another’s success. As intense as their rivalry burns, their brotherly bond remains unbreakable.

While their battles have brought them fame, both Kelce brothers remain grounded by their upbringing. According to those close to them, they credit their parents for instilling a strong work ethic and keeping their egos in check. Both stay actively involved in their community through charitable work. And at the end of the day, nothing is more important to them than family.

So as the Kelce brothers prepare to face off once again this season, their sibling rivalry rages on. But it is a rivalry rooted in mutual respect and pushed to greater heights by their unbreakable bond. Through it all, they continue to push each other to excel both on and off the field. And whether their next showdown ends in a W or L, one thing is for certain – their legend will live on for NFL brother vs. brother battles to come.