Here’s Why Travis Kelce Wears the Number 87 on His Chiefs Jersey

TRAVIS KELCE HAS had one hell of a year with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the tight end’s road to the next Super Bowl begins tonight with the Chiefs’ NFL wildcard game against the Miami Dolphins. In what is looking to be a chilly match, Kelce will be donning his usual 87 jersey—but just why does he wear that number?

And just like his girlfriend Taylor Swift, who is known for weaving allusions and Easter eggs into the lyrics of her songs, Kelce’s jersey number conveys a very personal meaning when he’s wearing it out on the field.

In the lead-up to the 2023 Super Bowl, Kelce explained that his choice of jersey number was purposely picked out as a tribute to his brother, Jason Kelce, who plays as an offensive lineman with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“If there is a Kelce legacy, two brothers making it to the NFL, it all started in 1987, because this big guy was born in 1987,” Travis told NFL Films. Jason responded that it was “very cool” to be honored that way.

The 2023 Super Bowl final marked the first time in NFL history that two brothers had played against each other in a championship game, and the personal story connecting the two teams drove enthusiasm for what some fans called the “Kelce Bowl.”

The Chiefs emerged triumphant, winning Travis one more Super Bowl ring, but Jason took it in his stride, reportedly telling Travis “Fuck you, congratulations” as soon as the game ended. The brothers remain close outside of football, and host a weekly podcast together called New Heights in which they break down that week’s gameplay as well as shoot the breeze about life and family.

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