Travis Kelce opened up about public perceptions — and how he hopes people receive him.
The Chiefs tight end, 35, was asked about “the meathead jock stereotype” during an interview with GQ, published on Tuesday, August 12, which drew candid reflections from the athlete.
“I joke about it. It is what it is. I’m just out here living life,” Kelce told the outlet before admitting that the stereotype can weigh on him at times. “[But] I don’t necessarily want everyone to think that I’m an idiot.”
The NFL star, who is dating Taylor Swift and recently helped her announce her forthcoming 12th studio album, added that he’s determined to stay true to himself no matter what the public assumes of him. “There’s always something to learn,” he explained during the interview. “Acting like you’re the smartest one in the room just isn’t the way to go.”
Kelce’s unfiltered thoughts extended to other topics including the game he loves. Acknowledging how his focus has shifted to some off-field pursuits in recent times, Kelce said his NFL performance was subconsciously impacted.
“I think it might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up,” he told the outlet. “And opportunities came up where I was excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer.” (Kelce dipped his toes in the acting world on Grotesquerie last year, before hosting the game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? and playing a role in Happy Gilmore 2.)
The interview also covered his relationship with Swift, 35, with Kelce telling the outlet that he and the pop star are “just two people that are in love.”
Swift and Kelce have been an item for more than two years, with the pair’s individual worlds feeding into one another’s now more than ever. Earlier this week, Swift’s new album was announced during a teaser for the Wednesday, August 13, episode of Kelce’s podcast “New Heights.” (He cohosts the podcast with brother Jason Kelce.)
In a promotional clip for the episode, released on Tuesday, August 12, Swift served as a special guest before stealing the spotlight entirely. “I wanted to show you something,” Swift told the brothers before retrieving a case with the initials “TS” written in orange across the front.
“This is my brand new album, The Life of a Showgirl,” she announced, which drew excitement from both Travis and Jason, 37.
“TS 12!” exclaimed Travis while Jason simply screamed.
