Travis Kelce Evolution: How Failed Drug Test & ‘Train Wreck Persona’ Almost Derailed Mr. Taylor Swift

QZQNEWS2 weeks ago

KANSAS, MISSOURI: Travis Kelce is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and seven All-Pro selections with two Super Bowl victories.

He is also known for his charismatic personality and his love for pop star Taylor Swift, who is rumored to be romantically involved.

Also read: Andy Reid praised as Chiefs coach says ‘it’s a good thing’ Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift reunited

But before becoming a star for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce had to overcome some serious challenges during his college career that almost derailed his football dreams.

Travis Kelce is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history (Getty Images)

How a Marijuana Suspension Changed Travis Kelce’s Career Path

Travis Kelce’s journey from a two-star recruit out of high school to an NFL star has not been an easy one.

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He joined Cincinnati as a tight end and wild card quarterback as a freshman, but he barely played.

He missed his sophomore year due to failing a marijuana drug test due to excessive partying before being able to play in the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Also Read: Swifties Say It’s ‘Travis Kelce’s Turn to Return the Favor’ Amid Reports of His Plans to Travel to Argentina to Support Taylor Swift

He returned as a tight end and wild card quarterback, but he quickly shifted his focus to the tight end position.

He said on a ‘Bussin’ podcast with the Wild Boys: “I got kicked out of college because of it. I partied a little too hard there, I got tested drug testing and from that point on I realized I gotta tighten the shit up.”

“What that did was it really propelled me into the tight end room,” Kelce added, adding “I was still playing QB at that point.”

“It was like, ‘All right, you can join the team, but we don’t need a quarterback. You can just be an athlete on a scout team for a year, we’ll figure it out ‘”, he added.

Kelce returned and became a pro tight end prospect, eventually being drafted as the first of two third-round picks (63rd overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round in 2013, according to Sports Illustrated.

Travis Kelce was called a ‘train wreck in terms of character’ by evaluator

Before he was drafted in a February 2013 mix of offensive linemen and tight ends in Indianapolis, he was called a train wreck.

According to Pro Football Weekly at the time, as reported by CBS Tampa Bay, an anonymous NFL evaluator called Kelce a “train wreck in terms of character” and said his baggage would push him down until the third round at least.

Before being drafted in a February 2013 offensive lineman-tight end game in Indianapolis, he was called a train wreck (Getty Images)

Kelce understood that the interviews and meetings within the group would mean a lot to him and would be a great opportunity to represent himself.

“Just let them know I’m a man of character,” Kelce reportedly said, adding “There are things that happened in my past that happened. I’ve dealt with it.

“I learned from it and overcame everything that happened earlier in my college career. And letting them know who I am as a person, that I’m willing to do whatever the team needs me and that I “It’s all for the organization as a whole,” he added.

Who helped Travis Kelce revive his football career?

It was Travis Kelce’s older brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, who helped Kelce revive his football career after Marujuna’s suspension.

He played in Cincinnati from 2006 to 2010.

It was Travis Kelce’s older brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, who helped Kelce revive his football career after Marujuna’s suspension (Getty Images)

“He went into the coach’s office and talked to a lot of coaches to try to give me another chance,” he added.

“I will be forever indebted to this guy for putting his name, our name – Kelce’s name – on the line. When I say I owe him everything, I really do,” he continued.

Travis Kelce had a rough start to his NFL career. He seriously injured his knee during his junior year and required surgery. He spent the majority of the 2013 season on the club’s injured reserve list.

Travis Kelce is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history
(Chifes.com)