Travis Kelce's Childhood Hockey Photo Goes Viral

NFL star's throwback picture sparks fan nostalgia and reflections on his multi-sport roots.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A childhood hockey photo of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has gone viral online, revealing the NFL star's early involvement in ice hockey and sparking fan nostalgia. Kelce shared the throwback picture while reflecting on his sporting roots and congratulating fellow Cleveland Heights native Laila Edwards on her Olympic gold medal win.

Why it matters

Kelce's viral hockey photo provides a glimpse into the athlete's personal life and diverse athletic background, adding a new dimension to his public image beyond his NFL stardom. As Kelce contemplates his football future, this moment serves as a reminder of his crossover between sports and the nostalgic ties that connect athletes across disciplines.

The details

During a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce and his brother appeared wearing Team USA hockey jerseys to honor the nation's achievements at the Winter Olympics. This prompted Kelce to reminisce about his own childhood hockey days, sharing a throwback photo of himself in full gear standing alongside his youth hockey teammates. Kelce joked about his notable size as a child, which set him apart from his peers, and entertained the idea of teaming up with his brother for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the double luge event.

  • Kelce recently shared the childhood hockey photo on social media.
  • The photo was shared during a recent episode of the New Heights podcast.

The players

Travis Kelce

An NFL star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who recently shared a childhood hockey photo that went viral online.

Laila Edwards

A fellow Cleveland Heights native who secured a gold medal at the recent Winter Olympics, prompting Kelce's reflections on his own hockey background.

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What they’re saying

“Laila, I've got two banners up in the Cleveland Heights hockey rink. I'm not sure how many banners you have.”

— Travis Kelce (New Heights podcast)

“That's a young Travis Kelce looking as tall as all the adults on there. That's a heft boy right there.”

— Travis Kelce (New Heights podcast)

The takeaway

Kelce's viral hockey photo serves as a reminder of the diverse athletic roots of NFL stars, highlighting the crossover between sports and the nostalgic ties that connect athletes across disciplines. As Kelce contemplates his football future, this moment provides a glimpse into his personal life and underscores the multi-faceted nature of professional athletes.