Chiefs teammates couldn't stop teasing Travis Kelce over his reality dating show days, Derrick Johnson shares hilarious memory
Before
Travis Kelce
's romance with
Taylor Swift
made headlines worldwide, the Kansas City Chiefs star's personal life was already a topic of curiosity. Back in 2016, he stepped into an unusual spotlight, starring in the reality dating series Catching Kelce, where 50 women—one from each U.S.
state—competed for his heart. The show lasted just one season, but its ripples in the NFL locker room were unforgettable.
Travis Kelce's dating show and locker room banter
Travis Kelce was 27 when the show aired, right in the middle of his first 1,000-yard season and his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Despite his growing stardom, the dating series was met with a fair share of good-natured ribbing inside the Chiefs facility. Former teammate and Kansas City's all-time tackle leader Derrick Johnson recalled to Fox News Digital:
'He tried not to [talk about the show in the locker room] but we kind of teased him at times, because when you're playing for Andy Reid, there's no distractions.
You got to do your job and do it at a high level.'
Still, the teasing came with a level of respect. Johnson admitted, 'He had that taken care of. Good or bad, that's the area that he needs no help in.'
Kelce ended the show choosing Kentucky native Maya Benberry as his girlfriend. The relationship didn't last long, and by 2017, he was linked to model Kayla Nicole. That romance spanned five years before ending in 2022, paving the way for what would become his most high-profile relationship yet.
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From reality TV to becoming part of a global power couple
When Kelce began dating Taylor Swift in 2023, Johnson was quick to acknowledge the magnitude of the pairing. 'He outkicked his coverage. Taylor's big time. Kelce's big time as well, football-wise, but she is globally. So they're definitely a power couple,' Johnson remarked.
For Johnson, who spent most of Kelce's early years as a defensive leader, watching the tight end's evolution has been remarkable. 'None of us knew who he could really be. He probably didn't know it at all either. And once he got going after his second year, third year, I was like, 'This guy is the man!''
Now, with three Super Bowl rings and a cultural presence that stretches beyond sports, Travis Kelce's journey from Catching Kelce to global superstardom proves that sometimes the road to NFL greatness isn't just about yardage, it's about the stories that shape the man.
Also Read:
How long will the Packers be without Jordan Love after his thumb ligament injury and surgery?
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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