Travis Kelce admits he was a ‘shy kid’ growing up before finding confidence through sports – despite always being ‘at ease’ in front of a camera – as Chiefs star works out in practice before Super Bowl LVIII: ‘I let my personality show’

Believe it or not, Travis Kelce hasn’t always exuded the kind of confidence that makes him one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

Just over a week after his second straight Super Bowl appearance with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce opened up about his more timid early years as a child and how sports slowly helped him come out of his shell.

The Chiefs star, whose high-profile romance with Taylor Swift has propelled him to superstardom in recent months, is now a global celebrity and one of the biggest tight ends in NFL history, meaning he’s playing a role in what will be a seems to be an unprecedented event. end list of tv commercials nowadays.

He has also created a successful podcast with Eagles star brother Jason, New Heights, which is watched by millions almost a year and a half after its launch.

But incredibly, Travis hasn’t always been the larger-than-life extrovert he is today. The future NFL icon was a “shy kid” before the sport helped him show his true personality.

Travis Kelce admits he was always a “shy kid” before the sport brought him out of his shell

Kelce, who went through the gears in practice on Friday ahead of next weekend’s Super Bowl, is one of the most marketable athletes in the world

He and legendary teammate Patrick Mahomes (left) will face the San Francisco 49ers

Kelce’s high-profile romance with Taylor Swift has catapulted him to a new level of fame

“For me, sport was the place where I built my self-confidence,” he said at a press conference on Friday. “You probably won’t believe me, but I was a shy kid growing up until I ended up on the sports field, track or ice rink. Then I showed my personality a little bit.

‘I was having fun. I was successful. And that has pushed me to have faith in life.’

No one seems to have more fun when the Chiefs win than Kelce.

As usual, the 34-year-old took the microphone after last weekend’s Conference Championship victory over the Baltimore Ravens, who booked their place in a second straight Super Bowl.

You could hear Kelce bark his now all-too-familiar Beastie Boys victory cry: “You gotta fight for your right to party!”

When asked how he became so comfortable with a microphone in his hand, he replied, “My mom’s home movies, man.”

“I always have that camera with me and see what crazy things I’m going to do next,” Kelce continued.

“Honestly, I’ve always felt comfortable in the rooms I’ve been in, and I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to—I don’t know, I’ve been able to look into a camera with ease, I guess. Don’t know. It’s just fun out there.”

But Kelce says he was always shyer growing up when he looks back on his journey into the sport leading up to the Super Bowl.

The 34-year-old also recalled his emotional celebrations with Swift in Baltimore last weekend

Kelce spoke as his team ramped up preparations for the Feb. 11 Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers.

He reflected on last week’s emotional scenes as his family and girlfriend Swift celebrated with him on the field in Baltimore after beating the Ravens to reach yet another Super Bowl.

“It’s just another reminder of the journey to cherish, man,” Kelce said. “I’m fortunate that I get all the support I need off the field and it gives me a reason to play a lot harder, the people you just mentioned.”

Swift stood on the field alongside his parents, Donna and Ed, and his older brother Jason as they celebrated the Chiefs winning the AFC Championship with a sensational performance against the Ravens – favored by many to beat the Chiefs and then win the Super Bowl to win. .