Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has played in almost every scenario imaginable across his 13-year, Hall of Fame–bound career. But this Thursday in Dallas, he will cross off something he has never experienced: a Thanksgiving Day game. As the Chiefs prepare to face the Cowboys in a rare holiday matchup, Kelce is making it clear he’s ready for the spotlight — and the stakes, both on and off the field.
Fresh off a 23-20 overtime comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts, Kelce spoke openly about the upcoming holiday game, the significance it holds for him and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and what the matchup means for the tight end’s holiday traditions with his family and fiancée, Taylor Swift.
Thanksgiving Game Has Historic Meaning for the Chiefs’ Future Hall of Fame TE
Kelce’s excitement comes as the Chiefs return to a Thanksgiving Day schedule for the first time in 19 years. Their last appearance came in 2006, when they hosted the Denver Broncos in one of the NFL’s first-ever Thanksgiving night games. Kansas City enters this week with an even 5-5 record on the holiday.
For Kelce, the opportunity is new and long-awaited.
“I’m pumped,” he said Sunday after the overtime win, via KSHB 41 in Kansas City. “It’s my first time ever playing on Thanksgiving.”
The matchup carries even more weight for Mahomes, who grew up in Tyler, Texas — just 100 miles from Dallas — and has never played an NFL game in his home state.
“We’ve got to win for him,” Kelce said. “You can’t go back home with any Ls, man.”
Kelce reflected on his own hometown returns as well, noting strong performances during two visits to Cleveland, where he once starred as a high school quarterback.
“Hell yeah, I like playing on holidays, man,” he added. “It’s fun. I know everybody’s sitting down, eating all the food they can possibly get and enjoying the family time. There’s nothing that goes better than football and Thanksgiving, baby.”
Travis Kelce Will Host the Entire Family for Christmas
For NFL players, holiday games often complicate family traditions — especially when personal lives are under the national spotlight. Kelce still embraces the holiday grind and even revealed new plans for 2025.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing three games on Christmas. Each and every single one of them I had a blast in,” Kelce told Jason Kelce, Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson on “New Heights.”
“On top of that, I get to have everybody come through to Kansas City,” he continued. “Christmas in K.C. this year, so it’ll be a good time.”
Jason Kelce responded with support: “That’s right.”
The Kelce family — including parents Ed and Donna Kelce, plus Jason and Kylie Kelce — would naturally be part of the guest list. But according to a source who spoke with U.S. Weekly, Swift’s family will likely join.
“It will be very low-key, family-centric and [won’t involve any] major travel,” the insider said. “Travis fits right in with her family, and Taylor adores [his mom] Donna. They talk all the time. They make sure to see both sides as often as they can. They are super family-oriented, and they have always loved that about one another.”
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