Why Travis Kelce Wears the Number 87 on His Chiefs Jersey (2024)

The NFL tight end will be sporting his lucky number at the Super Bowl.

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Why Travis Kelce Wears the Number 87 on His Chiefs Jersey (1)

TRAVIS KELCE HAS had one hell of a year since his win at last year's Super Bowl, and the tight end is now getting ready to defend the Kansas City Chiefs' NFL championship title at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. In what may end up being the game that secures him his third Super Bowl ring, Kelce will be donning his usual 87 jersey—but just why does he wear that number?

And just like his girlfriend Taylor Swift, who is known for weaving allusions and Easter eggs into the lyrics of her songs, Kelce's jersey number conveys a very personal meaning when he's wearing it out on the field.

In the lead-up to the 2023 Super Bowl, Kelce explained that his choice of jersey number was purposely picked out as a tribute to his brother, Jason Kelce, who plays as an offensive lineman with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"If there is a Kelce legacy, two brothers making it to the NFL, it all started in 1987, because this big guy was born in 1987," Travis told NFL Films. Jason responded that it was "very cool" to be honored that way.

Why Travis Kelce Wears the Number 87 on His Chiefs Jersey (2)

The 2023 Super Bowl final marked the first time in NFL history that two brothers had played against each other in a championship game, and the personal story connecting the two teams drove enthusiasm for what some fans called the "Kelce Bowl."

The Chiefs emerged triumphant, winning Travis one more Super Bowl ring, but Jason took it in his stride, reportedly telling Travis "f*ck you, congratulations" as soon as the game ended. The brothers remain close outside of football, and host a weekly podcast together called New Heights in which they break down that week's gameplay as well as shoot the breeze about life and family.

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Why Travis Kelce Wears the Number 87 on His Chiefs Jersey (2024)

FAQs

Why Travis Kelce Wears the Number 87 on His Chiefs Jersey? ›

Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has opted to wear the jersey number

jersey number
In team sports, the number, often referred to as the uniform number, squad number, jersey number, shirt number, sweater number, or similar (with such naming differences varying by sport and region) is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player (and sometimes others, such as coaches ...
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Number_(sports)
87 as a tribute to his brother, Jason Kelce
Jason Kelce
Jason Daniel Kelce (/ˈkɛlsi/ KEL-see; born November 5, 1987) is an American former football center who played his entire 13-year career for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Jason_Kelce
. The reason behind this decision is the deep emotional connection between the two brothers, as Jason, who plays as a center, was born in 1987.

Who is number 87 on The Chiefs? ›

The NFL tight end will be sporting his lucky number at the Super Bowl.

Why does Jason Kelce wear 62? ›

13 for the sports that I played. But I had a football coach in middle school that once said to me, 'The player makes the number, not the other way around. ' Since then, I've taken the number that was handed to me. I have an identity with 62 and I'm going to have that forever."

What is Travis Kelce's salary? ›

How much money does Travis Kelce make in a year? Before his other ventures, let's talk about Travis Kelce's NFL salary alone, he is currently on the third year of a four year contract that is worth $57.25 million that secures him an annual $14.3 million per season until 2026.

Why do tight ends wear 87 in the NFL? ›

The Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end chose his number to pay tribute to his big brother. The younger Kelce sibling said, "If there is a Kelce legacy, two brothers making it to the NFL, it all started in 1987, because this big guy was born in 1987."

What did Jason Kelce's wife have? ›

What cologne does Travis Kelce wear? ›

The acclaimed football sensation is said to favour Louis Vuitton Météore—a crisp, citrus-infused fragrance featuring hints of mandarin orange, pink pepper, and vetiver.

What did Kelce's mom do? ›

Does Travis Kelce have a child? ›

While Travis doesn't have children yet, he adores his three nieces from his brother Jason, who proudly shares Wyatt, Elliotte, and Bennett.

How did Travis and Taylor meet? ›

The high-profile relationship got started after the Kansas City Chiefs player attended Taylor's Eras Tour concert at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year and fumbled when he tried to give the 34-year-old "Blank Space" singer a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it.

Why do tight ends wear 80s? ›

Specific skill positions typically are issued jersey numbers in a restricted range. High school rules nationally are determined by the National Federation of State High School Associations; tight ends are able to wear any number other than 50–79. The NCAA "strongly recommends" ends wear 80–99, but this is not required.

What nationality is Jason Kelce? ›

Has Jason Kelce ever been married? ›

Jason and Kylie Kelce celebrate wedding anniversary: What to know about their family. The former NFL star and his wife are parents of three. Former NFL star Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie are the parents of three daughters.

How many cars does Travis Kelce have? ›

Kelce, 34, has nine cars in his garage and drives every last one of them, even the Aston Martin Vanquish, which is worth $300,000. The most expensive one, however, is the Rolls-Royce Ghost at $400,000.

How much is Travis Kelce worth in 2024? ›

What is Travis Kelce's net worth? Travis Kelce has an estimated 2024 net worth of $50 million. In April 2024, he signed a new two-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs that's likely to make that number go up even more.

Who was number 87 for the Eagles? ›

That said, Philadelphia hasn't reissued 87 since Brent Celek went out on top after the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. Top 3 to wear number 87: 3. Jack Ferrante.

Whose jersey number is 87 in football? ›

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is on his way to his fourth Super Bowl with the team after a season punctuated by success. Kelce started dating Taylor Swift, and sales of his No. 87 jersey soared roughly 400% after she attended a game.

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