After over a decade in the NFL, Travis Kelce is no stranger to the league’s preseason media obligations. But, like many veteran players, he’s grown weary of the tedious process. In a recent podcast with his brother, Jason, Kelce didn’t hold back, comparing himself to the no-nonsense soccer captain, Roy Kent, from the popular TV series, ‘Ted Lasso.’
Kelce was bemoaning media day with the Chiefs, calling the team’s photoshoots ‘ridiculous’
Travis Kelce identifies with Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent, seeing himself as an ‘old, angry veteran’
Kelce’s frustration with media days is palpable. ‘I’m too stubborn,’ he admitted. ‘I’m just an old, angry veteran at this point. I am, what’s his name? Roy Kent from Ted Lasso. Don’t bother me with all the extra stuff.’ The character of Roy Kent, portrayed by Brett Goldstein, is a serious and seasoned athlete, not unlike former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, on whom the character is believed to be based.
During media day with the Chiefs, Kelce’s exasperation was evident. ‘You realize how much of this stuff they’re not going to use,’ he said. ‘I’ll do it for the in-house people because I know them, but all the extra production stuff, I’m just like, “No, thanks.” And I got some side-eyes, but it is what it is.’ Jason, a fellow NFL veteran who recently retired after 13 seasons, echoed his brother’s sentiments, expressing his own dislike for photoshoots and being told what to do.
Travis and brother Jason shared their frustrations with media production days on their New Heights podcast
As the brothers ranted about their experiences, Travis concluded with a touch of empathy for the newcomers: ‘I feel bad for the guys that have to do this, they’re walking into a hornet’s nest of angry vets who don’t want to do this stuff.’
