Travis Kelce shared that he once broke down in tears during a pre-draft meeting with the Cleveland Browns, passionately pleading for a chance to play for his hometown team. The Kansas City Chiefs star, now one of the NFL’s greatest tight ends, talked about how deeply he wanted to represent Cleveland before the 2013 NFL Draft.
Travis Kelce shares how he cried for Cleveland Browns
Travis Kelce may be an NFL legend with three Super Bowl titles and a Hall of Fame career in the making, but back in 2013, he was just a hometown kid hoping to wear the orange and brown of the Cleveland Browns. The Kansas City Chiefs star recently opened up about the emotional moment during his pre-draft interview with the Browns, a meeting that left him in tears.
Kelce, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and played college football at the University of Cincinnati. He revealed to GQ that he poured his heart out to then-head coach Rob Chudzinski in an effort to play for his hometown team.
“I cried in Chud’s office and said, ‘I will fu**ing die for this city!’” Kelce recalled. “Was in tears… said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m getting emotional. I grew up down the street. I would fu**ing do anything to play for the Cleveland Browns.’” He added that Chudzinski looked at him “like I was insane,” admitting he’d probably never seen someone so passionate in an interview.
Despite Kelce’s plea, the Browns passed on him. Instead, the Chiefs selected him in the third round with the 63rd overall pick. Cleveland used their picks on linebacker Barkevious Mingo and cornerback Leon McFadden — neither of whom earned a Pro Bowl nod during their careers.
While he’s moved on from the Browns’ decision, Kelce’s love for his hometown hasn’t faded. He often speaks about his upbringing in Northeast Ohio. Now, at 35, he’s focused on chasing a fourth Lombardi Trophy, telling the outlet, “Win a Super Bowl is the only goal. It’s every goal.”
