‘Eternal optimism’ – Chiefs players and billionaire CEO reveal the real Travis Kelce hidden from Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce is more than just Taylor Swift’s super-popular boyfriend.

The likely Hall of Famer is also more than just another football player obsessed with personal statistics and collecting championship rings.

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Clark Hunt, CEO of the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions, sat inside a buzzing Superdome on Opening Night and used one word.

One word to capture a 35-year-old who has balanced hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ and a ‘New Heights’ podcast that has 2.5 million followers with the globe-trotting Eras Tour and Happy Gilmore 2.

Authentic.

“Travis is pretty authentic,” Hunt exclusively told talkSPORT in New Orleans.

“That fun personality is there there every day. But what you get with it also is this amazing energy that he brings to practice every day.

“Here’s a veteran who’s been in the league for 12 years and he’s the hardest working guy at practice every day.”

Even when he’s accompanying Swift on her Era’s Tour, with unexpected cameo appearances on stage, Kelce’s day job is seeing him get closer to eclipsing ex-Chief Tony Gonzalez as the greatest tight end in NFL history.

There are many ways to explain the construction of the Chiefs’ dynasty, which is centered around Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, and could become truly historic with a Super Bowl trophy three-peat in SB LIX.

An overlooked explanation is Kelce’s burning inner drive, which is only revealed inside the Chiefs’ locker room, within on-field huddles, and between the white lines of NFL stadiums across America.

“His young teammates see that and they’re like, ‘Well, if Travis is not taking the day off, I’m not taking the day off,’ ” Hunt said.

“So that incredible example really permeates through the roster.

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“If you need somebody to fire you up on the sideline, especially when things aren’t going well, Travis is going to be the one to do it.

“He’s an eternal optimist and somebody who’s going to help his teammates be their best.”

Some have wondered what exactly Swift sees in Kelce, who can combine party-jock antics with a Midwest aw-shucks persona.

To Chiefs veteran linebacker Josh Uche, he is a ‘solid dude’ in the best possible way.

For all of the hype and flashiness surrounding No. 87 for the Chiefs, Kelce is football real and understands that daily work represents the core truth of NFL life.

“You have conversations walking to get some dinner or in practice. He’s vibing to the music,” Uche said.

“He’s a human just like you and me. And I think that’s what a lot of people forget, because media tends to kind of put people on a pedestal that kind of immortalizes.

“But he’s a human being. He has a family, friends, just like you and me, so he’s a great guy, man.”

Many NFL devotees believe that Kelce will retire and go Hollywood if the Chiefs pull off a three-peat.

Less than a week before Super Bowl LIX, veteran offensive lineman Joe Thuney sees the opposite within his teammate.

“He’s always so locked in and focused in the facility — he’s always there,” Thuney said. “He spends so much time there.

“It’s incredible to see after all these years that the passion is still there. The energy, the time and everything.

“I’m just very lucky to be able to play with him and it’s been awesome.”

Kelce, who has 1,004 career receptions and 12,151 receiving yards, was adamant on Monday that he could approach 40 and still be in a Chiefs uniform.

Eternal optimism has a man who was kicked off his college football team understanding that there is more to life than the NFL — but being a global superstar for the Chiefs is also a great life.

“Early on in my career, I really wanted to be known as the greatest to ever do it,” Kelce said.

“That motivation has changed to just create memories, create a lasting impression on the communities that I’m in, and change the game from where it was when I got in to where it is when I leave.

“And I think that’s the biggest thing is, I’ve done all those things. I’ve made an impact in Kansas City. I’ve transitioned this game into getting the tight end the ball a lot more.

“And on top of that, I’ve had a lot of fun doing it.”