Travis Kelce brought back the 'stache to start the 2024 NFL season.
While the Chiefs' star tight end has long been considered a beard guy, he rocked a mustache to start the 2023 season — which coincided with the beginning of his relationship with pop megastar Taylor Swift.
Kelce eventually grew out the mustache into his more usual manicured beard, he returned to a mustache to start Kansas City's title defense. The 34-year-old gave fans a glimpse of the 1970s-coded mouser during preseason, and they'll be able to see it in all its glory when the Chiefs kick off the regular season Thursday against Baltimore.
Here's what you need to know about the latest innovation in Kelce's collection of facial hair styles.
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Travis Kelce's mustache, explained
Kelce's latest look is perhaps his most surprising. Not because it's unsightly — a great many social media users have praised the Kansas City pass-catcher for his willingness to switch things up.
Rather, it's simply a look we're not too used to seeing Kelce. He's tended to be a grizzly man throughout his career, evident not only by his play, but also the way he manicures his stubble.
That's not the case in 2024, however. He went to clippers ahead of the campaign and came out a changed man.
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The reason for Kelce's new style is a simple one. He wanted to be like his head coach, Andy Reid.
"I always do the Andy Reid special, baby," Kelce said on a recent episode of the "New Heights" podcast he co-hosts with his older brother, Jason.
His facial hair wasn't the only thing Kelce was altering for the upcoming season. Kelce had to let his hair get unruly one way or another. Which hair? That didn't matter.
"I grew out the hair, though. I switched it up ... I don't [have] the buzz cut," Kelce said.
When crafting comparisons for his current facial hair setup, Kelce invoked the cult classic film "Super Troopers" (2001).
"I'm not a Super Trooper, I'm more ... kind of like a different character with the 'stache," Kelce said.
"But, yeah, just having some fun with it," Kelce added. "And while I'm at training camp, I really don't care how I look. I just want to be there and try and make it the most enjoyable experience ever."
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Kelce has plenty more eyes on him heading into this season than last. Much of that has to do with his relationship with Swift, who is on a break from her record-setting Eras Tour. Couple that added attention with the pressure of attempting to capture a third consecutive Super Bowl title, and it's clear that Kelce has lots of weight to carry throughout the campaign.
A new facial hair chop, no matter how innocuous it may appear, could help the hulking tight end keep his head during the early portions of the year.
Look good, play good. Kelce will hoping that old adage will ring true once more in 2024.