Before Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift became headline news, the Kansas City Chiefs star was already making waves for his dating life. Back in 2016, Kelce starred in his own reality dating show, “Catching Kelce,” where he tried dating 50 women—one from each state—in hopes of finding a girlfriend. The show only lasted one season, but it definitely caught the attention of Kelce’s teammates.
Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, the team’s all-time tackle leader, recently shared how the locker room reacted when the show aired.
“He tried not to [talk about the show in the locker room] but we kind of teased him at times, because when you’re playing for Andy Reid, there’s no distractions. You got to do your job and do it at a high level. So we were aware of the show in the locker room. We’d throw different stuff out there. But when it came to football, it was all business,” Johnson told Fox News Digital.
Kelce turned 27 in October 2016 when the show aired, right in the middle of that NFL season. At the time, he was enjoying his first 1,000-yard receiving year and was in the middle of what would become ten straight Pro Bowl appearances. Still, Johnson admitted that while the guys had fun giving Kelce a hard time, they also respected his confidence off the field.
“He had that taken care of. Good or bad, that’s the area that he needs no help in,” Johnson said.
The show ended with Kelce choosing Maya Benberry from Kentucky as his girlfriend. But their relationship didn’t last long, and by 2017, Kelce was reported to be dating model Kayla Nicole. The two stayed together, off and on, for about five years before splitting in May 2022.
Then came 2023, when Kelce began his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift. Johnson, who had already retired by then, couldn’t help but notice.
“He outkicked his coverage. Taylor’s big time,” Johnson said. “Kelce’s big time as well, football-wise, but she is globally. So they’re definitely a power couple.”
Johnson, who played his final NFL season with the rival Raiders in 2018, remains an admired figure in Chiefs history. Though his career ended before the team’s recent dynasty of three Super Bowl wins and five appearances from 2019 to 2024, his leadership left a lasting mark on Kelce’s early years. Looking back, Johnson said it was clear that the young tight end was destined for greatness.
“None of us knew who he could really be. He probably didn’t know it at all either. And once he got going after his second year, third year, I was like, ‘This guy is the man!’” Johnson said.
From reality TV to the spotlight of NFL stardom, and now as half of one of the world’s most famous celebrity couples, Kelce’s journey has been anything but ordinary. And while his teammates may have once teased him about “Catching Kelce,” there’s no doubt he’s more than proven himself both on and off the field.