CLEVELAND — Five years from whenever he retires, Travis Kelce will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
But according to a reliable source, the six-time All-Pro tight end was hoping he wouldn't have to wait so long to make his return to Northeast Ohio.
Speaking to 3News' Jay Crawford, Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, discussed her recent one-day trip to see both of her sons, Travis and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, play in separate playoff games on the same day. But when asked about the possibility of her sons, who both starred at Cleveland Heights High School, one day returning to the area to play for the Browns, Donna revealed that Travis had previously hoped to be drafted by his hometown team.
"The Browns have to want them first. Travis was out there and they didn't pick him and he was crushed," Donna said. "He always wanted to play there. But it just didn't happen. It is what it is."
Cleveland's loss was Kansas City's gain, as the Chiefs selected Kelce out of the University of Cincinnati in the third round (No. 63 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. In the nine seasons since, the younger Kelce brother has amassed a Hall of Fame-caliber resume, including a 2020 season in which he tallied 1,416 receiving yards -- the most ever in a single season for a tight end.
Now 32-years-old, Kelce is a key cog in a Kansas City offense that also features star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Set to host the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round this weekend, the Chiefs are looking to make another run to the Super Bowl with what would be a third consecutive AFC title.
All of that success in Kansas City, however, has only made a potential return to Cleveland less likely for Kelce, who will enter the first year of a four-year, $57.25 million extension next season.
"Right now, he is very, very fortunate with the quarterback he has and the head coach that he has and I don't think you could pry him away at this moment," Donna said. "I think he would go kicking and screaming not just to the Browns, but anywhere."
You can watch Jay's full interview with Donna in the video player below.