Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has not had his usual standout season in 2024, but still managed to earn the most votes from fans for the 2025 Pro Bowl, with 252,200 votes. It is believed that his relationship with singer Taylor Swift has boosted his popularity, taking him to a new level of fame outside of football. This will mark Kelce’s 10th Pro Bowl selection, despite not reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015. Kelce’s success is not limited to the football field, as he has also hosted Saturday Night Live and appeared on reality television.
In addition to Kelce, the Chiefs as a team have struggled on offense this season. Despite this, they have still managed to secure a 15-1 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The defense has been a major factor in the team’s success, along with some fortunate bounces of the ball. Kelce’s teammate Jahmyr Gibbs received the second-highest number of votes for the Pro Bowl, just under 2,000 votes behind Kelce. Other notable players in the top five include Jayden Daniels, Joe Burrow, and Jared Goff.
The Pro Bowl Games have been restructured in recent years, moving away from a full-contact all-star game to a week of skills competitions and a flag football game. The games will take place in Central Florida, culminating in a 7-on-7 flag football game between the AFC and NFC at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2. Retired Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning will serve as head coaches for the two conferences. This change has been aimed at making the Pro Bowl more engaging for both players and fans.
Kelce’s standout season may not have lived up to his usual standards, but his popularity remains high among fans, as evidenced by his Pro Bowl selection. His relationship with Taylor Swift has likely played a role in boosting his public profile. Despite the Chiefs’ struggles on offense, the team has continued to find success through their defense and key plays. The restructured Pro Bowl format has provided a fresh take on the tradition, emphasizing skills competitions and a more interactive experience for players and fans. The upcoming Pro Bowl promises to be an exciting event with the involvement of high-profile coaches like the Manning brothers.
