Man’s best friend isn’t just a cliché for the Kelce family – it’s a way of life. The NFL world got a glimpse into the softer side of this football dynasty when Papa Kelce shared a heartbreaking update on Instagram.

Ed Kelce, father of NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, posted a touching tribute to their beloved dog Roxie on June 30, 2024. The photo showed a handmade wooden cross adorned with a heart emoji and the words “RIP Roxieann.” It was a stark reminder that even tough-as-nails football families aren’t immune to the pain of losing a furry friend.

“We finally got around to burying my beloved Roxie,” Ed wrote in the caption. The post revealed how the entire neighborhood rallied around the Kelces in their time of grief. Ella, the Kelces’ young neighbor, channeled her inner artist to create Roxie’s memorial. Her brothers, Teddy and Grif, stepped up as the “grave site attendants,” proving that sometimes the most important plays happen off the field.

The plaque on Roxie’s grave tells a story of its own. It depicts the pup crossing the Rainbow Bridge, greeted by her old pals Jack and Henry. Following close behind is Winnie, the Irish Wolfhound who belonged to Jason and Kylie Kelce. Winnie had passed away just weeks after Roxie, making the loss even more poignant for the tight-knit family.

But the Kelce family’s tale of canine companionship doesn’t end there. It’s a legacy that stretches back to 1995 when Jason and Travis welcomed their first MVP (Most Valuable Pup), Belle. In a nod to their love of sports, they named her after Cleveland Indians slugger Albert Belle.

This loss hits especially hard on the heels of another. Just weeks before Roxie’s tribute, Jason and Kylie Kelce said goodbye to their own furry teammate, Winnie the Irish Wolfhound. Kylie’s heartfelt Instagram tribute called Winnie her “first-born child,” a sentiment that resonates with pet lovers everywhere.

Travis Kelce’s doggone love story!

While the Kelce family mourns Roxie and Winnie, the younger Kelce is a proud dog dad to his own furry squad. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is the proud owner of two pups: Chauncey, a Pomsky he got in 2017, and Rambo, a Goldendoodle who joined the family in 2018.

Travis Kelce isn’t shy about showing off his canine companions. On August 26, 2019, he celebrated International Dog Day by posting a pic of his dynamic duo on Instagram. It’s clear these pups are more than just pets – they’re MVP members of Team Kelce.

But here’s where the play gets interesting. Travis’s girlfriend, pop queen Taylor Swift, is famously feline-friendly. She’s got a trio of cat companions: Meredith and Olivia (Scottish Folds) and Benjamin (a Ragdoll). As Travis and Taylor’s relationship heats up faster than a two-minute drill, fans are wondering if it’ll be a “Cats vs. Dogs” showdown or a harmonious “Best of Both Worlds” when they eventually share a home.

The Kelce family’s love for their pets runs deeper than any playbook. From Belle to Roxie, Winnie to Chauncey and Rambo, these furry friends have been there through victories and defeats, retirements and new beginnings. They’re not just pets – they’re the heart and soul of Team Kelce, proving that sometimes the biggest wins in life have nothing to do with the scoreboard.