Imagine the scene: a heated Stanley Cup Playoffs game between the Dallas Stars (leading 2-1 against the Edmonton Oilers in the 3rd period) and in the middle of the action, the jumbotron flashes to none other than Kansas City Chiefs‘ tight end Travis Kelce, cheering from the stands. Cue in Patrick Mahomes‘ hilarious response on X.

The moment unfolded during Game 2 of the Western Conference Final when Kelce was spotted enjoying the hockey game from a suite at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. As the cameras panned to the Chiefs’ star, his quarterback and Texas native Mahomes couldn’t resist the opportunity to engage in some good-natured trash talk, tagging Kelce on Twitter with the cheeky remark, “Yo get out of my arena!!go @DallasStars!!!” Mahomes, a die-hard Dallas sports fan, was clearly staking his claim on the arena.

Besides being the most active quarterback-receiver duo in the history of the NFL, having touchdowns and setting records is something like an easy stroll for them. Despite all these, they have never been hesitant to mock each other on the field and off the field. They celebrate touchdowns by performing their signature “Griddy” dance, and cracking jokes on social media; thus Mahomes and Kelce have demonstrated the power of friendship and healthy competition.

However, this is not just about teasing and making fun of one another, there is a real mutual respect between these two that underscores their triumphs. Mahomes has always commended Kelce’s commitment to his job as well as his talent calling him “one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game” while Kelce termed Mahomes as “the GOAT in the making” acknowledging his leadership skills and ability to work miracles on the pitch.

This will take us into his hockey background to understand how diverse sports experiences have influenced his trajectory in the NFL.

Travis Kelce’s secret Hockey past and Its NFL impact

Kelce’s witty response to Mahomes, joking about his quarterback’s lack of skating skills with the quip “You’ve never even skated!,” hints at a lesser-known aspect of the tight end’s athletic journey–his hockey roots. Long before he was catching touchdowns and “burning” defenses on the gridiron, Kelce was a promising young hockey player, honing his skills on the ice rinks of his hometown in Cleveland, Ohio.

In an old picture that Travis Kelce shared on Instagram on his brother’s podcast “New Heights,” followers were able to see both Jason and Travis posing with their gear on complete with trophies they won during their Squirt AA Division days in Cleveland Suburban Hockey League. It served as a reminder that early success such as showcasing natural athleticism and competitiveness became Kelvin’s trademark when he ventured into American football at a professional level.

It’s no surprise that Kelce’s hockey background has played a significant role in shaping his NFL career. The agility, hand-eye coordination, and physical toughness required on the ice have undoubtedly translated to his dominance as a tight end. Kelce’s ability to make lightning-quick cuts, fight for contested catches, and withstand punishing hits can be traced back to his formative years on the hockey rink, where he learned to “take a licking and keep on ticking.”

As for the game of hockey, Kelce’s hockey roots have encouraged him to love it dearly, and this is something he has carried with him over time. This was seen when Kelce supported the St Louis Blues through their run for the 2019 Stanley Cup and even jokingly doing an imitation of the tradition of drinking out of the Cup with the Vince Lombardi Trophy Cup.

Mahomes is also a big Dallas Stars fan so he can relate to how much passion one can have about ice hockey, which creates another layer of uniqueness between these two players. Last year Connor Bedard, the rookie sensation from the Chicago Blackhawks, offered his assistance to Kelce regardless of mispronouncing his name funnily, this depicts how much Kelce is respected in the world of ice hockey.

As the Mahomes-Kelce duo continues to dominate the NFL, fans can look forward to more hilarious exchanges and heartwarming moments, both on and off the field, solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest quarterback-receiver duos in league history.