Travis and Jason Kelce—now, those names don’t need much introduction, especially if you’re a pigskin fanatic. Jason’s a former Eagles vet, while Travis is eyeing a three-peat with the Chiefs in 2024. But you would be surprised when we tell you that their success story wouldn’t have been possible without a little tough love from their dad, Ed Kelce.

Ed was a former sales rep for steel manufacturers. So, just try to see the toughness in him with a little undertone as he made sure his sons knew what hard work really meant. On his new podcast, Stories With Papa, Ed shared a moment from when his boys were in high school. It came up when podcast guest and former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar opened up about his journey to the professional league.

“When I was 12 years old in 1975, just about everybody in Youngstown, Ohio, in some way, was tied to working for the steel mills,” Kosar said, adding, “My dad took me to the mill and showed me how dirty it was and what some of your options were in life. He said, ‘Son, if you do good in school and keep playing football, you have an opportunity not to have to do what everyone else in our family has done.” The quarterback’s father showed Bernie not just how much hard work it took to work in a steel mill but also how unhealthy the environment was. Ed Kelce shows his boys something similar.

Before each of their senior years in high school, Ed took them to a steel mill and said, “Look around. You can do this for the rest of your life or follow in your mom’s footsteps.” For context, Mama Kelce, Donna, was a successful banker, and Ed’s message was crystal clear—choose your path wisely. It was either that or following in his footsteps (Ed was a sales representative in the steel industry).

Fast forward, and we all know how that turned out. Jason and Trav chose neither the steel mill nor the bank—they went straight for the gridiron. But to be fair, they really had no choice but to ‘make it.’ Why? Ed’s warning was enough: “You’ll make the most of this education, or I’ll buy you both a pair of steel-toed boots.” Tough but fair, right? And clearly, it worked like a charm.

After graduating from high school, the brothers attended the University of Cincinnati. But their journey to the NFL from there on was quite challenging. First, Jason played as a linebacker in high school, and the offensive line was never on his radar. But after joining the Bearcats and training under Brian Kelly, he changed positions and started playing as a center. “This turned out to be the biggest turning point in my career,” he described the switch.

Following him was Travis, who started off as a quarterback, having played in the position in high school. “Honestly, sports gave me a lot of confidence. I wasn’t the best student in terms of reading and doing math and everything,” he’s once revealed. However, after failing a drug test, he lost his spot on the Bearcats roster as well as his scholarship. Sitting out an entire year, it was his brother who vouched for him. The younger Kelce returned to the team in his senior year with a new scholarship. And a new position – a tight end. And, well, the rest is history.

Strict or not, Ed’s tough love paved the way for two NFL stars. And guess what? At least, both Jason and Travis mutually agree on one thing there. The strictness of their dad.

Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce remember Ed’s way of fathering!

So, on their New Heights podcast, Jason Kelce introduced his new puppy, Nessie, to Travis Kelce—and he was all smiles. “That’s a good-looking pup,” he said, watching his brother melt over the little Irish wolfhound. But Jason quickly spilled the tea. Behind all that cuteness? Chaos. “She’s sweet now, but this dog’s a terror,” he joked. Apparently, Nessie’s already pulling dishes out of the sink with her teeth—sounds like she’s got some serious game!

As Nessie went off-screen to stir up more trouble, Jason’s “dad voice” made an appearance: “Hey! Don’t you go in that toilet bowl!” He said this much, and it was enough for Travis to have a lightbulb moment. He laughed, remembering their own dad, Ed, and his iconic one-liners.

“The famous Kelce way of fathering,” Travis said, grinning. He shared how their dad used to hit them with, “Hey! Don’t make me get up,” which had Jason cracking up. You know how it is—once a 90s dad says that, it’s game over, right?

That no-nonsense approach? Well, it clearly worked. Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce won’t be complaining. And they did not. Because it has helped shape them into the NFL stars they are today. Guess the Kelce winning streak runs deeper than just football, huh?

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