Travis Kelce has told friends he no longer wants to be known as the "party guy," saying, "I have a good understanding of how I want to be portrayed." But people close to him say his love for nightlife remains a sticking point, and it could strain his relationship with Taylor Swift.

Party Image Follows Kelce

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 35, has built a reputation as a social figure away from the field. While he insists he is trying to leave that image behind, observers doubt he can shake it.

Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of "Today with Jenna & Friends," discussed Kelce with guest Erin Andrews. Speaking directly to him, she said, "Once a party girl or boy, always a party girl or boy. Sorry, Travis, but it kind of follows you around like a chaser, you know? And you gotta just stick with it."

She added that the label does not define his entire personality but said it lingers in public perception.

An NFL source told Radar Online that Kelce thrives when his life is structured. "The celebrity lifestyle he's stepped into with Taylor has shattered that," the source said. Constant travel, public appearances, and high-profile events "pulled his focus last season," raising concerns that his balance between football and entertainment is unstable.

Balancing Football, Fame, and Taylor

Kelce admitted in an interview with GQ that outside ventures distracted him. "I think it might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up," he said. He pointed to acting opportunities and hosting duties as part of the pull.

His projects included hosting "Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?" and appearing in Ryan Murphy's "Grotesquerie." Kelce said the experiences were exciting, but he acknowledged they split his energy. "I never want the product to tail off, and I feel like these past two years haven't been to my standard," he told the magazine. "I just have such a motivation to show up this year for my guys."

A source close to the Chiefs emphasized the toll of the league. "NFL seasons are brutal. You can't give 80 percent to football and 20 percent to everything else and still expect to be at the top of your game. Travis knows that, and it's starting to dawn on him that his relationship with Taylor might mean making sacrifices he doesn't want to make."

Kelce himself has admitted he is sensitive to outside criticism. "If someone says something that they don't like about you, you have to be able to understand how you are portraying yourself for them to say that," he said. "I don't want anyone to say anything negative about me... I do want people to look at me like I'm doing good in the world."

Swift's Family Focus

People in Swift's orbit describe her as eager to slow down and focus on family. That priority, they say, is difficult to align with Kelce's enjoyment of the party scene. "Inside, he still loves being a party boy, and Taylor wants desperately to settle down and start a family," one source told RadarOnline.com. "They aren't going to go the distance."

With the NFL season about to begin, Kelce has promised himself a reset. A friend said he is determined to channel "every ounce of energy back into football." Whether that commitment means less time in the spotlight, or less time with Swift, remains uncertain.

Originally published on Music Times

Tags
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce