While every NFL player has a certain level of fame and fortune, Travis Kelce is an especially well-known man. During his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, the tight end established himself as one of the top players around; two Super Bowl rings, a reality show and a podcast didn’t lower his profile either. And that was before links to Taylor Swift pushed him into the celebrity stratosphere.

Now, even non-football fans are familiar with Kelce and his No. 87 jersey. But have you ever wondered how he picked that number?

Well, it wasn’t down to random chance or the choice of an equipment manager. Instead, the jersey is a sentimental tribute to Travis’ brother, Jason.

Let’s break it down.

Travis Kelce, #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs, signs autographs after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 26, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tight end chose his jersey number in honor of his brother, Jason. CANDICE WARD/GETTY IMAGES

Why Does Travis Kelce Wear No. 87?

At the risk of painting with a broad brush, professional athletes aren’t stereotypically viewed as the most emotionally intelligent people around. In Kelce’s case, though, he carries a tribute to his older brother as a key part of his identity.

Ahead of their 2023 Super Bowl showdown, Travis and Jason sat down with NFL Films for a joint interview. And, during that discussion, the younger brother shared the logic behind his jersey number.

“Yeah,” the Chief explained when asked if he wore 87 because of his brother. “If there is a Kelce legacy, two brothers making it to the NFL, it all started in 1987. Because this big guy was born in 1987.”

Jason, for his part, seemed touched, saying: “That’s very cool, Trav.” He also noted that he couldn’t wear 89 under NFL rules (not that he would, even if he could).

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And while big brothers can be an inspiration, Jason did more for Travis than simply throwing a pigskin around in the backyard.

The older brother paved the path to Cincinnati, where Travis followed him. The help didn’t end there though.
During his time with the Bearcats, Travis was hit with a one-year suspension. His brother stepped up, providing some assistance that the Chiefs tight end credits with saving his football career.

“When I got removed from the team, I got my scholarship taken, so I was staying with my brother, I was in his room and his house, kind of like two brothers growing up living in the same room,” Travis Kelce said, according to a Pro Football Talk write-up. “So in terms of rent, I wasn’t paying rent, in terms of food, he was helping me with food, so I was literally living off him for quite a while down there and he was my lifeline.

“I was trying to do the right things, and he went into the coaches’ office and talked to numerous coaches and numerous people on the Cincinnati staff to try to get me another chance to be on the team. I’m forever in debt to this guy for putting his name, our name, putting his honor on the line to get me another chance. When I say I owe it all to him, I really do.”

But that’s not all Jason did for Travis. His relationship with Andy Reid seems to have helped his little brother get landed with the Chiefs.

As No. 87 once explained, the head coach called him on draft day and laid down the law before making things official.

“He said, ‘Listen, shut up. Are you going to mess this up? Are you going to screw this up for yourself and this team? Can I count on you?'” Kelce remembered. “… You’re thinking draft day, you’re thinking this will be the best call of my life. Like, ‘Hey, yeah, we’re gonna draft you. Excited for you.’ He’s like, kind of questioning, ‘Are you going to [blank] this up?’ And I’m just like, ‘Uhhhh, no.’ I’m trying to give him every answer I can give, like ‘I’m going to work hard, I’m gonna be the best, be the best tight end you ever had,’ this and that, blah, blah, blah.”

Eventually, Big Red called an audible and asked for backup.

“He said, ‘Alright, yeah, yeah. Put your brother on the phone,'” Travis continued. “My brother played in Philly for him two years. Actually got drafted by Andy as well. And my brother is on the phone with him, and I just hear my brother saying, ‘OK coach, I got you,’ this and that, this and that. And I guess he told my brother to, you know, make sure this kid doesn’t screw this up for me blah, blah blah. I get back on and he says, ‘Alright we’re gonna take you but the minute you start to go astray I’m gonna kick your ass.'”

Kelce, of course, joined the Chiefs, and the rest is history.

So, even without New Heights, which has played a role in boosting the Kelce brothers’ collective profile, Travis has a lot to thank Jason for. And all of that combines to make his jersey number, one of the most personal parts of an athlete’s identity, a pretty fitting tribute to big brother.