“It’s also an ode just to the ups and downs of the season,” Travis said

Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you — Travis Kelce’s beard is, in fact, getting bushier and bushier.

But there’s a method to his madness.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is growing it out for a reason. Call it strategy, call it superstition, but he told his brother, Jason Kelce, on the Feb. 8 episode of their podcast New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce that he’s playing better with more facial hair.

“We’re growing it, baby,” Travis, 34, said when Jason, 36, asked why his facial hair was getting so long.

Jason asked if it was his playoff beard or more of an “ode” to his hockey roots, and Travis admitted it’s a bit of both.

“It’s also an ode just to the ups and downs of the season,” he added, telling his brother that he hasn’t shaved since before Christmas. (That’s almost two months for anyone keeping track.)

Jason asked if Travis feels “rugged” with this much facial hair going on, to which the younger Kelce agreed.

He said it feels like he’s been “working” toward something and “like I’ve been focused on something.”

Perhaps that “something” that Travis is working for is winning the Super Bowl this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The two face off in Las Vegas to see who will take home the ultimate prize: the Vince Lombardi trophy (and bragging rights).

“I haven’t been worried about anything but getting s— done,” he said. “I feel the power of [the beard]. I’ve been playing way better since I’ve been growing it.”

He did not say, however, if or when he’ll be shaving once the Super Bowl is over.

Travis Kelce Says Taylor Swift’s 2024 Grammys Look Was ‘Fresh’: ‘I Liked That’
Along with growing his beard out in the latter half of this season for good luck, Travis has also had his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, in the stands for most of the games cheering him on. While speaking to SiriusXM NFL Radio during Super Bowl’s opening night in Las Vegas on Monday, Travis said Swift is “all in” when it comes to being in the fandom.

“She’s part of Chiefs Kingdom 100%.”

Travis also elaborated on a previous question about what it’s like managing the extra media attention that comes from dating the 14-time Grammy winner.

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“You asked me how it is,” Travis began. “And to be honest, I’m learning throughout this all.”

The two-time Super Bowl winner (Travis won with the Chiefs in 2020 and 2023), added, “I’m just kind of on the plane ride, just cruising and trying to figure this thing out on the run,” as he navigates his surging fame while dating Swift.

The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will face off in Super Bowl LVIII, airing on CBS on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. ET.