Travis Kelce surprises fans at a college game to back an old teammate, but one play turns everything upside down.QQ

Travis Kelce spent his Friday night immersed in Kansas high school football, showing up to support a familiar face from his Kansas City Chiefs days.

The 36-year-old tight end was spotted at the quarterfinal matchup between Mill Valley High School and St. James Academy on November 14, where he hoped to cheer on the team coached in part by his former teammate, fullback Anthony Sherman.

Sherman now serves as an assistant coach at St. James, a detail shared by KSHB 41 reporter Matt Foster in a post on X.

Also on the sidelines was another former Chiefs player, tight end Blake Bell, who stood beside Kelce throughout the game.

Their presence generated plenty of buzz among fans, many of whom were thrilled to see NFL stars taking time to support local athletes during a crucial playoff round.

However, despite the added star power, the night didn’t end the way St. James supporters had hoped.

According to reporting from The Kansas City Star, the team fell in a narrow and hard-fought battle, losing 41-38 to Mill Valley in a thrilling but heartbreaking finish.

Kelce’s ongoing connection to high school football

While some were surprised to see Travis Kelce in the stands of a high school playoff game, the gesture fits perfectly with the tight end’s longtime enthusiasm for supporting young athletes.

Kelce, who played his own high school football at Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio, has often spoken about how influential those years were in shaping him both as a player and a leader.

Earlier this year, that passion was on full display when Kelce spent time working out with two high school football prospects in Georgia during the NFL offseason.

The session happened not long after the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

One of the players, Jazz Lewis, son of former NFL running back Jamal Lewis, shared his excitement online afterward.

“Got some good work in with Travis Kelce this past week,” Jazz wrote on X. He added that he “learned a lot from the Super Bowl legend” during their session.

Moments like these highlight the impact Kelce has beyond professional football. Whether offering advice, training with up-and-coming players, or showing up for his former teammates, he frequently finds ways to give back to the sport at every level.

Even amid a busy NFL schedule, Travis Kelce has managed to draw attention off the field as well.

Earlier in the month, he and fiancee Taylor Swift enjoyed two consecutive date nights in New York City during the Chiefs‘ bye week, first at The Polo Bar, then at the exclusive private club Zero Bond.

The pair were photographed holding hands as they arrived, adding fuel to the ongoing fascination surrounding their relationship.