Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Alright nah! Travis and Jason Kelce hosted a live “New Heights” show at their alma mater, and it was just as chaotic as Us expected.
Travis, 34, and Jason, 36, visited their old stomping grounds at the University of Cincinnati on Thursday, April 11, for a podcast taping and the first-ever Lombaby Games (a take on the NFL’s Lombardi Trophy). The brothers hyped up the event for weeks before fans filled Fifth-Third Arena on Thursday night.
“We’ve always wanted to do something for this university, for this city,” Travis said as the show began. “You guys have injected us with so much love for the game of football and so much passion.”
Thursday’s festivities featured nods to some of the most viral “New Heights” moments and a few not-so-subtle shout-outs to Travis’ girlfriend, Taylor Swift. Jason’s wife, Kylie Kelce, watched from the sidelines — and was even spotted snapping photos and signing autographs for 30 minutes after the event wrapped up. Donna and Ed Kelce supported their sons during their honorary graduation ceremony, which concluded with Travis’ favorite catchphrase: “You gotta fight for your right to party.”
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce have an enviable sibling bond full of support, laughter and, of course, football. As the brothers have found success in the NFL, they have shared glimpses of their relationship off the field. Their family even served as inspiration for Travis’ Saturday Night Live monologue, which he hosted for the first […]
Scroll down for a recap of the most unhinged moments from the live “New Heights” show:
Welcoming the Swifties
After making their entrances — which were complete with pyrotechnics, of course — Jason and Travis removed their hats to sing the national anthem, and it wasn’t the worst version Us has heard. (Sorry, Fergie.)
When the brothers officially kicked off the festivities, they gave a shout-out to all their fans. “Bearcats, 92%ers, Swifties,” Jason began as the crowd erupted into cheers.
The Lombaby Games
Before interviewing their special guests, Jason and Travis put current UC students to the test in an all-out battle between Team Academic and Team Athletic (a.k.a. nerds vs. jocks). The groups faced off in a series of challenges for the chance at winning the Lombaby Trophy, whose origins are familiar to frequent “New Heights” listeners. Team Academic was ultimately victorious.
Travis Tries (and Fails) to Spell ‘Squirrel’
A spelling bee was part of the games, giving Travis the perfect opportunity to prove he does, in fact, know how to read. Travis attempted to spell “squirrel,” throwing it back to one of his old tweets that went viral in 2023. “F—k you guys!” he teased after getting stumped. (Team Athletic’s Jizzle James spelled the word with ease.)
They asked him how to spell squirrel 😭 pic.twitter.com/ganMRbAskv
— nich⸆⸉ (@rwylnich) April 12, 2024
Shaking It Off
During a round of “name that song,” the marching band played Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Travis immediately started dancing, gushing after the music stopped that it’s “one of my favorites.” He’s not the only fan — Jason said his eldest daughter, Wyatt, also loves the 1989 hit.
How Many Taylor Songs Were Played?
“Shake It Off” might be Travis’ favorite, but the crowd went even more wild when “22 (Taylor’s Version)” played over the loudspeakers. Another video showed “Cruel Summer” blasting through the venue — who knew The Eras Tour was stopping in Cincinnati?
Cruel Summer playing before #NewHeightsLive pic.twitter.com/T3kFhZJGtQ
— allie “hi babe!” N1 INDY!! (@TSwizzleStruck) April 11, 2024
‘Twilight’ (Kelce Version)
An edited Twilight movie poster with Jason as Edward Cullen and Kylie as Bella Swan flashed on the big screen. Jason proved himself to be an unofficial expert on the vampire series in a June 2023 podcast clip, and he hasn’t lived it down since.
Pools of Skyline Chili
The Lombaby Games featured a nod to Cincinnati’s famous Skyline Chili for a game inspired by Jason losing his Super Bowl ring in a hilarious Kelce documentary scene. Students piled into inflatable pools filled with spaghetti and chili — and things got messy.
Travis Kelce hasn’t shied away from giving girlfriend Taylor Swift her flowers on his podcast. The couple’s romance began shortly after the first time Travis mentioned the pop star on the “New Heights” podcast, which he cohosts with brother Jason Kelce. In July 2023, Travis recalled how he saw Swift perform at the Arrowhead Stadium […]
The Sandwich Cannon
While at first glance it appeared as though Travis wielded an average T-shirt cannon as he hyped up the crowd, he was actually firing off Subway sandwiches. “Aerial lunchmeat always does the trick. #Bearcats,” one attendee tweeted. (Earlier in the night, Donna was spotted handing out sandwiches to eager fans.)
#NewHeightsCincy Travis with THE CANNON 💥 pic.twitter.com/uSbsRJrE11
— Jake R (@Jrobidy) April 12, 2024
Jason’s Quick Change
There was a break in the program between the Lombaby Games and the podcast taping, and when Jason returned, he was rocking a pair of bright red gym shorts paired with Timberlands and a sleeveless varsity jacket.
Taylor Swift Spotted (Sort Of)
Not only did fans bring friendship bracelets to trade at the podcast taping, but one attendee even brought a cardboard cutout of Swift to join them in the stands.
