Travis Kelce Spills Truth on NFL Coach That Fueled his Career with Pre-Draft Meeting

The Chiefs star recalls an unforgettable moment that changed his football mindset

Travis Kelce recently shared a pre-draft experience that left a lasting impression on him. During a visit to Washington ahead of the 2013 NFL Draft, he met with tight ends coach Sean McVay, and the encounter completely changed his mindset about football.

Kelce recalled the visit with the Super Bowl-winning coach on the New Heights podcast, describing how McVay’s intensity immediately stood out.

“I just remember him talking so fast,” Kelce said. “He was just rambling, ripping through stuff, and I’m sitting there like, ‘Dude, I don’t know how, but you got me this jacked up about playing football right now.’”

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce celebrates with defensive end George Karlaftis after defeating the Denver Broncos.

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

McVay’s energy was unlike anything Kelce had seen during the pre-draft process. The future Super Bowl champion admitted that no other coach made him feel as excited about the game as McVay did in that one meeting.

McVay’s enthusiasm wasn’t an act—football had been part of his life since childhood. His grandfather, John McVay, played a key role in the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty, and Sean grew up surrounded by the game at the highest level.

Before coaching, McVay played wide receiver at Miami University in Ohio, where he recorded 39 catches for 312 yards. While his playing career didn’t lead to the NFL, his deep understanding of the game earned him coaching jobs with the Buccaneers and Washington before the Rams made him the youngest head coach in modern NFL history in 2017.

Kelce’s Lasting Takeaway From That Meeting

For Kelce, his pre-draft interaction with McVay wasn’t just about X’s and O’s—it was an early look at the kind of energy and commitment it takes to succeed at the highest level. McVay has since built a reputation as one of the brightest offensive minds in football, leading the Rams to multiple Super Bowl appearances.

Now, as Kelce builds his own Hall of Fame-worthy legacy, he still remembers the impact of that meeting. If one conversation with McVay had that much of an effect on him, it’s no surprise that McVay has been able to inspire entire locker rooms throughout his career.