by Travis Kelce’s Mustache Evolution
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Travis Kelce has long been known for his ever-changing facial hair styles during his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. From full beards to stubble and everything in between, Kelce has experimented with numerous looks over the years. However, one style in particular has gained massive popularity among Chiefs fans in 2022 – his now iconic mustache, nicknamed “El Travador.”
The Pre-Mustache Era
Prior to debuting El Travador in the summer of 2022, mustaches were not typically part of Kelce’s facial hair repertoire. For much of his early career from 2013-2021, Kelce typically opted for either a clean-shaven look or would grow out short stubble and light beards during the offseason.
As one of the NFL’s top tight ends and a fan favorite in Kansas City, Kelce was always in the spotlight both on and off the field. His face was constantly seen in media appearances, sponsorships, and other marketing campaigns. This likely contributed to him keeping a relatively low-maintenance hairstyle for many years to avoid any unwanted distractions.
While training camps and the regular season always took priority, Kelce also had burgeoning business interests and a growing brand to nurture in the offseason. Complex and elaborate facial hair styles may not have meshed well with those additional responsibilities at the time. So for nearly a decade as a pro, Travis Kelce’s face remained baby smooth or featured only subtle scruff. Fans had yet to witness the glorious ‘stache that would soon change the game.
The Arrival of El Travador
In the summer of 2022, things changed when Kelce debuted his now legendary mustache. Dubbed “El Travador,” it first emerged during the Chiefs’ training camp sessions in St. Joseph, Missouri in late July and early August.
This marked a stark change from Kelce’s usual pre-season look. Gone was the clean-shaven face or light scruff fans had grown accustomed to. In its place stood a thick, bushy mustache that stretched from ear to ear in all its curly glory.
Kelce rocked El Travador for the entirety of training camp, sending Chiefs Kingdom into a frenzy over his new facial hair style. Photos and videos of Kelce on the practice field with his magnificent mustache went viral on social media. Teammates and coaches even got in on the fun, jokingly praising El Travador during press conferences.
Overnight, Kelce’s mustache became a global phenomenon. “El Travador” t-shirts and merchandise flew off the shelves. Fantasy football team names like “El Travador’s Mustache” started popping up everywhere. Even casual NFL fans who didn’t follow the Chiefs were now familiar with Travis Kelce and his magnificent mustache.
The Purpose Behind El Travador
But beyond just wanting to change up his look, Kelce later revealed there was actual purpose and meaning behind debuting El Travador during training camp.
In a recent episode of his reality TV show “New Heights,” Kelce sat down with his brother and fellow NFL tight end Jason Kelce to discuss the origins and significance of his now famous mustache.
He explained that training camp is one of the most mentally and physically grueling periods of the NFL season. With two practices nearly every day under the hot summer sun, it’s an incredibly intensive time to prepare your body and sharpen your skills for the upcoming season.
Kelce said he wanted to send a clear signal during camp that his sole focus was on football and getting ready to help the Chiefs defend their Super Bowl title. The mustache became a way for him to essentially “grow a disguise” and disappear into his work on the practice field without any distractions.
With no public appearances, sponsor events, or other off-field commitments to worry about, El Travador allowed Kelce to fully immerse himself in the grind of training camp. It shielded him from any outside noise or obligations so he could devote his entire mind, body and soul to the game, at least for those few critical weeks of pre-season prep.
In a sense, the mustache almost became a symbolic barrier – with Kelce on one side focused only on football, and the rest of the world and his growing celebrity on the other. It was his way of separating Travis the player from Travis the brand for a brief period, with El Travador serving as the divider between the two.
The Mustache’s Uncertain Future
Now that the 2022 season is underway, the question on everyone’s mind is – what’s next for El Travador? Will Kelce’s iconic mustache remain a permanent fixture, or was it simply a training camp phase? Only time will tell what the future holds for the legendary facial hair.
It’s no secret that Kelce has experimented with numerous hairstyles over the years, from mohawks to man buns to everything in between. His face is a virtual canvas that he enjoys creatively exploring. So permanently keeping the same mustache look seems unlikely, given his history of constantly switching it up.
However, there’s a strong chance El Travador could return each summer for training camp. As Kelce explained, the symbolic purpose it served during those intense weeks of pre-season prep was highly meaningful. Continuing that tradition of “growing a disguise” for camp may appeal to him.
We may also see the mustache make sporadic appearances throughout the season when the Chiefs have bye weeks or after big wins. Kelce clearly loves the reaction it gets from fans, so rocking El Travador for special occasions is a real possibility.
There’s also a chance the mustache could evolve into different shapes or styles rather than remaining static. Maybe next offseason Kelce debuts an even bushier, wider version of El Travador 2.0. Only his imagination seems to limit the potential directions it could grow.
One thing is for certain – Chiefs fans everywhere will be anxiously awaiting Kelce’s facial hair choices each season from here on out. El Travador has cemented its place in NFL folklore and given fans a new player to obsess over beyond just his on-field talents. Whether it remains or transforms, Travis Kelce and his magnificent mustache have created a legacy that will live on forever in Kansas City.
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