Travis and Jason Kelce: The NFL’s Most Famous Brothers Talk Weed-Related Suspensions and Career Consequences
In a recent episode of their podcast, New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce, the dynamic duo discussed the lasting impact of weed-related suspensions in the NFL. And for Travis, it changed the course of his career, leading him to become a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Kelce brothers, arguably the most famous siblings to play in the NFL in recent years, delved into the topic of Travis’ year-long suspension in 2010 for testing positive for THC while playing college football for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. According to Travis, the suspension had serious consequences, even affecting his chances of being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.
After failing a drug test for cannabis, Travis was suspended for the entire 2010 season, with the Bearcats citing a “violation of team rules.” But the truth was, he had tested positive for THC. At the time, Travis was in New Orleans for the 2010 Sugar Bowl with Cincinnati. Not only did he face judgment and ridicule for his supposed immaturity, but it also had a major impact on his future at the NFL’s annual combine, where teams scout out potential new talent.
According to USA Today, while future Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid had faith in Travis despite the failed drug test and suspension, the Dallas Cowboys declined to draft him at the 2013 combine, opting for another player instead. Travis recalled the events of that year on the podcast, with his brother Jason pressing him for more details.
“At the combine, I had some bad interviews,” Travis revealed. “The Cowboys, they were kind of pressing me about having this red flag of missing a year—smoking weed. I don’t know if I was having a bad morning, but I basically just said, ‘If you guys think I’m gonna be that kind of guy or you’re questioning if I’m still that person after everything that I’ve battled through to get to where I am now from missing a season, then you guys probably go somewhere else and pick somebody else.’ And that is exactly what they did.”
While Travis seemed hesitant to discuss the topic, Jason encouraged him to open up. “It ended really fast,” Travis added. “I basically just said, ‘If you guys think I’m gonna be that kind of guy or you’re questioning if I’m still that person after everything that I’ve battled through to get to where I am now from missing a season, then you guys probably go somewhere else and pick somebody else.’ And that is exactly what they did.”
So who did the Cowboys choose instead of Kelce? They ended up drafting tight end Gavin Escobar in the second round. However, Escobar’s career in the NFL was short-lived, with just five seasons and minimal stats compared to Travis’ impressive numbers. In 2023, Travis caught 984 receiving yards, with 1,138 receiving yards in 2022.
Escobar was the 47th overall pick in 2013, while Kelce fell to 63, the first selection of the third round, by the Kansas City Chiefs. The episode of New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce was shared on social media on March 2, sparking a conversation about the lasting impact of weed-related suspensions in the NFL.
This isn’t the first time the Kelce brothers have discussed Travis’ 2010 suspension. In a previous podcast in December 2023, episode 231 of Bussin’ With the Boys, Travis opened up about the suspension and explained how it changed his perspective on his career and life.
