Travis Kelce Opens Up on Overcoming Drug Shame as Chiefs Prepare in São Paulo
Friends and family say the veteran tight end has confronted past drug-related shame while the Chiefs ramp up for Friday's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers
Travis Kelce said to have moved past feelings of shame tied to past drug use as he and the Kansas City Chiefs continued preparations in São Paulo for Friday night's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, friends and family told the Daily Mail.
The veteran tight end and his teammates arrived at the São Paulo Athletic Club shortly after 10:30 a.m. Thursday and took to a freshly painted practice field for a brief workout. Afterward, Kelce sat inside a creaking clubhouse alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the team finalized preparations ahead of the international regular-season game.
Team officials said the Chiefs were mobbed at the airport earlier in the day as they arrived in Brazil, and the club described the São Paulo Athletic Club as an "oasis" in the city’s financial district. The facility, with roots reaching back to 19th-century British railway workers, provided an unusual backdrop for an NFL team: the clubhouse walls were noted for their pictures of England, including portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth and other historical images.
Friends and family who spoke with the Daily Mail described Kelce as having confronted and worked through feelings of shame connected with prior drug use, and said support from close relations played a role in helping him move forward. The accounts, given as the team ramps up for what some have termed a potential NFL "swan song" for the veteran, portray a player focusing on preparation and on-field responsibilities.
Coach Andy Reid's staff oversaw the short practice session, and sources within the team said the emphasis remained on routine and execution rather than off-field matters. The Chiefs' decision to hold part of their preparation at the São Paulo Athletic Club was framed as an opportunity to engage international fans and acclimate ahead of a game played outside the United States.
The matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers marks one of the NFL's continued efforts to expand its regular-season footprint overseas. The Chiefs' arrival in São Paulo continued a pattern of high-profile teams traveling abroad for early-season games, drawing significant local interest and large crowds at airports and public appearances.
Kelce, a central figure in the Chiefs' offense for years, has drawn increased public attention in recent seasons, and teammates expressed a desire to keep focus on football as the season begins. The team’s short window in São Paulo was used to finalize game plans, adjust to the climate and conditions, and prepare players for the nuances of playing a regular-season game in an international setting.
As the Chiefs head into the opener, the organization and its players stressed routine and mental preparation. The club will face the Chargers Friday night, with kickoff set to mark the start of the NFL regular season and the culmination of the team's brief international training period.