Travis Kelce clinched the title of Athlete of the Year at the prestigious People's Choice Awards, marking a remarkable achievement in his career.
His victory came as a surprise to many, especially considering his initial dismissal of his own nomination, which he famously referred to as "f**king nonsense." The Kansas City Chiefs star, however, chose to spend the evening in Missouri rather than attending the ceremony in Santa Monica, California, following his team's triumph in Super Bowl 58.
Kelce, aged 34, found himself in esteemed company, competing against notable figures such as Coco Gauff, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Sabrina Ionescu, Simone Biles, and Stephen Curry. His skepticism regarding his nomination was evident in an episode of his podcast, where he humorously questioned his inclusion, jokingly referencing his appearance on Saturday Night Live. Interestingly, Kelce's association with pop sensation Taylor Swift, who garnered four awards that night but was absent due to her tour commitments in Australia, raised eyebrows regarding his nomination.
During a conversation with his brother Jason on their podcast, Kelce didn't shy away from commenting on other nominees, including Green Bay Packers safety, Owen, whose controversial remarks about his wife, Simone Biles, sparked a social media frenzy. Kelce's remarks hinted at the ongoing drama surrounding Owen's comments, which had stirred controversy when he claimed he was a bigger catch than his Olympic medalist wife. Despite the backlash, Owen stood by his statements, even when old tweets surfaced, revealing his prior knowledge of Biles and gymnastics.
The saga surrounding Owen's comments unfolded against the backdrop of his marriage to Biles in April 2023, initially in a low-key courthouse ceremony followed by a more elaborate celebration in Mexico. The couple's union had been a topic of public interest, especially given the contrasting narratives surrounding Owen's remarks and Biles' dignified response throughout the ordeal. Despite the controversy, both Kelce's victory and the ongoing discourse surrounding Owen and Biles underscored the complex intersection of sports, celebrity, and personal life in the public eye.
