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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a cornerstone of the franchise’s recent dominance, is suddenly grappling with an unexpected rival—one that won’t meet him on the football field. Despite confirming his return for the 2025 NFL season, whispers about Kelce’s longevity intensified after a lackluster showing in the Chiefs’ crushing 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 35-year-old veteran managed just four catches for 39 yards, sparking speculation about retirement—a narrative he swiftly shut down.
Now, as he gears up to silence critics on the gridiron, a fresh challenge looms, threatening to divert the spotlight from his storied career.
An NFL rival steps into Travis Kelce’s spotlight
The surprise contender? Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who’s swapping playbooks for scripts in a bold pivot to acting. Jackson is set to make his Hollywood debut in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Starz’s gritty crime drama prequel to the hit series Power. His character, “E-Tone,” is described as “deadly and dangerous,” a far cry from the MVP-caliber quarterback fans know. Jackson teased his role on social media, sharing a still from the episode and declaring,
“You don’t want to get on his bad side.”
The series, set in 1990s New York, follows a young Kanan Stark (played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) as he navigates his family’s drug empire. Jackson’s cameo adds star power to the critically acclaimed show, which has already amassed a loyal fanbase. His Instagram post about the role racked up over 200,000 likes, with fans buzzing about his unexpected career detour.
Kelce’s Hollywood footprint vs. Jackson’s new ambitions
Travis Kelce, no stranger to off-field ventures himself, has dabbled in TV hosting and commercials while maintaining his NFL prowess. But Jackson’s leap into acting—a realm Kelce has cautiously explored—adds a twist to their rivalry. While Kelce’s future in Kansas City hinges on bouncing back from his Super Bowl slump, Jackson’s dual identity as athlete and actor raises questions about how NFL stars balance legacy with reinvention.
Why this crossover
Jackson’s move mirrors a growing trend of athletes testing Hollywood’s waters, from Dwayne Johnson to Terry Crews. Yet, for Travis Kelce, the timing is poignant. As he fights to prove he’s still elite, Jackson’s rising profile—both on and off the field—serves as a reminder that an athlete’s influence extends beyond touchdowns. For Chiefs fans, the hope is that Kelce channels this pressure into another championship run. After all, in the NFL—and now Hollywood—nobody stays on top forever.
