Here's the right way to pronounce Travis Kelce's last name

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  • The pronunciation of Travis Kelce's last name has been disputed over the years.
  • While people often say "Kel-see," Kelce has said in the past that it is actually pronounced "Kels."
  • The Kansas City Chiefs star's brother has said that both pronunciations are technically correct.

The pronunciation of NFL star Travis Kelce's last name has confused people in recent years. So, is it Kels or Kel-see?

The Kansas City Chiefs star has been called Travis Kel-see throughout his career, but in 2021, Kelce said in an interview with the podcast "Bussin' with the Boys" that the correct pronunciation is actually Kels.

"I got Kel-see and then Kels," he said. "My real name is Kels, though."

Kelce's admission caused confusion among fans, as well as among the tight end's Chiefs teammates.

—Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 14, 2021

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted at the time: "You learn something new everyday."

Former Chiefs player Tyreek Hill replied to Mahomes, "So I've been saying his name wrong this entire time." This prompted Mahomes to respond: "Bro he never corrected us once."

Kelce himself jumped into the conversation to say: "you've been sayin it right man, I go by both…. One's my real name and one's a nick name."

—Travis Kelce (@tkelce) July 14, 2021

In reality, both pronunciations are correct.

Amid the confusion in 2021, Kansas City's local news channel FOX 4 called up Kelce's mom, Donna Kelce, to confirm how Kelce is pronounced. Donna said it was Kel-see.

In addition, Kelce's' brother Jason Kelce told the radio show "The 94WIP Morning Show" that the confusion was due to their father, Ed Kelce, changing how he pronounced Kelce out of convenience.

"Our side of the family has always gone by Kel-see," Jason said. "But we have a really small family. We don't have any first cousins, my grandfather on that side was dead before I was born."

"Somehow, we got so disconnected with that side, and my dad at some point — when he was working at the steel mills in Cleveland, Ohio — got tired of correcting everyone who was calling him Kel-see," continued Jason. "Apparently, the standard pronunciation is Kels, which the rest of my family goes by."

The Philadelphia Eagles center continued: "So, my dad, out of pure laziness, completely changed his last name."

As a result, Travis and Jason Kelce have always gone by Kel-see.

In February, the footballers' father, Ed, confirmed the story during his appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast, "New Heights."

"I got tired of correcting people," Ed said, before telling his sons that they can decide for themselves how they want to pronounce Kelce.

"I'm gonna go by both, how about that," Travis responded.

Jason said he is sticking with Kel-see.

So there you have it. Whether you say Kels or Kel-see, you're saying Travis' name right.

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