Travis Kelce Shares a Chilling James Harrison Story that Keeps Him Awake at Night

Travis Kelce claimed Steelers legend James Harrison hit him so hard that he nearly lost his bearings during his second year in the NFL.

Travis Kelce Shares a Chilling James Harrison Story that Keeps Him Awake at Night

Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

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Travis Kelce doesn’t get scared by his opponents easily. However, the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end once picked a fight with the wrong player and nearly paid the price for it.

During a recent interview with Barstool Sports on Bussin’ With the Boys, Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, Kelce recalled lining up against legendary Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher James Harrison. The two-time Super Bowl winner had such an intense aura that it gave Kelce goosebumps and cold feet.

Kelce faced off against Harrison in his second season after spending his rookie year on IR. The Chiefs’ coach tasked him with man-marking the 242 pounds of pure muscle. Kelce successfully disrupted Harrison’s rhythm a couple of times and received an intense staredown in return.

Three plays later, Harrison smashed into Kelce, making him see stars.

Just absolutely blindsided. I get up, and like my fu*** head still trying to figure out what the f*** just happened… And I just looking around and he’s [James Harrison] just staring at me, visor on again and I am just like ‘This guy… he’s fu*** killed somebody for sure’.

Travis Kelce said

Lewan spoke about facing Harrison in his rookie season. He was advised to ignore or possibly avoid talking to Harrison. However, implementing this advice can be challenging. People more often than not lose their cool during the heat of the moment, and Lewan was no exception.

[Harrison] kind of lines up in a four [technique], and I’m like, ‘I’m about to cut off this dude so fast.’ And I go to cut him off; I go to put an arm up. He drops down to the ground and just grabs my ankle and starts gator rolling me. And right then and there, I thought, ‘Okay, yeah, it might be over for me’.

Lewan said

Despite going undrafted, Harrison played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers in two stints. He bagged 4x All-Pros, 5 Pro Bowls, one Defensive Player of the Year Award, and two Super Bowls.

James Harrison nearly took Travis Kelce out once

Compton and Lewan weren’t the first duo to listen to Kelce’s story. In 2024, Kelce and his older brother, Jason Kelce, invited running back Saquon Barkley on the New Heights podcast right after he signed for the Eagles.

(Video) Travis Kelce Shared a Chilling James Harrison Story that Keeps Him Awake at Night
Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

They discussed some of the toughest opponents they’ve faced, and Kelce mentioned Harrison. He recounted a similar story from his second NFL season.

[Harrison] is staring at me with the black visor. Can’t really see if he’s looking at me, but I know he’s looking at me. Because he’s not saying anything… I’m looking at the ball. He’s looking at my blind side. Obviously never talked s*** to him again.

Travis Kelce said (H/T: Sports Illustrated)

Kelce doesn’t have to worry about another stare-down from Harrison because he retired in 2017. The guys he should be concerned about are Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson, Maxx Crosby, and Aidan Hutchinson, breathing down his neck.

However, Kelce is no longer a green tight end. He is set to play in his 13th NFL season, aiming to win his fourth ring. He came close in 2024, but the Chiefs suffered a humiliating 40-22 defeat to the Eagles. Kelce ended the season with 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns.

On the opening week of the 2025 campaign, the Chiefs are scheduled to travel to Brazil and play against divisional rivals the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo.

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