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Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end known as much for his athletic dominance is leaning all the way into his "Big Yeti" nickname as the 35-year-old NFL star unapologetically shows off his body hair.
The three-time Super Bowl champion went shirtless after a Florida workout on Tuesday, May 20 when he was spotted leaving an intense training session with Detroit Lions tight end Ross Travis and personal chef Kumar Ferguson.
The trio, working out under the hot sun in the Sunshine State, attracted paparazzi interest after Kelce stripped down from his pre-workout in an all-black athletic outfit revealing his chest and back hair in full as the photos quickly went viral.
The Chiefs star wasted no time playing into the image either as on the May 21 episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with brother in his signature self-deprecating style.
"Me and heat just don't do well together," Kelce quipped, before describing himself as a "furry son of a b**ch."
In the same episode, he wore two shirts, presumably for comfort while recording and he didn't shy away from acknowledging the attention - perhaps doubling up on layers as a subtle joke about his own hair.
Why is Kelce called the Big Yeti?
The origins of Big Yeti go back to Kelce's college days at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned the moniker during pick-up basketball games in their more revealing jerseys.
Rather than reject the label, Kelce has capitalized on it and even now sells two versions of "Big Yeti" T-shirts, each celebrating his trademark look with playful illustrations and bold typography.
"I had the big beard," Travis said on New Heights. "I had the long hair. I had the chest hair, back hair, arm hair, leg hair.
"It's just a big ole Yeti out there, man," Travis chimed in, describing his look. "All the homies on the court were calling me 'Big Yeti.'"
The internet, predictably, responded to the workout images with a mix of humor, , and debate. Comments on social media ranged from adoration to critiques, though those who expressed distaste were quickly outnumbered.
Some fans even crafted reworked Taylor Swift lyrics to fit the Big Yeti theme, blending for Kelce with nods to his superstar girlfriend as the Swifties continue to pay keen interest to the couple's relationship.
In an era where image is often curated to perfection, Travis continues to offer something rare: authenticity. His willingness to turn body hair into a brand demonstrates not only confidence, but also a deliberate refusal to conform to superficial expectations.
Let's see if NFL commentators pick up on it during Chiefs games in the 2025/26 season, which begins with a trip to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, September 5.