Was hosting SNL the tough gig for Travis Kelce? 

Travis Kelce may dominate the football field, but stepping into the world of comedy sketches has been a whole different game for him. The NFL star, known for his bold plays and high-energy personality, traded shoulder pads for cue cards during his March 2023 hosting debut on Saturday Night Live. And while fans saw him deliver laughs and charm on screen, Kelce recently admitted the experience wasn’t all smooth sailing.

In a candid moment on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end opened up about the behind-the-scenes reality of hosting one of TV’s most iconic live shows. According to Travis, it wasn’t the stage or cameras that got to him; it was the table read.

Travis Kelce opens up about his SNL struggles

During his July 1 podcast appearance, Travis let the cat out of the bag that the table read of SNL was the worst experience of the week. He admitted,

"The table reading, for a guy who can't actually read that well, it was sort of a f--ked situation"

Instead of going into character or listening to his phrasing, he simply attempted to plow through the script.

The quote soon started going viral across the web, with the fans being astonished at how openly Kelce had discussed his struggles. Some liked him for being honest and introspective, while others empathized with the pressure of having to deliver beyond one's capabilities. The moment went viral online and also created debate regarding the frantic schedule and format of shows like SNL, and how difficult it is for guest hosts in their debut to handle.

Though the table read was intimidating, Travis Kelce said he made it clear that he was serious about taking the job. He said he approached the gig thinking that he needed to have fun, but also wanted to gain respect. He stated, continuing to say he hoped the cast and crew valued that he was going all out,

"I don't want to be a loser doing this."

Even though acting does not come as a second nature to him, Travis Kelce looked to his athletic background for counsel. Comparing a week's worth of football training to the surprise launch into sketch comedy, he admitted that he was not as prepared for SNL. However, he accepted orders in the same way that he'd accept tips on the playing field:

"Coach me up," he instructed the directors. "If I suck, tell me I suck."

We can see that Travis Kelce wasn't present just to phone in some skits; he wanted to do it the correct way. Though it was uncharted territory, his willingness to be coached and take full-on criticism resonated with fans and performers alike.

In the end, Travis Kelce’s SNL hosting gig may have come with a steep learning curve, but he tackled it with humility, humour, and heart. Whether you’re a football fan or not, his behind-the-scenes honesty was a refreshing reminder that even champions get nervous and that it’s okay to admit when something is tough.

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