Legendary Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce can add one more accolade to his resume: SNL host.
Kelce joins a list of NFL players, including JJ Watt, Tom Brady and the Manning brothers, to host the iconic late-night show.
In his opening monologue, Kelce talked about his most recent Super Bowl win against his brother and the spotlight that was put on his family leading up to the big game.
“I got to play against my brother Jason, and my mom was on TV more than the both of us,” Kelce said.
Kelce continued to talk about the special relationship that he and Jason have on the gridiron from playing high school and college ball together over the years.
Before wrapping up his monologue, Kelce took time to reflect on his past reality television experience with his show “Catching Kelce,” a dating show where “The Bachelor” met football.
“It was kind of like The Bachelor, except instead of roses I passed out footballs,” Kelce said. “And instead of watching, people did not.”
Kelce talked about growing up watching Chris Farley on the very stage he was standing on and got choked up before ending his monologue.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Kelce said, holding back tears.
Kelce performed in a variety of live and pre-recorded skits during the episode. From being a sketchy grown-up in an American Girl Café creeping out Kenan Thompson to making native Kansas Citian Heidi Gardner’s character cry uncontrollably at the bar after she learned he is engaged to another woman.
Kelce even got his brother, Jason, and his teammate Creed Humphrey in on the SNL fun with a few skits.
He wrapped up the show by welcoming musical guest Kelsea Ballerini to the stage.
Overall, Kelce’s performance was better than most would expect from a professional athlete by letting his comedic chops and charisma shine.
He looked very comfortable in front of the live audience in the studio and the millions of people watching across the country. Kelce could see himself in an on-camera role after he decides to retire from the NFL.
Here are my personal grades for his acting in each of his skits:
American Girl Café: A
This skit was definitely unique, but Kelce played into the overall “weirdness” tone and dropped some good one-liners throughout.
Self-Defense Class: A
Kelce might have found his new alter ego in Kurt Lightning. Keeps the serious tone of a self-defense instructor while working in some good comedic (and literal) jabs in the mix.
Mama’s Funeral: A+
Ever wondered what it would be like to have a loved one turned into one of those singing robots from Chuck E. Cheese? This skit has all of that and then some. Kelce kept a straight face and delivered smoothly throughout one of the most chaotic skits of the night.
Abby the Ex-Girlfriend: A+
Probably the best one from last night. Kelce and KC native Heidi Gardner both shined. Kelce truly embraced the awkwardness of telling a former lover that you’re marrying someone else.
Too Hot to Handle: B
The only thing holding Kelce back in this scene is his Aussie accent. Other than that, he embraces the chaos of being too hot to handle.
Garrett From Hinge: B-
This was probably Kelce’s most lackluster performance on the night. Mostly off to the side to let Heidi Gardner shine.
Family Meeting: A+
Another solid performance to close out his time on SNL. The arrogance of the role as mom’s new man is where he shined the brightest.
You can watch all of the skits involving Travis Kelce here on SNL’s YouTube page.