When Travis Kelce reported to Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on July 21st, fans were quick to notice two things: his beaming smile and his shaggy hair. But beneath the flowing locks and relaxed vibe lies a man deeply committed to his craft. For Kelce, who is entering his 13th NFL season, the dorm room lifestyle at Missouri Western State University is more than a throwback to college days. It’s his sanctuary.
A Routine That Works for Travis Kelce in His ‘Sanctuary’
While some players might dread leaving their luxury homes behind for basic dorm rooms, Kelce embraces it. The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the few remaining NFL teams that hold their entire training camp away from team headquarters, and Kelce wouldn’t have it any other way.
“This is my sanctuary, baby,” Kelce told reporters last season. “Year 12 means I’ve spent just about an entire year in my life up here in the dorms, man. Everybody may see that as pretty grueling, but I enjoy it. There’s something about this place that gets you ready every single year.”
Kelce also revealed that he “got pretty excited” when the countdown began for training camp because he is ready to “get this thing rolling.”
Chiefs Training Camp Is All About Team Chemistry
Kelce believes that the most important part of training camp isn’t just the playbook, it’s building team chemistry. With a 90-man roster that looks a little different every year, players are tasked with bonding quickly and learning to trust one another on and off the field.
Kelce is still fine-tuning his camp routine as a veteran athlete at the age of 34. The tight end noted that “it all starts in the offseason,” explaining that training camp is where you set the foundation for leadership and the proper mindset.
“This is where it all starts. This is where you really find out what the team is made of. How you sharpen the iron, how your guys practice, the practice habits, the attention to detail. And nobody does it better than Coach (Andy) Reid and Coach Spags (Steve Spagnuolo), man,” Kelce said.
“We’ve got new chess pieces, guys who have different traits, and we’re just trying to blend that all together to make the best team possible. This is where you really build that togetherness, that chemistry, and that willingness to lean on each other and fight for each other.”
Travis Kelce Is Still Rocking His ‘Prince Charming Hair’
In between practices and film sessions, Kelce made headlines for something a little less intense — his hair. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend of two years arrived at camp with a laid-back, longer hairstyle that fans quickly dubbed his “luscious Prince Charming hair.”
It’s a style he’s been sporting since the end of last season, including a recent public appearance at the Amazon MGM Studios 2025 Upfront in New York City alongside brother Jason. Kelce’s longtime barber, Vince Garcia, posted a video earlier this offseason after giving him a cleanup cut.
“Glad you running it back next season fam. You def one of the best TEs to ever play the game,” Garcia wrote in the video’s caption.
As for why Kelce is running it back for yet another season? The answer is simple: he loves football.
“I love coming in to work every single day. I know I’m getting older, but at the same time I still feel like I got a lot to prove in this league,” Kelce said.
The Kansas City Chiefs will kick off their 2025 preseason schedule on Saturday, August 9, when they face the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona.
Tell us! Do you think Travis Kelce will stick with his long hair or go back to his normal early season buzz cut? Let us know in the comments below.
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Why Travis Kelce Calls Living In a Dorm Room at Chiefs’ Training Camp ‘His Sanctuary’