Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce threw out the first pitch before the Cleveland Guardians faced the Seattle Mariners on Friday but the two-time Super Bowl winner’s attempt met the grass about halfway to home plate and bounced right by pitcher Shane Bieber.
The 33-year-old is a popular figure in the NFL, hosting "Saturday Night Live” as well as his own podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, who plays for rival team the Philadelphia Eagles. But his horror pitch in Cleveland comes as a surprise, considering Kelce’s background in baseball.
He has participated in several celebrity home run derbies and was a three-sport athlete at Cleveland Heights High School. Kelce took part in baseball, football and basketball, and was even compared to five-time All-Star slugger Josh Hamilton by former Atlanta Braves scout Reggie Sanders.
Kelce was given the honour of throwing the ceremonial first pitch for his hometown's home opener, but after his muffed effort was trolled by Chiefs teammate and star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
He took to Twitter to plead with Kansas-based MLB team, the Royals, to give the tight end the chance to redeem himself. “Ayyyyyy bruhhhhhhhhh,” Mahomes tweeted. “Ayyy @Royals lets give him another chance. ASAP!!!”
Mahomes has a strong background in baseball too. He is the son of former Major League Baseball pitcher Pat Mahomes, and initially played college football and baseball at Texas Tech University.
Mahomes Senior was a relief pitcher for the Texas Tech Red Raiders before being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB draft.
One of Kelce’s next big public appearances could be during NFL Draft weekend when he hosts his own festival, called "Kelce Jam”. Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski's Gronk Beach bash during the NFL Draft in Las Vegas last year inspired Kelce to do the same.
The event will be held April 28 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas and will feature performances by Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, DJ duo Loud Luxury and Kansas City rap legend Tech N9ne.
Ticket prices range from $49.99 (£40) to $224.99 (£180.05). "I took note from what Gronk did last year," Kelce said. "I want to throw a big party knowing that the draft is coming to Kansas City. It's a special event for the city to host. ... I'm going to need Kansas City to come out and be electric with me."
