Travis Kelce takes Jason Kelce back to his childhood home for his birthday — and the $1,000 bedroom they shared is now… a library of books their dad used to read…
The brothers used to live in a two-bedroom house in Cleveland Heights. For Jason’s birthday, Travis quietly bought the old house. But what made Jason cry was that the old bedroom was now a library, filled with more than 500 books that their dad tried to read to them every night, despite being exhausted from working three jobs…📚🏡👨👦
Travis Kelce Takes Jason Kelce Back to His Childhood Home for His Birthday — and the $1,000 Bedroom They Shared Is Now a Library of Books Their Dad Used to Read
In the heart of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where the Kelce brothers, Travis and Jason, grew up, a modest two-bedroom house holds memories of their childhood grit, dreams, and the unwavering love of their parents. In June 2025, as Jason Kelce, the retired Philadelphia Eagles center, approached his 38th birthday, his younger brother Travis, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar, planned a surprise that would bring them back to their roots. Travis secretly purchased their childhood home, a place they hadn’t seen in decades, and transformed their shared bedroom—once a cramped $1,000 space—into a library filled with over 500 books their father, Ed Kelce, used to read to them despite his exhaustion from working three jobs. The gesture left Jason in tears, a testament to the brothers’ bond and their father’s enduring influence.
A Humble Beginning in Cleveland Heights
Growing up in the 1990s, Travis and Jason shared a small bedroom in a two-bedroom house in Cleveland Heights. The home, valued at roughly $1,000 per month in rent back then, was a modest sanctuary for the Kelce family. Ed Kelce, a steel industry worker who juggled multiple jobs, and their mother, Donna, a bank employee, poured their hearts into raising their boys. The bedroom, barely big enough for two beds, was where the brothers dreamed of football glory, argued over toys, and listened to their father’s nightly bedtime stories. Ed, often bone-tired from long hours, would crack open books like The Hobbit, Charlotte’s Web, and Where the Red Fern Grows, reading with a passion that sparked the boys’ imaginations.
Those stories weren’t just tales; they were moments of connection. Ed’s voice, steady despite his fatigue, brought characters to life, teaching Travis and Jason about courage, loyalty, and perseverance. The brothers, now NFL legends, often credit their father’s work ethic and their mother’s support for their success. On their New Heights podcast, they’ve shared how those bedtime stories shaped their love for storytelling and teamwork, qualities that shone through in their careers and their brotherly banter.
Travis’s Secret Plan
For Jason’s 38th birthday, Travis wanted to do something extraordinary. Inspired by his work with Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab, where he mentors kids in Kansas City, Travis decided to reconnect Jason with their past. He tracked down their childhood home, which had changed hands several times since the Kelces moved out in the early 2000s. The house, a simple two-story with a sloped front yard, was still standing, though it needed repairs. Travis quietly purchased it in early 2025, working with a local contractor to restore its charm while keeping its nostalgic feel—creaky floors, faded wallpaper, and all.
The centerpiece of Travis’s plan was the brothers’ old bedroom. He remembered how Ed’s bedtime stories had been a ritual, even when their father was stretched thin. Travis decided to transform the room into a library, a tribute to Ed’s love for books and the lessons he instilled. With help from local librarians and book collectors, Travis gathered over 500 titles—many the exact editions Ed had read, including tattered copies of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Bridge to Terabithia. He added new books, too, ones that resonated with the brothers’ values, like biographies of athletes and stories of resilience. The room was fitted with oak shelves, a cozy reading nook, and a plaque that read, “Ed’s Library: Where Dreams Were Born.”
The Birthday Surprise
On June 5, 2025, Travis lured Jason to Cleveland Heights under the guise of a New Heights podcast event. Jason, unaware of the surprise, was already emotional about spending his birthday with family. When Travis led him to their old street, Jason’s curiosity turned to shock as they pulled up to the familiar house. “No way, Trav,” he said, his voice catching as they stepped inside. The smell of old wood and fresh paint hit them, transporting them back to their childhood. Travis guided Jason upstairs to their old bedroom, now unrecognizable yet deeply familiar.
When Jason opened the door, he froze. The shelves brimmed with books, their spines worn but loved, each one a memory of Ed’s voice. A framed photo of Ed reading to the boys, taken by Donna in 1995, sat on a small table. Jason ran his fingers across the books, pulling out Old Yeller—a story that had made him sob as a kid. Tucked inside was a handwritten note from Travis: “Dad gave us stories that built us. This is for him, and for you. Happy birthday, big brother.” Jason, the tough-as-nails center who rarely shows vulnerability, broke down in tears. “You got me, man,” he said, hugging Travis tightly.
The brothers sat in the reading nook, flipping through books and sharing memories of Ed’s late-night readings. They laughed about how Travis would beg for “one more chapter” while Jason pretended to be too cool for stories. They recalled Ed’s determination to give them a better life, working grueling shifts to keep the family afloat. The library wasn’t just a room; it was a monument to their father’s sacrifices and the foundation of their success.
A Legacy of Love and Learning
The surprise resonated beyond the brothers. Donna, who joined them later that day, was moved to tears seeing the library. Ed, now retired and in his late sixties, stood quietly in the room, overwhelmed by the tribute. “I just wanted you boys to dream big,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. The family decided to donate the house to the Cleveland Heights community, turning it into a literacy center for local kids. Ed’s Library would provide free books and reading programs, ensuring Ed’s love for stories would inspire the next generation.
The story spread like wildfire on X, with fans celebrating the Kelces’ heartfelt gesture. One user posted, “Travis and Jason turning their old bedroom into a library for their dad is the kind of legacy we need.” Another wrote, “Ed Kelce’s stories made NFL stars, and now they’re giving back. This is beautiful.” While these reactions reflect unverified sentiments, they highlight the public’s admiration for the brothers’ authenticity.
On a special New Heights episode, Travis and Jason shared the experience, choking up as they talked about their dad’s impact. “Those books weren’t just stories,” Jason said. “They were Dad showing us the world.” Travis added, “This library is our way of saying thanks—to Dad, to Mom, to Cleveland.” The episode trended globally, inspiring listeners to share their own stories of family and sacrifice.
A Homecoming That Inspires
The Kelce brothers’ return to their childhood home was more than a birthday gift; it was a celebration of family, resilience, and the power of small acts. Ed’s Library stands as a testament to a father who worked three jobs yet found time to read to his sons, and to two brothers who never forgot where they came from. As the sun set over Cleveland Heights, Travis and Jason sat on the front porch, cracking open a couple of beers and reminiscing about the dreams born in that $1,000 bedroom. For Jason, it was a birthday he’d never forget—a reminder that the greatest gifts are those that honor the past while building a brighter future.
