For Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, French toast is more than just a delicious breakfast, it’s his go-to pre-game meal.

As Kelce prepares for the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, the 34-year-old NFL star continues to stand by his favorite carb-heavy dish, which he credits for fueling him on the field.

Kelce has expressed his love for French toast in multiple interviews, revealing that it has been his pre-game staple since 2019.

“Every pregame meal has been French toast and strawberries since I’ve been on the Chiefs,” Kelce shared with Inside Hook.

Drafted by the Chiefs in 2013, Kelce emphasized that the energy from this carb-packed meal helps him perform at his best during games.

Carb-loading helps optimize performance

In an interview with Men’s Journal in 2020, Kelce explained the importance of carb-loading on game day.

“On game day, you want to carb up, so I have the energy I need for the game,” Kelce explained.

“I’m big on French toast. Always eat that at the team’s pregame meal.”

To maintain his high-performance diet, Kelce hired his childhood friend Kumar Ferguson as his private chef in 2016. Ferguson regularly prepares different French toast variations for Kelce, including creative recipes like “Crunchy Flaky French Toast,” “Croissant Crème Brulé French Toast,” and “Blueberry Drizzled Brown Sugar Crunch French Toast Stix.”

Ferguson often shares these delicious creations online, showcasing the variety that keeps Kelce fueled and ready for game day.

Taylor Swift adds homemade breakfast treats to Kelce’s routine

In addition to Ferguson’s culinary expertise, Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, has also contributed to his pre-game meals.

In December 2023, retired NFL star Bernie Kosar shared a story about meeting Swift at Kelce’s home, where she made homemade cinnamon rolls for the football star before his first Chiefs game of the season.

Swift’s culinary skills aren’t limited to cinnamon rolls. A few months later, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid revealed that the pop star made homemade Pop-Tarts for the team’s offensive linemen. Although Reid didn’t get a chance to try them, Kelce has been impressed with Swift’s breakfast treats.

“Taylor makes a great Pop-Tart and cinnamon roll,” Kelce told reporters during a June press conference.