The intersection of sports royalty and pop culture reached a fever pitch this week on the New Heights podcast, as the Kelce brothers welcomed a guest who arguably rivals their own stardom: WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark. In an episode that seamlessly blended elite athletic insight with the chaotic family energy fans have come to adore, the trio discussed everything from signature Nike sneakers to the brutal realities of aging bodies. Yet, despite the star power of the guest, the true highlights of the show came from the smallest member of the Kelce clan and a tantalizingly secret admission from Travis regarding his life with Taylor Swift.
Caitlin Clark vs. Jason Kelce: The Dunking Debacle
The episode kicked off with high energy as Jason and Travis welcomed Clark, fresh off her appearances in a Nike Christmas campaign. The conversation quickly turned to the “CC1,” Clark’s highly anticipated signature shoe. Clark offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the design process, revealing that she has been working on the sneaker for over a year and a half. She emphasized the importance of “chase-ability” in sneaker culture, expressing her excitement about creating unique colorways that tell a story.
However, the camaraderie took a hilarious turn when the topic shifted to Jason Kelce’s athletic “mission.” The retired center, known for his grit on the gridiron, revealed he is on a 30-day quest to dunk a basketball—a feat he hasn’t accomplished in decades. In a segment humorously titled “Jackass,” Jason shared footage of his current vertical leap (or lack thereof).
Clark, ever the professional, tried to be supportive but couldn’t hide her amusement as Jason flailed near the rim. “You’re a power jumper,” she noted diplomatically, analyzing his two-foot takeoff versus a one-foot drive. When Jason complained about his ankles hurting, Clark delivered a reality check wrapped in coaching wisdom: “I think you need to start with like a tennis ball, then go to a volleyball, then go to a basketball.”
It was a humbling moment for the future Hall of Famer, but it provided one of the episode’s most genuine laughs. The dynamic between the established NFL veterans and the rising basketball icon was electric, bridging the gap between sports with mutual respect and plenty of ribbing.
The Rise of Wyatt Kelce
While Caitlin Clark was the headline guest, the scene-stealer was undoubtedly Jason’s eldest daughter, Wyatt. In a heartwarming twist, it was revealed that Clark had gifted the Kelce family a “Pop-A-Shot” arcade basketball game. The podcast then cut to a home video of Wyatt christening the new equipment, and the footage was nothing short of impressive.
“She’s got the talent!” Travis screamed, his voice cracking with uncle-pride as he watched his niece launch the ball.
Wyatt, bypassing the traditional shooting form, opted for a fierce, full-body “baseball chuck” that sent the ball hurling toward the hoop. Jason, analyzing the tape like game film, pointed out her “rocket of an arm,” joking that she might already have a better throwing shoulder than him. “That is the ‘Daddy one-hand’ form,” Jason laughed, noting how she mimicked his own unorthodox style.
The moment was pure Kelce magic: a blend of elite athletic appreciation and chaotic parenting. Travis’s hype-man energy for his niece—screaming “Look at those muscles!”—reminded viewers that beneath the Super Bowl rings and paparazzi flashes, they are just a family having fun in the playroom. With Caitlin Clark’s stamp of approval on the equipment, fans are already joking that Wyatt is the first recruit for the 2040 WNBA draft.
The “In-House” Secret: Travis and Taylor
The mood shifted from boisterous to intimate when the conversation turned to Christmas gifts. Travis Kelce, who has spent the last year under the brightest spotlight imaginable due to his relationship with Taylor Swift, dropped a comment that immediately set the internet ablaze.
When asked about his favorite gift of the year, Travis didn’t hesitate. “The best gift I got was from Taylor,” he said, a soft smile playing on his lips. But when pressed for details, the typically open-book tight end shut down the inquiry.
“It gives away things that we’re trying to keep in-house, so I’m not going to say it,” Travis stated firmly.
The phrase “keep in-house” struck a chord. In the past, the couple has been relatively open about their affection—from public dates to on-field kisses. This sudden pivot to secrecy suggests a shift in their relationship dynamic. Is the gift related to their upcoming wedding? A future home? Or perhaps something sentimental that symbolizes a milestone only they know about? By refusing to share the details, Travis inadvertently made the gift the most talked-about mystery of the holiday season.
He did, however, throw a bone to the listeners by recounting a gift he gave Taylor: a bread slicer. He referenced her recent obsession with baking sourdough, painting a picture of domestic bliss that contrasts sharply with their global superstardom. “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” their engagement announcement had joked, and the image of Taylor Swift slicing homemade bread in Kansas City fits that narrative perfectly.
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The Ultimate Punishment
No New Heights episode is complete without a high-stakes wager, and the brothers finally addressed the punishment for the loser of their fantasy football league. The stakes this year are diabolical.
The loser faces a choice: perform a stand-up comedy set while attempting the “IHOP Challenge” (eating a stack of pancakes equal to the number of minutes on stage), or endure a 17-hour bus ride in solitary confinement—no phone, no entertainment, just the open road and their own thoughts.
“I think the person that lost is going to have to do the bus ride,” Jason predicted, noting the sheer embarrassment factor of the comedy option. To make matters worse (or better for the fans), the bus ride must be livestreamed on Instagram to ensure no cheating occurs. It is a punishment fitting for a group of hyper-competitive athletes, and fans are already marking their calendars for what promises to be the most boring, yet strangely captivating, livestream of the year.
A Look Ahead
As the episode wrapped, the overarching theme was one of transition and family. Jason is navigating retirement by trying to dunk and analyzing his daughter’s jump shot. Travis is balancing his NFL career with a high-profile engagement, learning to draw boundaries around his private life while still sharing his joy. And Caitlin Clark represents the new guard, a superstar comfortable enough to hang with the boys and gift them arcade games.
The “Nike” episode of New Heights wasn’t just a commercial for a shoe; it was a snapshot of American sports culture in 2026. It highlighted the seamless crossover between the NBA, NFL, and WNBA, the universal language of family, and the enduring intrigue of the Kelce-Swift romance. Whether it’s Wyatt’s jump shot or Travis’s secret gift, the Kelces continue to prove that their lives are the most entertaining reality show on earth—no script required.
