New Heights: Travis and Jason Kelce return to UC to debut live edition of iconic show

It was nothing but love for the Kelce brothers as they returned to where it all began: The University of Cincinnati.

“You guys have injected us with so much love for the game of football,” Travis Kelce told the Bearcat faithful at last night’s live show in Fifth Third Arena.

It certainly felt that way, with lines stretching all the way to Short Vine Street hours before doors opened to see the No. 1 sports podcast in the nation: New Heights Live.

“Travis and I are both incredibly honored. Anytime we come back there is such a wave of emotion and memories that really hit you.” Jason Kelce said to reporters before the fun all began on Thursday night.

Really, it felt like not only a celebration of the Kelce brothers and their return to the Queen City, but also the city of Cincinnati as a whole.

Not only were former Bearcat legends Desmond Ridder and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner featured as guest speakers, but current Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow and Orlando Brown Jr. were also in attendance to share the stage.

Another feature of Cincinnati is the highly controversial Skyline Chili. In the very first “Lombaby Games,” students and athletes dug through piles of the concoction to find Jason’s real Super Bowl ring.

The Games were a classic battle of nerd vs jock, more specifically “Team Athletics” versus “Team Academics.” After long and arduous battles such as a spelling bee (which was won by Jizzle James of the men’s basketball team) and trivia questions while riding a mechanical bull, Team Academics brought the golden Lombaby home for the “nerds.”

Notable participants for the “jocks” included James, Bearcat defensive tackle Dontay Corleone and women’s basketball player and Cincinnati native Jillian Hayes.

After the games ended, there was an intermission that lasted around a half hour. After it was over, the Kelce brothers came through the tunnel to a standing ovation, smoke and fire.

While the other guests were treated with loud cheering, Joe Burrow’s ovation was perhaps the loudest Fifth Third Arena has ever been.

Much of the podcast portion was spent on famous segments that the “92%ers” know very well. “New News” and “No Dumb Questions” were both touched on.

Most of the night was devoted to the guests and their various “welcome to the NFL” and “welcome to UC” moments.

Ridder said his welcome to UC moment was when the Bearcats went to College Gameday at UCF in 2018. The Bearcats lost that game 38-13. Ridder only completed 11 passes for 127 yards.

This game would not affect his legacy too much, as he went on to be the winningest quarterback in Cincinnati history, leading them to the College Football Playoff in 2021.

Towards the end of the ceremony, however, what may have been the coolest moment of the night happened. President Neville Pinto walked out of the tunnel and officially graduated Travis and Jason from the University of Cincinnati.

While in tears, Travis gave a speech to the student body and fans alike. He ended it off as only he could.