Travis Kelce’s tears during brother Jason’s emotional retirement speech took ‘courage’ with the tight end ‘chipping away’ at toxic masculinity, mental health expert Dr. Robert Cuyler tells DailyMail.com

Travis Kelce‘s display of overwhelming emotion during his brother Jason’s retirement speech was an unusual sight from an NFL player. But a leading expert insists it took more courage for the Kansas City Chiefs star to let his emotions show than keeping them locked up.

Jason, 36, announced his retirement on Monday after 13 years in the NFL as a Philadelphia Eagles player, and Travis was shedding just as many – if not more – tears in the front row throughout his older brother’s emotional farewell speech.

The tight end broke down into tears once again as the pair discussed Jason’s decision to bow out from the NFL in more detail, as Travis admitted to wanting his older sibling to play on next season.

Travis’s outpour of emotion has been applauded by many, including Dr. Robert Cuyler, one of the country’s leading clinical psychologists.

Dr. Cuyler, the Chief Clinical Officer of Freespira who has experience with professional athletes, heralded Travis as a role model, particularly for eroding elements of toxic masculinity.

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Travis Kelce showed a display of overwhelming emotion during his brother Jason’s retirement

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An emotional Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 years on Monday

Dr. Robert Cuyler, the Chief Clinical Officer of Freespira, heralded Travis as a role model

‘In terms of role modeling, Travis’s display chips away at the notion that to be strong means to have control over our emotions and not express them,’ he tells DailyMail.com.

‘It actually takes a lot more courage to let one’s feelings show genuinely. Particularly for men to be able to show emotion.

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‘Figures like Travis Kelce, it’s easy for us mere mortals to think about them up on a pedestal, so to be able to see them be comfortable with their vulnerability, I think is role modeling that sends a message that we have a bit more permission to express our emotions.

‘The coverage of Travis’s emotion has been almost universally supported and appreciated, There’s probably been a bit of relief that us men can let our hearts show.’

But Travis’s impact doesn’t end with his fans. Dr. Cuyler believes the three-time Super Bowl winner’s actions have made great strides to pave the way for his peers to be more open.

It’s not just about showing their emotions either as Dr. Cuyler insists that more support systems are being implemented within the league to allow players, coaches and their families to seek help with mental health struggles.

‘It can promote more openness to seeking help’ he adds. ‘The NFL has a formal outreach program.

‘It makes a real difference to see others leading the way, especially if there’s an accepted pathway in the sport to access. It gets it out in the open and the mystery, stigma and shame gets dispelled.’

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Travis became overwhelmed with emotion once again during their New Heights podcast

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The Kansas City Chiefs tight end admits his brother’s retirement has left him feeling ’empty’

Monday’s press conference wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Travis’s emotions seep out this year alone.

During the second quarter of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory last month, Travis stormed up to head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines, shoved him and screamed in his face.

But, unlike the acceptance of his emotional openness, the mid-game meltdown sparked backlash – despite both Travis and Reid brushing off the incident as a mere outburst of passion.

Yet, Dr. Cuyler claims the more furious reactions from players are more widely accepted.

‘What we see often is that anger and frustration are readily accepted,’ he explains. ‘Slam your helmet down, and that’s just the elation of scoring a touchdown!

‘But there’s a narrow range of emotions that are deemed acceptable, excluding those more tender emotions of sadness and regret. I think we have the opportunity to say we all have complicated and emotional lives.’

Meanwhile, Jason could be facing a greater emotional rollercoaster as he enters into live post-NFL, warns Dr. Cuyler.

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Travis showed a different type of emotion at the Super Bowl when he screamed at Andy Reid

The chronic pain and CTE retired NFL athletes face exposes them to a greater risk of substance use, depression, impulsivity and a shorter lifespan, he explains, advising players to begin implementing their retirement safety net long before they contemplate hanging up their cleats.

‘I think the best hope we have now is that people with substantial careers are getting evaluated and getting advice,’ he says. ‘To go from a life that is meaningful and purposeful when you’re no longer at the epitome of these professional sports is difficult.

‘People who don’t know what to do with themselves because they’ve been in the spotlight since age 10 until retirement. It’s important earlier rather than later to ask, what’s my next act?

‘It’s worth thinking about before you hang up the cleats and start building a plan while you’ve got a runway in front of you and got time to plan the next move and seek wise counsel, whether it’s legal, financial or spiritual.’

But Dr. Cuyler has faith Jason will find it easier to bring the curtain down on his incredible 13-year career thanks to the loved ones he has surrounding him.

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Travis was joined by his teary-eyed mom Donna Kelce and dad Ed Kelce in the front row

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Jason saved his most heartfelt words for last as he spoke about his wife Kylie

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They share three children, another reason Jason paid tribute to her through his tears

‘I hope he’s going to be an example of someone who can make the transition successful,’ he says of Jason. ‘For Kelce, this is clearly something he contemplated over a period of time.

‘Looking at Kelce’s exit, you can see the importance of his family and kids, What came across to me is what an important sense of purpose and connection that is for someone like him to be able to make his next chapter revolve around things other than being on the field.’

In addition to his younger brother, Jason also had a teary-eyed mom Donna, dad Ed and wife Kylie in the front row as he bid farewell to the NFL.

The Eagles legend hailed coaches, friends, teammates and family, but saved his most heartfelt words for last as he spoke about his wife, who he shares three daughters with.