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How many NFL players have hosted SNL? Chiefs’ Travis Kelce joins list of star-studded hosts

Travis Kelce is one of the more hilarious personalities in the NFL and now others will get to see it on display on SNL on March 4. Kelce is coming off winning his second Super Bowl in four seasons. The Chiefs All-Pro tight end is not the first NFL star to host SNL, joining a list of legends and Hall of Famers.

Here is a list of players who displayed their talents on SNL.


J.J. Watt

Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers

The former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals star hosted the show back in February 2020 with country star Luke Combs as the musical guest.


Eli Manning

Former New York Giants QB Eli Manning
Former New York Giants QB Eli Manning

Eli Manning hosted the comedy show in February 2012 after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLV. The musical guest was the halftime performer for Super Bowl XLII, Rihanna.


Peyton Manning

Pro Football HOF QB Peyton Manning
Pro Football HOF QB Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning hosted SNL five years prior to his younger brother after the Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI. He hosted the show on his birthday as Eli and his parents were in attendance.


Tom Brady

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady

Brady hosted the show in April 2005 while with the New England Patriots. He won his third Super Bowl that year.

Deion Sanders

Pro Football HOF and Colorado HC Deion Sanders
Pro Football HOF and Colorado HC Deion Sanders

Sanders was playing for the San Francisco 49ers, who won the Super Bowl in January 1995, when he hosted SNL.

Walter Payton and Joe Montana

Pro Football HOFs Walter Payton (l) and Joe Montana (r)
Pro Football HOFs Walter Payton (l) and Joe Montana (r)

Payton and Montana co-hosted the show back in January 1987 with Debbie Harry as the musical guest. The legendary running back had just finished his final season with the Chicago Bears.

Montana had two Lombardi Trophies to his name at the time and won two more in his career.

Alex Karras

Former Detroit Lions star Alex Karras
Former Detroit Lions star Alex Karras

Karras hosted the show in February 1985 with Tina Turner as the musical guest. He played 15 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions.

O.J. Simpson

Former Buffalo Bills RB O.J. Simpson
Former Buffalo Bills RB O.J. Simpson

In February 1978, former NFL running back O.J. Simpson hosted SNL with Ashford & Simpson as musical guests.


Fran Tarkenton

Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl LIII - New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams

Tarkenton became the first athlete to ever host the show in January 1977. The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback hosted SNL just a week and a half after losing Super Bowl XI to the Oakland Raiders.


Travis Kelce on hosting SNL

Travis Kelce made the announcement while he was a guest on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Country music star Kelsea Ballerini will be the musical guest.

Travis Kelce commented that he has been a huge fan of the show for a long time, watching it with his mother.

Travis Kelce said:

"I was a huge like [Chris] Farley, [Will] Ferrell, Fallon kind of guy growing up. And I used to watch 'Saturday Night Live' with my mother. It's an absolute honor and a privilege to be hosting 'SNL' March 4."

We'll see if Travis Kelce can shine on the SNL stage as he has on the NFL field next month.


If you use any of the above quotes, please credit ESPN and H/T Sportskeeda.


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