New Heights Ep. 160: "Every Chief's Gotta Eat, NFL Meatheads & Keanu Reeves on Comedy Dangers, Life Advice & More"
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Jason Kelce & Travis Kelce | Guest: Keanu Reeves
Episode Overview
This lively episode features brothers Jason and Travis Kelce breaking down the latest NFL headlines, dishing out locker room laughs, and welcoming movie icon Keanu Reeves. The Kelces recap the Chiefs’ big Sunday Night win, diagnose the Eagles’ woes, riff on “NFL Meatheads,” debate the meaning of sustained excellence, and dive into a wide-ranging, candid, and funny interview with Keanu Reeves about his new movie “Good Fortune,” life, sports, and the philosophy of being “excellent to each other.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Chiefs vs. Lions: Big Win Breakdown
[07:19–15:51]
- Chiefs’ 30-17 win over the Lions led off the football talk. Travis beams about “four quarters of great football, man. All three phases... the energy right now is electric, one of the most fun teams I’ve ever been on.” [08:03]
- Defensive adjustments at halftime were crucial. Jason notes, "The defense... tried to make them [Lions] earn it the entire time. And they had a couple big fourth down stops." [09:10]
- Chiefs’ offense “looks back, baby.” Emphasis on the physical, efficient run game: “It's like it just feeds those big guys up front, it gets them going...” (Travis) [11:08]
- Chiefs spread the ball: “Everybody gotta eat, baby” – the “EDGE” motto in the KC locker room. [13:56]
- Travis on milestone: passes Jason Witten for 2nd-most prime time receiving yards for a tight end, only trailing Jerry Rice overall. [15:21]
- Memorable moment: Travis describes a play: “I get hit by one guy, slide off him, get pinballed... just bracing for the stampede from my linemen coming to clean up.” [17:01]
- Jason’s playful jab: “God damn it, Travis, you’re on the one yard line. Get in the end zone, stop jumping!” [18:36]
2. Chiefs’ Offense and Team Vibes
[12:28–15:51]
- Pat Mahomes is “spreading that ball around... Seven, eight, nine guys in the receptions category every week.” [14:07]
- Coach Reed and OC Matt Nagy praised for keeping the offense multiple and fast.
- Chiefs’ locker room spirit high, especially with receiver Rashee Rice returning from suspension. Travis: “He’s one of my favorite teammates... excited for him to get back.” [29:06]
3. Eagles’ Loss & The Woes of Expectations
[36:34–47:30]
- Jason lamented the Eagles’ 34-17 loss to the Giants: “It’s a frustrating thing to watch... sometimes it’s really clicking, other halves, it just feels like it’s all or nothing.” [37:13]
- On team vibes: “Stout says this a lot: Execution fuels emotion. When it’s not going well, it’s hard to have that.” [39:11]
- Enthusiasm in NFL: Praises Giants’ “youthful energy,” particularly rookie QB Jackson Dart and RB Cam Scadaboo, who bring “true meathead energy” to the team: “the entire team has been energized... every team needs that guy.” [50:12]
- Reflection on expectations: “Sustained excellence in any field is incredibly fucking hard... anybody can have one great season – the challenge is repeating it.” (Jason) [44:42]
4. Around the NFL: Surprises & Struggles
[55:21–66:48]
- Dolphins “might be cooked,” says Travis. Team issues noted (late/missing players-only meetings). “If the players aren’t showing up, is it just the janitor in there?” (Jason) [56:07]
- The Jets’ misery gets a guest spot from “Jets Jake”: “It’s all really bad... the offense can’t do anything. They’re 0-6, but maybe, just maybe, next week versus Carolina.” [59:36]
- Who’s for real? The league feels wide open: “Feels like it’s wide open,” says Travis. [62:54]
- Coach of the year? Jason gives it to Patriots HC Mike Vrabel (“biggest surprise”); Travis (biased) stumps for Andy Reid. [66:04]
- Early MVP: “It’s a clear runaway... Baker Mayfield.” (Jason) [66:53]
5. Pop Culture & Listener Moments
[05:06–07:15], [16:14–16:20]
- Ongoing inside joke: Jason’s “official tree” is now the Japanese maple, and listeners are tagging him in any such sightings.
- Chiefs and Eagles fandoms acknowledged for their deep engagement; “Film Club” on “The Replacements” (with Keanu Reeves) teased for Friday drop.
6. Keanu Reeves Guest Interview
[77:01–108:46]
a. On New Movie "Good Fortune" & Working with Aziz Ansari
- Keanu describes the premise: “an angel comes down trying to do better... swaps a guy who's having a hard time for a venture capitalist. But unlike the usual, it turns out money does make a difference.” [78:25]
- Aziz Ansari was “collaborative... really invited me into the process.”
- On the movie’s message: “It’s not just about hope, but practical things – friendship, connection, laughter, heart.” [80:29]
- Keanu reflects on his earthly persona: “You seem the most, like, down to earth. Like, you are with the people.” (Jason) [80:01]
b. Comedy, Physicality, and Life Philosophy
- On returning to comedy: “John Wick’s got some humor, but it’s not a comedy… Az wanted a little bit of that Bill & Ted energy again.” [82:28, 83:58]
- Keanu on food scenes: “Hamburger, chicken nuggies. And that was fun.” [79:57]
- Would Keanu be a good angel in life? “If I put my mind to it, I think I would.” [81:42]
- What life would he swap into? “Oh my gosh, I’m just trying to make it work in this one.” [85:20] But Keanu dreams of “one of those zone moments, like being Usain Bolt breaking a world record, or scoring in the Olympics.”
- Youth hockey experience: He was a goalie, “good glove hand, fast reflexes, positionally sound,” and detailed the evolution in style from stand-up to butterfly. [89:46]
c. On the Matrix, Reality, and AI
- “Do you think we’ve learned anything from the Matrix?” the hosts ask. Keanu: “It doesn’t seem like we can help ourselves. If we can do it, we do it... Sometimes we don’t know what we’re doing.” [95:13]
- His view on reality: “Matrix gives a lot of weight to reality… I was once asked to explain the plot to a 13-year-old, and they said, ‘Who cares if it’s real?’” [95:54]
d. On Stunts, Acting, Injuries
- “If I’m doing it, it’s not a stunt. If I’m not there, it’s a stunt.” (Keanu, on action roles) [97:20]
- He injured his knee, “vertical break” of the kneecap, while filming his latest movie, ironically doing something mundane, not a wild stunt. “Comedy is hard!” [98:44]
e. Hollywood Origins and Advice
- “Welcome to Hollywood” story: Almost changed his name when he moved to LA – “Chuck Spadina” or “Casey Reeves” – but didn’t stick. [105:02]
- Best life advice: “Just get some rest.” [103:13]
- Favorite Keanu quote: “‘Be excellent to each other’ – that’s a good way to go about life, man.” [93:48]
- On sports fandom: As a kid, Steelers fan. Also admired Joe Montana and the 49ers. [107:11]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Travis on the Chiefs’ offense: “Everybody gotta eat, baby.” [13:56]
- Jason on expectations: “Sustained excellence in the highest level of any profession is incredibly fucking hard.” [44:42]
- Travis on team energy: “You gotta have a psycho, man. You gotta have a 1 or 2 or 3 or 4. You gotta have a few, man.” [53:25]
- Jason on the Eagles’ struggles: “Stout says this a lot: Execution fuels emotion... when it’s not going well, it’s hard to have that.” [39:11]
- Keanu Reeves on “Good Fortune”: “It’s about friendship, it’s about connection, it’s about laughter, it’s about heart.” [80:29]
- Keanu on philosophical lessons: “Matrix gives a lot of weight to reality... and a lot of power to that question: what is real?” [95:54]
- Keanu (on favorite advice): "Just get some rest." [103:13]
- On his brief stint as “Casey Reeves”: “I couldn’t do it. In auditions, they’d go ‘Casey Reeves,’ and I wouldn’t even answer.” [105:53]
- Jason on Keanu: "You seem the most, like, down to earth. Like, you are with the people." [80:01]
- Keanu on himself in sports: "I grew up playing hockey... goalie. Good glove hand, fast reflexes, positionally sound." [89:46]
- On the wildest part of 'Replacements': "No, they were all like, don't hit the guy... For the reason that we all have a job." [111:43]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 02:30 – Chaotic open, intro, and schedule preview
- 05:06 – Listener tree jokes, Japanese maple saga
- 07:19 – Recap: Chiefs vs. Lions
- 13:54 – Chiefs receivers and “Everybody Gotta Eat”
- 16:14 – Travis prime time stats, passing Jason Witten
- 29:06 – Rashee Rice returns; Chiefs’ offense outlook
- 36:34 – Eagles lose to Giants; struggles and team energy
- 39:11 – “Execution fuels emotion” and team mentality
- 50:12 – NFL ‘meathead’ energy and why teams need psychos
- 55:21 – Dolphins woes, Jets chat with “Jets Jake”
- 62:52 – Who’s good?/League parity/Surprises
- 66:04 – Coach of the Year and MVP argument
- 77:01 – Keanu Reeves joins: “Good Fortune,” comedy, and life
- 89:46 – Goalie talk, old school hockey
- 95:13 – The Matrix, AI, and deeper philosophical questions
- 97:20 – Stunts & injuries (and why comedy is dangerous!)
- 105:02 – Hollywood beginnings & “Casey Reeves” story
- 103:13 – Keanu’s life advice: “Get some rest”
- 107:11 – Keanu’s fandom: Steelers, Joe Montana, sports culture
Tone & Atmosphere
- Signature brotherly camaraderie, irreverent and candid banter
- A mix of genuine camaraderie and football expertise (“meathead” humor aplenty)
- Keanu brings humility, insight, and a quietly profound vibe to the celebrity segment
For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In
This episode captures everything New Heights fans love: inside-the-huddle breakdowns, trophy and tree jokes, playful NFL hot takes, and an unfiltered, joyous, and multifaceted conversation with Keanu Reeves. Whether you want to know the mood inside the Chiefs’ locker room, the recipe for team motivation, why football still needs its “psychos,” or what “be excellent to each other” can mean in a world of deepfakes and hustle, Ep. 160 has you covered. Don’t miss Keanu’s passionate hockey stories, offbeat advice, and heartfelt banter with the Kelce brothers.
