The striking resemblance between Sacramento Kings ace Jonas Valančiūnas and NFL Star Travis Kelce has sparked a widespread online debate, surprising fans and critics alike
The Sports World is not new to look-alike debates. However the latest internet sensation has fans in a frenzy over the uncanny resemblance between NBA star Jonas Valančiūnas and NFL icon Travis Kelce. While there have been past reports of the resemblance between the two, the latest observation by a fan has put social media abuzz with side-by-side comparisons, viral memes and hilarious debates.
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian Basketball Player who got drafted in the NBA in 2012 and is popular for his rebounding skills and presence on both ends of the court. Standing at seven feet, the Lithuanian player currently plays as a center for the Sacramento Kings. Kelce, on the other hand, is a NFL Superstar who is known for taking the Kansas City Chiefs to three straight wins and a high-profile relationship with the pop singing sensation, Taylor Swift.
What started the resemblance debate was the similar facial features of the two athletes.
Noting the similar facial structure, fans began to notice the rugged beards and sharp jawlines of the two and concluded that the resemblance was too good to be true.
One viral tweet comparing the two stars read, “Are we sure Valančiūnas and Kelce aren’t related? Because I can’t unsee this!” Garnering thousands of likes and shares, the post quickly set the Internet on fire.
The Internet, Memes and Fan Theories
Unsurprisingly, once the resemblance was noticed, memes and posts came pouring in.
Fans quickly took to social media, sharing side-by-side photos and playful theories that the two could be long-lost brothers.
One particularly hilarious meme showed Valančiūnas wearing a Kansas City Chiefs jersey, Photoshopped onto Kelce’s body. Below it, the caption read, “Kelce by day, Valančiūnas by night.” Another meme showed both athletes mid-action in their respective sports, with the caption,“Same guy, different leagues.” Even Bleacher Report hopped in on the fun by posting individual images of the two stars in a frame with the caption, “Still can’t believe Travis Kelce and Jonas Valanciunas aren’t twins😂”
Courtesy: The officoal X Handle of Bleacher’s Report
Various Sports analysts have also joined in the fun, with many jokingly suggesting that Kelce might try his hand at Basketball during the off-season of NFL, or that Valančiūnas could step in as a tight-end if the Chiefs needed an extra receiver.
How have Kelce and Valančiūnas reacted?
As already mentioned, the resemblance debate is nothing new, and both stars have acknowledged the same in the past.
Kelce addressed it with Jason in their New Heights Podcast back in 2023.
When asked about the resemblance, Kelce said, “This guy… I’ve been trying to get a picture with this guy. When I saw Jonas Valanciunas get drafted to the Raptors back in like 2008 [sic], I immediately realized we’re Lithuanian. Because I felt like they just slapped my picture on the screen and said, ‘This guy got drafted’. Man, it’s crazy.”
Valančiūnas, too, is fully aware and joined in the fun last year by posting a hilarious video in which he could be seen pretending to celebrate the Super Bowl which was won by the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers.
Courtesy:X
Being at the center of spotlight and social media attention is nothing new to either of the two. However, this present doppelgänger buzz has caught the both of them off-guard. At a recent interview, when asked about the comparisons, Valančiūnas laughed and said, “I’ve seen the posts, and yeah, I guess I do see some similarities! But I think Kelce has a bit more swag than me.”
Meanwhile, Kelce took to his podcast saying, “Man, I woke up to like a hundred messages about this. Valančiūnas is a beast, though. I take it as a compliment!”
Despite the frenzy and buzz, the fact remains that the resemblance between the two cannot be denied. However, it is their warm reactions and genuine appreciation of each other that is winning people’s hearts. Both the NBA Center star and the NFL icon have much to contribute to their respective games, and all of us just can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
