TIM Duncan is known as one of the most laid-back players in NBA history.
But the NBA legend turns into a “roaring lion” and a “beast” when he enters the MMA ring, according to his trainer.
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Tim Duncan was known as The Big Fundamental for his laid-back attitudeCredit: Getty
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Duncan with his MMA coach Jason EcholsCredit: Instagram/jasonecholsfitness
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The former San Antonio Spurs has quickly taken to mixed martial artsCredit: Youtube/@echolsfitnesscenter3766
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The NBA icon is said to be a ‘beast’ in the ringCredit: Youtube/@echolsfitnesscenter3766 Jason Echols, of Echols Fitness in San Antonio, has been training with the San Antonio Spurs power forward since 2008.
And videos of the pair training quickly went viral.
Echols says the Hall of Famer was “very hungry” to learn martial arts when they first met.
“His absorption of the martial arts was just phenomenal,” Echols told Bleacher Report.
‘You could really see the athleticism that existed in him already.
“It caught onto these movements, and he was able to absorb them better and pick it up better than the average person because of his athleticism.
“His size…it’s incredible to watch him move.”
What caught Echols most by surprise was Duncan’s aggressive attitude in the ring.
“He’s an animal. It’s a different thing than what you see out on the court,” he added.
“The more intense the training gets, the more calm he becomes, which you’ve seen on the court.
“The way he executes the movements, he’s a f–king monster.”
Echols says Duncan is his No. 1 student “by far.”
He even believes The Big Fundamental “would be a legit competitor” in professional MMA.
“I jokingly said to someone else that it could be a cupcake-baking contest and he would win because he’s just good at whatever he does,” he said.
“The sophistication level of him absorbing the martial arts that we have is very, very high.
“It’s not hard for him to catch up with his capabilities.”
Travis Kelce politely asked the public to stay out of his business as he refused to answer whether he is “in love” with Taylor Swift or not.
The 34-year-old has been dating the Grammy-winning musician since the start of September and as each week passes, they become increasingly more public and open with their romance.
Travis Kelce’s gets asked if he’s in love with Taylor Swift… and this was his response
But there is a line, and the NFL player made sure that he drew a firm marker as media asked him just how deep his passion for the ‘Blank Space’ singer runs.
“The latest status is, I got to see her last week,” Kelce said as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. “I’m going to keep my personal relationship personal.”
He isn’t unopposed to questions about themselves to a degree, but he will not publicly discuss the details of their relationship with each other – something that Swift is yet to publicly address despite the numerous snaps of the pair from the paparazzi and fans.
Kelce had already said this, on his New Heights podcast as he asserted he wants to protect the privacy of the pair.
The first sighting of their romance came at the Arrowhead Stadium where Swift shared a booth with Kelce’s mother, as she watched the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Chicago Bears.
Who do the Chiefs play next?
The AFC West leaders suffered a surprising upset in Week 8 as they were defeated 24-9 by the Denver Broncos at the Empower Field at Mile High in Colorado.
Kelce made six receptions for 58 yards but didn’t manage to find a touchdown as they slumped to their second loss of the season and first since opening night.
They’ll look to bounce back against the AFC East leaders in Week 9 as they battle the Miami Dolphins in Europe, with a game hosted in Germany.
The game will take place on Sunday, November 5.
Travis Kelce chucᴋled ᴀnd remaʀked, “As loɴg as Taylor Swift is by my ꜱide, there’s nothinɢ ᴛo wᴏrry about. Haters can just keeᴘ on hating.”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s whirlwind romance took the internet by storm last year. Since their first public outing together, the duo has been one of the most talked-about couples. In a recent interview, Kelce opened up on how he and Swift manage excessive media coverage. The Kansas City Chiefs star revealed ahead of the AFC championship against the Baltimore Ravens that the only thing “that matters” is his and Swift’s “happiness.”
Kelce, who is preparing for the Chiefs vs. Ravens game on Sunday, began by saying, “The biggest thing is making sure my focus is right here in this building.” He continued, “You hear the media throughout the year, if we’re not having success, maybe throw it out there that I wasn’t focused or the team isn’t focused on certain things.” “If you’re in this building, you k now exactly what’s going on,” Kelce added.
The 34-year-old NFL star explained, “So you’ve got to compartmentalize what you’re hearing and make sure that you’re staying on task and giving everybody in the building and on that team the right perception when you walk in,” per Page Six. “The only thing we’ve talked about is as long as we’re happy, we can’t listen to anything that’s outside noise. That’s all that matters,” he added.
Kelce and the Cruel Summer hitmaker’s relationship has urged many to question the duo’s dedication to their respective careers. During the Time Magazine interview last year, Swift explained how she doesn’t care about what people have to say about her relationship with Kelce. “When you say a relationship is public, that means I’m going to see him do what he loves, we’re showing up for each other, other people are there, and we don’t care,” she said.
Travis Kelce has sent social media into meltdown after admitting he’s listened to Taylor Swift’s upcoming album.
Speaking to the press during the Super Bowl 58 opening night, the Kansas City Chiefs star confessed he’d “heard some of” The Tortured Poets Department, which his pop star girlfriend announced at the Grammy awards on Sunday.
“I have heard some of it, yes,” he told a curious reporter. “It is unbelievable, I can’t wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops.”
Travis Kelce on February 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and (inset) the album cover for Taylor Swift’s upcoming 11th album. She announced it at the Grammys.CHRIS UNGER/GETTY IMAGES SPORT/@TAYLORSWIFT/INSTAGRAM However, the 34-year-old refused to give further details, telling journalists “I’ll leave that up to her.”
Swifties were rocked by the news, with Mayra writing: “HE HAS LISTENED TO THE ALBUM.”
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“If you told me a year ago that Travis Kelce heard a new Taylor Swift album before me I would’ve laughed in your face,” said Kaylee.
“I’m so jealous,” wrote @ryn516.
“Trav hearing the album before us, rude,” said Meagan.
“What do you know Travis give it up,” demanded Lindsey Vaughn.
Others swooned over the couple, with @greenhome86 commenting: “He’s so good at being Taylor’s boyfriend.”
“Look at that smile on his face when he talks about Taylor and her new albums,” said NancyJL.
“Man was glowing,” agreed Kenix23.
“I knew he had heard the album she trusts him with her secrets,” said Jamieson.
“You can’t get better than this being a swiftie is so thrilling,” wrote m, while Sky said: “i love being a die hard swiftie turned die hard chiefs kingdom member.”
Newsweek has reached out to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift for comment via email.
Swift revealed her upcoming 11th studio album while collecting the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.
“I know that the way the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion from the fans,” Swift told the audience at the Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles. “So I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I have been keeping from you for the last two years, which is that my brand new album comes out April 19.
“It’s called The Tortured Poets Department, I’m going to go and post the cover right now backstage. Thank you, I love you.”
Swift also landed the Album of the Year accolade. This is the fourth time the 34-year-old has won the award, more than any other artist, bringing her total number of Grammy wins to 14.
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