Travis Kelce

College career

Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Travis Kelce chose to play for the University of Cincinnati over offers from Akron, Eastern Michigan, and Miami (OH), joining his older brother, Jason, who was the Bearcats’ starting left guard.

After redshirting in 2008, Kelce saw action in 11 games during the 2009 season, playing both tight end and quarterback in the Wildcat formation. He recorded eight rushes for 47 yards and two touchdowns, along with one reception for three yards. However, he was suspended for the entire 2010 season due to a violation of team rules after testing positive for marijuana.

Returning in 2011, he resumed his role at tight end, finishing the season with 13 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. His breakout year came in 2012 when he set career highs with 45 receptions, 722 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns, earning first-team all-conference honors. In March 2013, he was named the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year.

Kelce later completed his degree, graduating in 2022 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. He officially received his diploma during a special New Heights podcast event at the Fifth Third Arena in April 2024, alongside his brother Jason.

College statistics

Professional career

Travis Kelce was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. At the time, the Chiefs had just hired head coach Andy Reid, who was already familiar with Kelce through his brother, Jason, whom Reid had drafted in 2011 with the Eagles. Although Reid saw Kelce as a first-round talent, concerns over his college suspension made teams hesitant. Jason personally vouched for his younger brother, assuring Reid he would stay out of trouble. On June 6, 2013, Kelce signed a four-year, $3.12 million rookie contract, which included a $703,304 signing bonus.

Kelce’s rookie season was cut short due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason. Initially diagnosed as a bone bruise, the injury worsened, leading to microfracture surgery. He was placed on injured reserve on October 12, 2013, after playing just one snap on special teams in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Returning in 2014, Kelce made an impact early in the season, scoring his first NFL touchdown in Week 3 on a 20-yard pass from Alex Smith against the Miami Dolphins. Later in the season, he was fined $11,025 for an inappropriate gesture toward Broncos linebacker Von Miller, which head coach Andy Reid called “immature.” Despite this, Kelce had a strong year, recording his first 100-yard game against the Cardinals and leading the Chiefs in receiving with 862 yards on 67 receptions.

Kelce continued his ascent in 2015, starting the season with his first multi-touchdown game, posting six catches for 106 yards and two scores in a win over the Texans. Though it was his only 100-yard performance that year, he remained a consistent target, recording at least one reception in every game. He finished the season with 72 catches for 875 yards and five touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The Chiefs ended the regular season with an 11–5 record and advanced to the playoffs, where Kelce shined in the Wild Card Round, catching eight passes for 128 yards in a 30–0 win over the Texans. However, in the Divisional Round, he was limited to six catches for 23 yards as the Chiefs fell to the Patriots. Following the season, he was ranked 91st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016 list.

In January 2016, Travis Kelce signed a five-year, $46 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. That season, he emerged as one of the league’s top tight ends, setting career highs with 85 receptions and 1,125 receiving yards—leading all NFL tight ends. He recorded four consecutive 100-yard games, a feat achieved only by two other tight ends in history, and capped off the season with an 11-catch, 160-yard performance against the Broncos. His impressive play earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. The Chiefs finished 12–4 but lost in the Divisional Round to the Steelers.

Kelce continued his dominance in 2017, surpassing 1,000 yards for the second straight season and setting a career-high with eight touchdown receptions. He had multiple standout performances, including 133 yards against the Broncos and two early touchdowns against the Jets. He earned another Pro Bowl selection and was ranked 24th on the NFL Top 100 Players list. The Chiefs finished 10–6 but were eliminated in the Wild Card Round by the Titans, with Kelce exiting early due to a concussion.

The arrival of Patrick Mahomes in 2018 elevated Kelce’s game further. He set a then-record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season (1,336), though George Kittle later surpassed it. He posted 103 receptions, 10 touchdowns, and five 100-yard games, including a career-best 168 yards against the Raiders. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors again, helping the Chiefs secure a first-round bye. In the playoffs, he had 108 yards against the Colts in the Divisional Round but was held to 23 yards in the AFC Championship loss to the Patriots. Kelce was ranked 21st on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

Kelce continued his dominance in the 2019 season, recording 97 receptions for 1,229 yards and five touchdowns, making him the first tight end in NFL history with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ playoff run, recording 134 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback win against the Texans and helping Kansas City secure its first Super Bowl in 50 years with a win over the 49ers.

In 2020, Kelce signed a four-year, $57 million extension and had a record-breaking season. He became the first tight end with multiple 100-catch seasons and set the single-season tight end yardage record (1,416). He was instrumental in the Chiefs’ playoff success, recording 109 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and 118 yards and two touchdowns in the AFC Championship. He set a Super Bowl record for receiving yards by a tight end (133) in a loss to the Buccaneers.

In 2021, Kelce continued to break records, surpassing 8,000 career yards faster than any tight end in history. He set a career-high with 191 yards in a game-winning performance against the Chargers and extended his record with a sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season. In the playoffs, he threw a touchdown pass in the Wild Card Round and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Bills, making key adjustments that led to the “13-second drive” victory. He finished the season with 1,125 yards and was named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl.

In 2022, Kelce remained a dominant force, recording 95 yards and a touchdown in the AFC Championship, though the Chiefs fell short against the Bengals. He was ranked tenth on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

Kelce’s 2022 season was another record-breaking campaign, as he posted 110 receptions for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns. He became the fifth tight end in history to surpass 10,000 career receiving yards and extended his record with a seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season. In the playoffs, he set a postseason record for a tight end with 14 catches in the Divisional Round and helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles, marking the first time two brothers played against each other in the Super Bowl. He finished fifth on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

In 2023, Kelce missed the season opener due to injury but returned to help the Chiefs reach their fourth Super Bowl in five seasons. He recorded 93 receptions for 984 yards, narrowly missing another 1,000-yard season after opting out of the final regular-season game. In the playoffs, he and Mahomes set the record for most postseason touchdowns by a quarterback-receiver duo. Kelce led all receivers in Super Bowl LVIII with 93 yards as the Chiefs won their third title in five years, becoming the first back-to-back champions since the 2003-04 Patriots. Despite a sideline outburst at Andy Reid, Kelce later apologized. He was ranked ninth on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.

In April 2024, Kelce signed a two-year, $34.25 million extension, making him the highest-paid tight end. He reached multiple milestones, including 12,000 career receiving yards and 1,000 receptions, surpassing Tony Gonzalez as the Chiefs’ all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns. He finished the season with 97 catches for 823 yards and three touchdowns. In the playoffs, he recorded a 117-yard performance in the Divisional Round but was limited in the AFC Championship. The Chiefs fell in Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles, denying them a third straight title.