Travis Kelce facts for kids
.jpg)
Kelce in 2023
|
|||||||||
| No. 87 – Kansas City Chiefs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | October 5, 1989 Westlake, Ohio, U.S. |
||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 250 lb (113 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Cleveland Heights (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) | ||||||||
| College: | Cincinnati (2008–2012) | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2013 / Round: 3 / Pick: 63 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2024 | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Travis Michael Kelce (pronounced KEL-see; born October 5, 1989) is an American professional football player. He plays as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). The Chiefs picked him in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has won three Super Bowls with the team: Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and Super Bowl LVIII. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
Many people think Kelce is one of the best tight ends ever. He has been chosen for the Pro Bowl ten times. He has also been named an All-Pro seven times. He holds NFL records for tight ends, including the most seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards (seven). He also holds the record for the most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season, with 1,416 yards in 2020.
In 2022, Kelce became the fifth tight end in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. He reached this goal faster than any other tight end. He was also named to the National Football League 2010s All-Decade Team. In 2023, he passed Jerry Rice for the most catches in playoff history. This happened on his way to winning Super Bowl LVIII, his fourth Super Bowl appearance in five years.
Outside of football, Kelce has been on TV shows and in commercials. He even hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live. He also co-hosts a popular podcast called New Heights with his brother, Jason Kelce. They talk about football and other fun topics.
Kelce's relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has received a lot of media attention. It has also helped increase viewership and sales for his team and the NFL.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Travis Kelce was born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio. His father, Ed, worked in the steel industry. His mother, Donna, was a bank executive. Travis has an older brother, Jason Kelce, who also played professional football as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kelce went to Cleveland Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He played three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. He was especially good at football. He played quarterback for three years. In his senior year (2007), he gained 2,539 total yards. He ran for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also threw for 1,523 yards and 21 touchdowns.
College Football Career
Kelce received a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. He chose Cincinnati over other schools like Akron and Eastern Michigan. His brother, Jason, was already playing there as a left guard.
Travis did not play in 2008, which is called a redshirt year. In 2009, he played in 11 games as a tight end and sometimes as a quarterback. He ran for 47 yards and two touchdowns and caught one pass for three yards. He did not play in 2010 due to breaking team rules.
After his suspension, Kelce returned to the team in 2011. He caught 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. In his final college season (2012), he had his best year. He caught 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named first-team all-conference. In 2013, he won the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year. Kelce earned his college degree in 2022.
College Football Stats
| Cincinnati Bearcats | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2009 | Cincinnati | 11 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Cincinnati | 11 | 13 | 150 | 11.5 | 2 |
| 2012 | Cincinnati | 13 | 45 | 722 | 16.0 | 8 |
| Career | 35 | 59 | 875 | 14.8 | 10 | |
Professional NFL Career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Wonderlic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+7⁄8 in (1.95 m) |
255 lb (116 kg) |
33+3⁄4 in (0.86 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.61 s | 1.61 s | 2.72 s | 4.42 s | 7.09 s | 35 in (0.89 m) |
10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) |
22 | |
| Measurements from Pro Day and NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
Starting with the Chiefs (2013-2015)
On June 6, 2013, the Chiefs signed Kelce to a four-year contract. He injured his knee during the preseason. He had surgery and only played one snap in his rookie year.
In 2014, Kelce scored his first NFL touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. He was fined for an "unsportsmanlike conduct" gesture against the Denver Broncos. His coach, Andy Reid, called it "immature." Later that season, he had his first game with over 100 receiving yards against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished 2014 as the Chiefs' top receiver with 862 yards.
Kelce started the 2015 season with two touchdowns against the Houston Texans. He played in all 16 regular season games. He caught 72 passes for 875 yards and five touchdowns. This earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. In his first playoff game, he had 128 receiving yards against the Texans. The Chiefs lost to the New England Patriots in the next round.
Becoming a Star (2016-2018)
On January 29, 2016, Kelce signed a new five-year contract. In Week 8, he had 101 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. He was ejected from a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars for arguing with officials. He was fined for throwing his towel. In Week 13, he had 140 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. He then had four straight games with over 100 receiving yards. This made him one of only a few tight ends to do so. On Christmas Day, he had a career-best 11 catches for 160 yards. He finished 2016 with 1,125 yards and 85 catches, leading all tight ends in yards. He was named First-team All-Pro and went to his second Pro Bowl.
In 2017, Kelce continued to shine. He had several games with over 100 yards and touchdowns. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl. He finished the season with a career-high eight receiving touchdowns and 1,038 receiving yards. In the playoffs, he suffered a concussion in the first half against the Tennessee Titans.
In 2018, Kelce's performance grew even more with new quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He had many games with over 100 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns. In Week 13, he had a career-high 12 catches for 168 yards. He broke the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a season. However, George Kittle broke his record later that same day. Kelce finished the season with 103 catches, 1,336 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He was named First-team All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl. The Chiefs made it to the AFC Championship but lost to the New England Patriots in overtime.
Super Bowl Wins (2019-2023)
In 2019, Kelce continued to be a key player. He led all tight ends in receiving yards at the season's midpoint. He became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 500 career catches. He finished the season with 97 catches for 1,229 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He also had one rushing touchdown. He became the first tight end to have four straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. He was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.
In the playoffs, Kelce helped the Chiefs come back from a 24–0 deficit against the Houston Texans. He caught 10 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns in that game. The Chiefs then won the AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans. In Super Bowl LIV, Kelce caught six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs won 31–20 against the San Francisco 49ers, giving Kelce his first Super Bowl ring.
In 2020, Kelce signed a new four-year contract. He had several big games with multiple touchdowns and over 100 receiving yards. In Week 16, he became the first tight end to have two seasons with over 100 catches. He also set a new single-season record for tight ends with 1,416 receiving yards. He was named First-team All-Pro and went to his sixth Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, he had strong performances, including 13 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the AFC Championship against the Bills. The Chiefs reached Super Bowl LV but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kelce set a Super Bowl record for tight ends with 133 receiving yards in that game.
.jpg)
In 2021, Kelce became the longest-serving player on the Chiefs. He became the fastest tight end to reach 8,000 career receiving yards. In Week 15, he had a career-high 191 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers. This game also gave him his sixth straight 1,000-yard season, an NFL record for tight ends. He missed his first game due to illness in Week 16 because of COVID-19. He then became the fastest tight end to reach 9,000 career yards. He finished the season with 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named Second-Team All-Pro and went to his seventh Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, he threw a touchdown pass and caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship.
In 2022, Kelce had an amazing season. In Week 5, he tied a Chiefs record with four receiving touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders. In Week 11, he had his 33rd game with over 100 receiving yards, an NFL record for tight ends. He also scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner. In Week 14, he reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming only the fifth tight end to do so. He also extended his records for consecutive and overall 1,000-yard seasons to seven. He finished the season with 110 catches, 1,338 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
In the playoffs, Kelce set an NFL postseason record for tight ends with 14 catches against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He scored two touchdowns in that game. Kelce and the Chiefs played against his brother Jason's team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in Super Bowl LVII. This was the first Super Bowl where two brothers played on opposing teams. Kelce caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs won 38–35, giving Kelce his second Super Bowl ring.
Kelce missed the first game of the 2023 season due to a knee injury. It was his first injury-related absence since his rookie year. In Week 7, he tied his career high with 12 catches and had 179 receiving yards. In Week 9, he broke the Chiefs' franchise record for career receiving yards. He finished the regular season with 984 receiving yards, ending his streak of seven straight 1,000-yard seasons.
In the playoffs, Kelce scored two touchdowns against the Bills. He and Patrick Mahomes broke the record for most career playoff touchdowns by a quarterback/receiver duo. In the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens, Kelce caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He passed Jerry Rice for the most playoff receptions ever. The Chiefs won, sending Kelce to his fourth Super Bowl in five seasons.
In Super Bowl LVIII, Kelce had nine catches for 93 yards. The Chiefs won 25–22 in overtime, earning Kelce his third Super Bowl win. They became the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004. During the game, Kelce was seen yelling at his coach, Andy Reid, after a teammate fumbled. Kelce later apologized for this on his podcast.
Recent Season (2024)
On April 29, 2024, Kelce signed a two-year contract extension with the Chiefs. This deal made him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
NFL Career Statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won the Super Bowl | |
| NFL record | |
| Bold | Career best |
Regular Season Stats
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Y/R | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2013 | KC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | KC | 16 | 11 | 67 | 862 | 12.9 | 34 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 2015 | KC | 16 | 16 | 72 | 875 | 12.2 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2016 | KC | 16 | 15 | 85 | 1,125 | 13.2 | 80T | 4 | 1 | −5 | −5.0 | −5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | KC | 15 | 15 | 83 | 1,038 | 12.5 | 44 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 16 | 16 | 103 | 1,336 | 13.0 | 43 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019 | KC | 16 | 16 | 97 | 1,229 | 12.7 | 47 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4T | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | KC | 15 | 15 | 105 | 1,416 | 13.5 | 45 | 11 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | KC | 16 | 16 | 92 | 1,125 | 12.2 | 69 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 4T | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | KC | 17 | 17 | 110 | 1,338 | 12.2 | 52 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | KC | 15 | 15 | 93 | 984 | 10.6 | 53 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | KC | 16 | 16 | 97 | 823 | 8.5 | 38 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Career | 175 | 166 | 1,004 | 12,151 | 12.1 | 80T | 77 | 9 | 15 | 1.7 | 4T | 2 | 15 | 12 | |
Postseason Stats
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Y/R | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2015 | KC | 2 | 2 | 14 | 151 | 10.8 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | KC | 1 | 1 | 5 | 77 | 15.4 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | KC | 1 | 1 | 4 | 66 | 16.5 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | KC | 2 | 2 | 10 | 131 | 13.1 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | KC | 3 | 3 | 19 | 207 | 10.9 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | KC | 3 | 3 | 31 | 360 | 11.6 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | KC | 3 | 3 | 23 | 299 | 13.0 | 48 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | KC | 3 | 3 | 27 | 257 | 9.5 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | KC | 4 | 4 | 32 | 355 | 11.1 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | KC | 1 | 1 | 7 | 117 | 16.7 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 23 | 23 | 172 | 2,020 | 11.8 | 49 | 20 | 1 | 0 | |
Film and TV Appearances
Travis Kelce has appeared in both movies and television shows.
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Happy Gilmore 2 | TBA | Post-production; cameo appearance |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Catching Kelce | Self | ||
| 2020 | Moonbase 8 | Self | 1 episode | |
| 2024 | Grotesquerie | Ed Laclan | ||
| 2024 | Are You Smarter than a Celebrity? | Host |
Records and Achievements
Travis Kelce holds many impressive records in the NFL.
NFL Records (Any Position)
- Most catches in postseason games: 172
NFL Records (Among Tight Ends)
- Most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards: 7 (2016–2022)
- Most consecutive seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards: 7 (2016–2022)
- Most receiving yards in a single season: 1,416 (2020)
- Most career receiving yards in the postseason: 2,020
- Most seasons with 100+ catches: 3
- Fewest games to reach 10,000 career receiving yards: 140
- Most games with 100+ receiving yards: 37
- Most career receiving touchdowns in the postseason: 20
- Most career postseason games started: 23
Chiefs Team Records (Any Position)
- Most games with 100+ receiving yards: 37
- Most receiving touchdowns in a single game (tied): 4
- Most career receiving yards: 12,151
- Most career receptions: 1,004
- Most career touchdown receptions: 77
Awards and Honors
Travis Kelce has received many awards for his football skills and other efforts.
NFL Awards
- 3× Super Bowl champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
- 4× First-team All-Pro (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021)
- 10× Pro Bowl (2015–2024)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
College Awards
- First-team All-Big East (2012)
Other Awards
- People's Choice Awards – Athlete of the Year (2024)
- Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards – Favorite Male Sports Star (2024)
Other Activities
Helping Others (Philanthropy)
Travis Kelce is known for being very generous. He has won awards for his charity work. In 2014, he received the Chiefs' Ed Block Courage Award. In 2020, he was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Fans also voted him the winner of the NFL's Charity Challenge Award that same year.
In 2015, Kelce started his own foundation called "Eighty-Seven & Running." Its goal is to help young people who don't have many opportunities in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The foundation holds yearly events in Kansas City to raise money. Some of its projects include:
- 2018: Opened a Robotics Lab with Operation Breakthrough for nearly 300 students.
- 2020: Gave $500,000 to create "Ignition Lab," a space to help disadvantaged kids learn about STEM careers.
- 2020: Donated $140,000 to help organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2021: Started "Catching for a Cause," where he donates money for every catch and touchdown he makes.
- 2022: Created a Health and Wellness fund for the University of Cincinnati's student athletes.
- 2024: Donated 25,000 breakfast meals to students.
- 2024: Paid for home repairs for an elderly former athlete in Kansas City.
Kelce also supports other charities like Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Read Across America Day. He has given signed items to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He visits hospitals and schools in Kansas City to support local causes. In 2019, he hosted an event to raise money for the "Rose Brooks Center," which helps women and children dealing with domestic violence. He and his brother Jason have also donated to their high school's foundation. In 2024, he donated $100,000 to the families of children injured in the 2024 Kansas City parade shooting.
Speaking Out (Activism)
Kelce has spoken out about important social issues. In 2017, he was one of the most well-known white NFL players to kneel during the national anthem. This was a protest against police brutality and unfairness in America. After a shooting incident in 2020, Kelce and Patrick Mahomes spoke up for social justice. He supports the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2019, he joined other NFL players to talk with students about racism.
Kelce has also shown support for the LGBT community. In 2021, he said that football should be open to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Entertainment Ventures
In 2016, Kelce starred in a dating show called Catching Kelce. In 2020, he appeared as himself in the TV comedy Moonbase 8. He was also featured in Kelce, a documentary about his brother Jason, which became very popular.
Kelce hosted Saturday Night Live on March 4, 2023, and made another appearance later that year. In 2024, it was announced that he will host a new game show called Are You Smarter than a Celebrity? on Amazon Prime Video.
He has also become a producer for films and documentaries. He was cast in his first big acting role in the FX horror series Grotesquerie.
Kelce is known for singing the Beastie Boys' song "Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" during team celebrations. The Chiefs even made it their touchdown song at their stadium. In 2023, he sang the song with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.
He and his brother Jason also sang on a Christmas album. Their song, "Fairytale of Philadelphia," topped the US iTunes chart. In 2024, Kelce launched his own yearly music festival called Kelce Jam. The first event in 2023 sold out quickly with 18,000 people attending. The 2024 festival had 20,000 fans.
New Heights Podcast (Since 2022)
In September 2022, Travis and Jason Kelce started a weekly sports podcast called New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce. The name comes from their hometown, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. On the podcast, they talk about NFL news, their own games, and other popular topics. They often have special guests, including other NFL players and family members. The podcast is filmed and available on YouTube and other platforms.
Within weeks, it became one of the most popular sports podcasts. Its popularity grew even more when Travis and Jason played against each other in Super Bowl LVII. It reached number one on Apple sports podcasts and number two among all podcasts on Apple. In 2022, Sports Illustrated named it the Sports Podcast of the Year. In 2023, it became the number one sports podcast globally on Spotify.
Business Ventures
Kelce has appeared in many commercials for big brands like Nike, McDonald's, and State Farm. In 2023, Business Insider estimated that he earns $5 million a year from these deals.
In 2019, Kelce started his own health brand, Hilo Nutrition, which sells gummy supplements. In 2020, he launched his clothing brand, Tru Kolors. It was the first brand by an NFL player to team up with an NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2021, Nike released a special sneaker collection inspired by Kelce. He also co-owns a car wash chain called Club Car Wash. In 2023, Kelce and Walmart launched "Travis Kelce's Kitchen," a line of barbecue products.
Kelce has also invested in several companies. He invested in the hot sauce brand Cholula Hot Sauce and earned a lot of money when it was sold. He is also an investor in a tequila brand, a pancake mix company, and a menswear retailer. In 2023, Kelce joined a group of investors, including actor Ryan Reynolds and Patrick Mahomes, to buy a share in the Formula One team Alpine. In 2024, he and his brother Jason became owners of a light beer company called Garage Beer.
Personal Life
.png)
Travis Kelce dated Maya Benberry after his dating show ended in 2016. They broke up in 2017. From 2017 to 2022, he was in a relationship with social media influencer Kayla Nicole Brown.
Kelce began dating singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in 2023. Their relationship has received a lot of media attention. Some people call them "America's very own royal couple." Their highly public relationship and Swift's attendance at games have greatly increased interest in the Chiefs and the NFL.
Some NFL games that Swift attended broke viewership records. For example, a Chiefs–New York Jets game was the most-watched Sunday-night TV show since Super Bowl LVII. A Chiefs–Buffalo Bills playoff game in January 2024 became the most-watched NFL divisional playoff game ever. When the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LVIII, some people called it the "Taylor Swift Bowl." One study estimated that the Kelce–Swift relationship added over $331 million in value to the Chiefs team in six months. In June 2024, Kelce joined Swift on stage at her Eras Tour concert in London.
Kelce enjoys playing golf when he's not playing football. He has played in several celebrity golf tournaments. In 2023, he and Patrick Mahomes won "The Match VIII" against NBA stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Kelce owns homes in the Kansas City area and a condo in Orlando, Florida. He also collects cars.
Images for kids
-
Kelce in 2023
-
Kelce in 2014
-
Kelce taking a photo with US military personnel in 2017
-
Kelce (left) with President Joe Biden in 2023
-
Kelce (center) before a 2023 game against the Denver Broncos
-
Kelce playing against the Washington Football Team in 2021
-
Kelce at a celebrity softball game to help the Lake Health Foundation
-
Kelce's relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has drawn massive media coverage and stimulated viewership and revenue for his team and its league.
