Travis Kelce facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Travis Kelce

Kelce in 2024
No. 87 – Kansas City Chiefs
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1989-10-05) October 5, 1989 (age 35) 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
Kansas City Chiefs (2013–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and 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 First-team All-Big East (2012) NFL records Career postseason receptions: 174 Postseason games with 100+ receiving yards: 9 Career postseason games with 1 or more receiving touchdowns: 15 Career postseason receiving touchdowns by a tight end: 20 Career postseason receiving yards by a tight end: 2,039 Receiving yards in a season by a tight end: 1,416 Seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end: 7 Consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons by a tight end: 7 Career receiving yards per game by a tight end (minimum 200 career receptions): 69.4 Games with 100+ yards receiving by a tight end: 38
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2024
Receptions: 1,004 Receiving yards: 12,151 Receiving touchdowns: 77 Total touchdowns: 80
Player stats at PFR

Travis Michael Kelce (born October 5, 1989) is a professional football player. He plays as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). The Chiefs chose him in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has won three Super Bowls with the team: LIV, LVII, and LVIII. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the 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. This includes four times on the first-team and three times on the second-team. He holds NFL records for tight ends. He has the most consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards (seven). He also has the record for the most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season (1,416 in 2020).

In 2022, Kelce became only the fifth NFL tight end to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. He reached this milestone faster than any other tight end in NFL history. He was also named to the National Football League 2010s All-Decade Team. In 2023, he passed Jerry Rice for the most career playoff receptions. This happened on his way to winning Super Bowl LVIII, which was his fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons.

Outside of football, Kelce has appeared on TV shows and in commercials. He even had his own dating show called Catching Kelce. He also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live. He co-hosts a popular podcast called New Heights with his brother Jason. They talk about football and other fun topics.

Kelce's relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has brought a lot of attention. It has helped increase viewership and interest in his team and the NFL.

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 played football for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Kelce brothers shared in a podcast that they have Croatian family roots.

Travis went to Cleveland Heights High School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He played football, basketball, and baseball there. In football, he was a quarterback for three years. In his senior year (2007), he ran for over 1,000 yards and threw for over 1,500 yards. He scored many touchdowns and earned honors for his great play.

College Football Career

Kelce received a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. He joined his brother Jason, who was already playing there. After not playing in 2008 (called redshirting), he played in 11 games in 2009. He played both tight end and quarterback.

He was suspended for the 2010 season due to a team rule violation. When he returned in 2011, he focused on playing tight end. He caught 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. In 2012, his final college season, he had his best year. He caught 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year. Kelce later earned his college degree in 2022.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

The Kansas City Chiefs picked Travis Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. The Chiefs' new coach, Andy Reid, knew Kelce's brother, Jason. Coach Reid thought Travis was a very talented player. On June 6, 2013, Kelce signed his first NFL contract.

2013 Season: Rookie Year Challenges

Kelce hurt his knee during the preseason. This injury kept him from playing much in his first year. He was placed on injured reserve in October 2013 after surgery. He only played one snap in his rookie season.

2014 Season: First NFL Touchdown

In Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, Kelce scored his first NFL touchdown. It was a 20-yard catch from quarterback Alex Smith. Later that season, he had his first game with over 100 receiving yards against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the 2014 season as the Chiefs' top receiver with 862 yards.

Kelce playing in 2014

2015 Season: First Pro Bowl

Kelce started the 2015 season strong 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 great performance earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The Chiefs made the playoffs that year. In his first playoff game, Kelce had 128 receiving yards against the Texans.

2016 Season: All-Pro Honors

On January 29, 2016, Kelce signed a big contract extension. He had a fantastic season, leading all NFL tight ends with 1,125 receiving yards. He also had 85 catches. He set a career high with 11 catches for 160 yards in a game against the Denver Broncos. He was named a starter in his second Pro Bowl and earned First-team All-Pro honors. The Chiefs won their division and had a playoff bye.

2017 Season: Consistent Performance

Kelce during training camp in 2017

Kelce continued to be a top tight end in 2017. He had several games with over 100 receiving yards. He scored a career-high eight receiving touchdowns that season. He was named to his third straight Pro Bowl. He finished second among tight ends in receiving yards. The Chiefs made the playoffs again, but lost in the Wild Card Round.

2018 Season: Record-Breaking Yards

In 2018, Kelce played with new quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This helped him have an amazing season. He caught 103 passes for 1,336 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He broke the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season. However, another tight end, George Kittle, broke that record later the same day. Kelce was named to the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro. The Chiefs reached the AFC Championship game but lost in overtime.

2019 Season: First Super Bowl Victory

Kelce continued his strong play in 2019. He became the first tight end in NFL history to have four straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. He caught 97 passes for 1,229 yards and five touchdowns. He was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.

Kelce in 2021

In the playoffs, Kelce had a huge game against the Texans. He caught 10 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. This helped the Chiefs come back from a big deficit to win. The Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers. Kelce caught six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

2020 Season: Setting New Records

In 2020, Kelce signed a new contract with the Chiefs. He had an incredible season, setting the single-season receiving yardage record for a tight end with 1,416 yards. He also became the first tight end with two seasons of 100 or more catches. He was named to his sixth Pro Bowl and earned First-team All-Pro honors. The Chiefs reached Super Bowl LV but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kelce set a Super Bowl record for receiving yards by a tight end in that game with 133 yards.

2021 Season: More Milestones

Kelce playing against the Washington Football Team in 2021

In 2021, Kelce became the fastest tight end to reach 8,000 and then 9,000 career receiving yards. He had a career-high 191 receiving yards in a game against the Chargers, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. This was his sixth straight season with over 1,000 receiving yards, an NFL record for tight ends. He was named Second-Team All-Pro and to his seventh Pro Bowl. The Chiefs made it to the AFC Championship game but lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.

2022 Season: Second Super Bowl Victory

Kelce (left) with President Joe Biden in 2023

In Week 5, Kelce tied a Chiefs record with four receiving touchdowns in one game. In Week 11, he set an NFL record for tight ends with his 33rd game of 100 or more receiving yards. He also scored three touchdowns in that game, including another game-winner against the Chargers. In Week 14, he reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming the fifth tight end to do so. He also extended his record to seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He finished the season with 110 catches, 1,338 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

In the playoffs, Kelce set a new NFL postseason record for a tight end with 14 catches in a game. He and the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. This was a special game because his brother Jason played for the Eagles, making it the first Super Bowl with two brothers playing on opposing teams. Kelce caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl, helping the Chiefs win his second championship.

2023 Season: Third Super Bowl Victory

Kelce (center) before a 2023 game against the Denver Broncos

Kelce missed the first game of the 2023 season due to a knee injury. He returned the next week and had a great game against the Chargers, tying his career high with 12 catches and having 179 receiving yards. He also broke the Chiefs' franchise record for career receiving yards. He finished the regular season with 984 receiving yards. He chose not to play in the final regular season game, which ended his record streak of seven straight 1,000-yard seasons.

In the playoffs, Kelce and Patrick Mahomes broke the record for most career touchdowns by a quarterback/receiver duo in the playoffs. In the AFC Championship game, 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, giving Kelce his third Super Bowl ring. The Chiefs became the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots. During the game, Kelce had a strong reaction towards his coach, Andy Reid, after a play. He later apologized for this.

2024 Season: More Records and a New Contract

Kelce with the Chiefs in 2024

On April 29, 2024, Kelce signed a two-year contract extension. This made him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. In Week 4, he became the Chiefs' all-time leader in career receptions, passing Tony Gonzalez. On December 8, he reached 12,000 career receiving yards, becoming the fastest tight end to do so. On Christmas Day, he achieved his 1,000th career reception and became the Chiefs' leader in receiving touchdowns.

In the 2024 playoffs, Kelce had seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round. In Super Bowl LIX, he set a new NFL record for most career Super Bowl receptions with 35. However, the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles. After the game, Kelce said he would take some time to decide if he would keep playing football.

2025 Season: One More Year

On February 27, 2025, Travis Kelce announced that he will play in the 2025 NFL season. This will be his final year under his current contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Postseason Stats

Film and Television Appearances

Travis Kelce has appeared in several films and TV shows.

Film

Television

NFL Records and Achievements

Travis Kelce holds many impressive records in the NFL.

NFL Records (Any Position)

• Most career postseason receptions: 172
• Most career postseason games with 100+ receiving yards: 9
• Most career Super Bowl receptions: 35

NFL Records (Among Tight Ends)

• Most consecutive 1,000-plus-yard seasons: 7 (2016–2022)
• Most 1,000-yard seasons: 7 (2016–2022)
• Most receiving yards in a single season: 1,416 (2020)
• Most career postseason receiving yards: 1,903
• Most seasons with 100+ receptions: 3
• Fewest games to reach 10,000 career receiving yards: 140
• Most games with 100+ receiving yards: 37
• Most career postseason receiving touchdowns: 20
• Most career postseason games started: 23

Chiefs Franchise Records (Any Position)

• Most games with 100+ receiving yards: 37
• Most receiving touchdowns in a single game (tied): 4
• Most career receiving yards: 11,328
• Most career receptions: 1,004
• Most career touchdown receptions: 77

Awards and Honors

NFL

• 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

NCAA

• First-team All-Big East (2012)

Non-football awards

• People's Choice Awards – Athlete of the Year (2024)
• Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards – Favorite Male Sports Star (2024)
• IHeartRadio Music Awards – Favorite Surprise Guest w/ Taylor Swift (2025)

Beyond Football: Philanthropy and Entertainment

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Kelce at a celebrity softball game to help the Lake Health Foundation

Travis Kelce is known for being very generous. He has received awards for his charity work. In 2020, the Chiefs nominated him for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Fans also voted him the winner of the NFL's Charity Challenge Award.

In 2015, Kelce started his own foundation called Eighty-Seven & Running. Its goal is to help young people who are less fortunate. The foundation holds events to raise money for causes in Kansas City and Cleveland. Some of their activities include:

• In 2018, they opened a Robotics Lab for students with Operation Breakthrough.
• In 2020, they helped create a space called "Ignition Lab" to teach kids about STEM careers.
• They also donated money to help schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2021, Kelce started "Catching for a Cause." He donates money for every catch and touchdown he makes.
• In 2022, he created a fund to support student athletes at the University of Cincinnati.
• In 2024, he donated 25,000 breakfast meals to students.
• He also helped an elderly former athlete by paying for home repairs.

Kelce supports many other non-profit groups. He has visited hospitals and schools to help local charities. In 2019, he hosted an event to raise money for the Rose Brooks Center, which helps families affected by domestic violence. He and his brother Jason have also donated to their high school foundation. In 2024, he donated $100,000 to families affected by the 2024 Kansas City parade shooting. He also helps raise money for the Cancer Center at Children's Mercy Hospital.

Speaking Up: Activism

Kelce has spoken out about social justice issues. In 2017, he knelt during the national anthem. This was to protest social injustice and inequality in America. After a police shooting incident, Kelce and Patrick Mahomes spoke publicly about social justice. He supports the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also joined discussions with students about racism.

Kelce has also shown support for the LGBT community. In 2021, he said that anyone should be able to play football, no matter their sexual orientation.

Fun Projects: Entertainment

In 2016, Kelce starred in his own dating show, Catching Kelce. He also appeared in the comedy series Moonbase 8. In 2023, he was featured in Kelce, a documentary about his brother Jason. This film became very popular quickly.

Kelce hosted Saturday Night Live in March 2023. He also made a cameo appearance later that year. In 2024, it was announced that Kelce would host a new game show called Are You Smarter than a Celebrity? on Amazon Prime Video.

Kelce has also worked behind the scenes in entertainment. He was an executive producer for the film My Dead Friend Zoe and the documentary King Pleasure. He was also cast in a major acting role in the FX horror series Grotesquerie.

Kelce is known for singing the Beastie Boys' song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" during Chiefs celebrations. The Chiefs even made it their touchdown song. In 2023, he performed the song with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.

Kelce and his brother Jason also sang on a Christmas album. Their song, "Fairytale of Philadelphia," became very popular online.

In April 2023, Kelce started his own annual music festival called Kelce Jam. The first festival sold out quickly with 18,000 people attending. The second festival in 2024 had 20,000 fans.

New Heights Podcast

In September 2022, Travis and Jason Kelce started a weekly sports podcast called New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce. The name is a tribute to 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.

The podcast quickly became very popular. In February 2023, its popularity grew even more when Travis and Jason played against each other in Super Bowl LVII. It became one of the top sports podcasts in the world. In March 2025, New Heights won the Best Sports Podcast award at the IHeartRadio podcast awards.

Business Ventures

Kelce has appeared in many advertisements for big brands like McDonald's, Nike, and State Farm. In 2022, a breakfast cereal called "Kelce's Krunch" was made in his honor. Part of the money from sales goes to his charity.

In 2019, Kelce started his own health brand, Hilo Nutrition. He also launched his own clothing brand, Tru Kolors. This brand was the first by an NFL player to work with an NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce also has a signature sneaker collection with Nike. He is a co-owner of a car wash chain. In 2023, he launched "Travis Kelce's Kitchen," a line of barbecue products.

Kelce has also invested in different companies. He invested in the hot sauce brand Cholula Hot Sauce and made a good profit. He has invested in a tequila brand, a pancake mix company, and a menswear retailer. In 2023, Kelce joined other investors, including Ryan Reynolds and Patrick Mahomes, to buy a share in a Formula One racing team. In 2024, he and his brother Jason became owners of a light beer company called Garage Beer. In 2025, Mahomes and Kelce will open a steakhouse in Kansas City.

Personal Life

Kelce's relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has brought a lot of attention to his team and the NFL.

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." Kelce's popularity has grown a lot because of his relationship with Swift. He received the most fan votes for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.

Swift's attendance at Chiefs games has greatly increased interest in the team and the NFL. Some games she 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 called it the "Taylor Swift Bowl." One estimate said their relationship added over $331 million in value to the Chiefs team in just six months. In June 2024, Kelce joined Swift on stage at her Eras Tour concert in London.

During the offseason, Kelce enjoys playing golf. He has played in celebrity tournaments and won a long drive contest. In 2023, he teamed up with Patrick Mahomes in a golf match against NBA stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and they won. Kelce owns homes in the Kansas City area and a condo in Florida. He also collects cars.

Images for kids

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  Kelce in 2024

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  Kelce in 2014

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  Kelce in 2017

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  Kelce in 2021

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  Kelce playing against the Washington Football Team in 2021

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  Kelce (left) with President Joe Biden in 2023

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  Kelce (center) before a 2023 game against the Denver Broncos

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  Kelce with the Chiefs in 2024

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  Kelce's relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has drawn massive media coverage and stimulated viewership and revenue for his team and its league.

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  Kelce, participating in a celebrity softball game at Eastlake's Classic Park to benefit the Lake Health Foundation

See also

In Spanish: Travis Kelce para niños